ABOUT THIS COURSE

If you are new to teaching OCR A-Level Chemistry then this updated and refreshed course will give you short cuts to teach as a more experienced Chemistry Teacher. It aims to build your confidence to teach difficult concepts in Year 1 of the course and help you prepare students for the increased emphasis on mathematics and practical assessment.

There will be ideas, tips and techniques to nurture students who struggle, while giving you fresh approaches that that will stretch the most able. We will look at ways of boosting exam performance with insights into exam technique, whichever specification you are following.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Explore the main challenges of teaching OCR A-level Chemistry for the first time
• Learn key techniques to use in your teaching that are utilised by more experienced teachers
• Understand how students learn; and how you can maximise their understanding
• Scaffold trickier mathematical questions so that all students can access the method
• Understand how to approach topics that learners find difficult, from the mole to organic reaction mechanisms
• Consider strategies to boost performance in practical assessment, both in the lab and in written exams
• Take advantage of the opportunities to share teaching approaches with colleagues in similar situations

PROGRAMME

The key strands in OCR A level Chemistry

• A brief overview of the content of the A level, including how topics are linked and possible sequences of teaching
• Link with content from GCSE and highlight traditional areas that students struggle with
• Using assessment to identify prior learning and consequences to your teaching the course

Fundamental concepts and skill development

• Structure and bonding and the application for exam questions
• Energy changes, reaction rates and equilibria; the language of Le Chatelier
• Scaffolding redox questions
• Planning the development of practical skills and practical endorsement

Developing mathematical skill

• Scaffolding mathematical content for both mathematicians and non-mathematicians
• Embed mathematical content into your course
• Support students in developing the required skills
• Consider techniques for teaching the mole
• Develop strategies to boost student confidence

From molecules to mechanisms in organic chemistry

• Get the basics right: teaching the key specification content well
• Unique ways of embedding mechanisms
• Teaching analytical techniques for exam success</li

Preparing Students for the OCR Exam

• Overview: what are examiners looking for?
• What makes an A/A* candidate? Ensure excellent teaching to stretch able candidates to achieve their best
• Teach effective examination technique: making the most of multiple choice
• Prepare for extended questions and look at ‘Levels of Response’
• Link concepts: the key to success
• From lab to written exam – boost performance though high impact teaching