Student Learning Journal - Module 02 - Learning

-Nelson Mandela (1919-2013)

South African revolutionary anti-apartheid political leader. South Africa’s first Black head of state and president from 1994-1999.

The Junior Cycle

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

your learning and develop important skills that will help you to grow as a person in this ever-changing world, including things to help your mental and physical health.

This section of your school journal contains key information about the Junior Cycle. We want you to be in control of all your learning in Junior Cycle, so we have developed an important list of keywords that you will need to be familiar with as you journey through your Junior Cycle.

Key Skills

The world that we live in is constantly changing. The Junior Cycle recognises that the world will continue to change and wants to equip you with the necessary skills to meet these changes as you grow older. While there are many important learning skills, the Junior Cycle has identified eight key skills that will be central to your learning from first to third year.

The eight Key Skills of Junior Cycle are illustrated on the diagram on the right. You will investigate these throughout your Junior Cycle.

KEY SKILLS

ASSESSMENT

What is assessment?

Assessment is a way of gathering evidence of all the knowledge and skills you have developed.

Why is assessment important at Junior Cycle?

Assessment is a very important feature of Junior Cycle because it gives you a clear picture of all the work you have completed from first to third year. It also allows you to reflect on the skills that you have learned and improvements you have made on your journey.

What are the different types of assessment at Junior Cycle?

There are two main types of assessment at Junior Cycle:

Formative assessment

This is a continuous assessment and happens in most classes in the form of quizzes, homework etc.

Summative Assessment

This happens at the end of third year in an exam marked by the State Examinations Commission.

TYPES OF Assessment SAMPLE

Formative assessment SUMMATIVE assessment Used Used continuously at the end

Formative Assessment happens in most classes. It’s a very useful way for your teacher to assess your work on an ongoing basis. The best way you can prepare for formative assessment is to have a good homework and study routine and to always do your best!

The best way to improve ongoing assessment is to learn from your teacher’s advice and feedback. For example, one teacher might advise you on ways to write better sentences, another teacher might ask you to learn specific facts.

Summative Assessment is more formal and happens at the end of your Junior Cycle. It takes two forms. One is the external exam marked by the State Examinations Commission. The other is the Classroom Based Assessment (CBA), which we will learn about on the next page.

The best way to achieve is to make clear goals, and have a good study and homework plan. This will be explored further in the second section of the Junior Cycle module.

Assessments for the Junior Cycle

Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) are an important assessment in Junior Cycle.

• You will do two CBAs in each subject.

• You will do the first CBA in second year (CBA1).

• You will do the second CBA in third year (CBA2).

• They will be organised by your teacher.

• They will be held in your classroom.

• Your CBA will be reported on in your Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) using one of these four descriptors:

o Exceptional

o Above Expectations

o In Line with Expectations

o Yet to Meet Expectations

Assessment Task

Once you have completed your second CBA, you will be asked to reflect on and write about the skills, knowledge and understanding that you developed from your experience of preparing for and undertaking your CBA2. This is called an Assessment Task. It will take place during class and will be supervised by your teacher. It will be sent to the State Examinations Commission for marking as it makes up 10% of your overall mark for your third year exam in each subject.

Other Areas of LEARNING

One additional exciting feature of the Junior Cycle is that it provides you with the opportunity to engage in a variety of other areas of learning within your school community. It allows you to develop key skills in many other areas of school life. These can include different sporting, cultural, scientific and social activities happening in your school.

Make a list of three other areas of learning in the life of your school that you might be interested in becoming involved in.

Where can I showcase my Other Areas of Learning?

You can showcase your other areas of learning (OAL) in your Profile of Achievement. Remember to write it in the first person and to concentrate on the skills you developed as a result of these activities!

Soccer Ms Mulcahy Team Member GM (Key Skill = Working with others) I participated on the team that reached the Leinster finals.

Junior Cycle Keywords

To download the Other Areas of Learning template, just go to

1.

2.

3.

It was education

thatfnally set mefree SAMPLE

– it made it possible for me to stand up for what I believed in, to take on the authorities when everything was stacked against me.

- Vicky Phelan (1974 -)

A medical rights activist who took a legal case against the State. Named as one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2018.

SENIOR CYCLE

There are a number of different study options at Senior Cycle that cater for a variety of interests and abilities.

Transition Year (TY)

TY is a one-year programme taken after Junior Cycle and before the two-year Leaving Certificate programme. It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes.

Leaving Certificate Established (LCE)

The LCE is a two-year programme that aims to provide learners with a broad, balanced education while also offering some specialisation towards a particular career option. Students following the LCE programme are required to study at least five subjects, one of which must be Irish unless an exemption applies. All subjects are offered at two levels, ordinary and higher. Irish and Mathematics are available at foundation level also.

Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)

LCA is a two-year programme designed for those students who do not wish to proceed directly to higher education or for those whose needs, aptitudes and learning styles are not fully catered for by the other two Leaving Certificate programmes. Participants in the LCA are mainly engaged in work and study of an active, practical and learner-centred nature.

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

LCVP is a Leaving Certificate with a focus on enterprise and preparation for working life. This two-year programme combines the academic strengths of the Leaving Certificate with a dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community.

THE CAO SYSTEM

The CAO form is a very important application form for any 6th year student who wishes to attend third level in Ireland. The CAO stands for the Central Applications Office. It processes application forms for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education institutions. It is important to communicate with the guidance counsellors in your school to receive notifications of dates for submissions, etc.

Register with the CAO before 5pm on 1 February.

Confirm your Level 8 and Level 7/6 courses using the ‘My Application‘ facility before 1 February at 5pm to avoid restrictions.

Remember to place your course choices in genuine order of preference.

Round One Offers are issued following the release of the Leaving Certificate results. If you are accepting an offer, you must do so by the reply date on the offer notification. Other categories of applicant may receive offer notifications before this time.

Edit your application using the ‘My Application’ facility.

Applicants who do not receive a Round One Offer will receive a Statement of Application email. Please follow the instructions in this email and inform the CAO of any errors or omissions.

Provide supplementary information, and any documents required.

Use the free Change of Mind facility from 5 May to 1 July at 5pm to make changes to your application - restrictions apply.

Carefully check the Statement of Application Record when it is sent to you in May and inform the CAO of any errors or omissions immediately.

Offers are issued to eligible applicants until the offer season closes, or until all of the places have been filled, whichever comes first.

Note: Visit www.cao.ie to make sure that all details are up to date!

THE CAO SYSTEM

At Senior Cycle it is important to be aware of the points calculation grid so that you are aware of what points you are capable of achieving. This will enable you to set realistic and achievable goals to successfully get you a place in your chosen college course.

Points Calculation Grid

Important Additional Information SAMPLE

1. 25 bonus points are awarded for higher level Mathematics for H6 grades and above i.e. If you receive a H6 grade, an additional 25 points will be added to the 46 points already awarded for a H6 grade i.e. higher level Mathematics now carries a points score of 71.

2. The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of your best six subjects following the addition of the bonus.

3. The six best results, in recognised subjects, in one Leaving Certificate examination are counted for points computation.

4. One sitting only of the Leaving Certificate examination is counted for points purposes.

5. It is important to check the admissions office of individual third level colleges to get a full understanding of their course requirements beyond the points required.

6. You must first meet the minimum entry requirements in order to be considered for entry to a course.

7. Points for Foundation Level are only awarded by certain third level colleges; check with individual third level colleges to see if they are accepted.

8. All third level colleges award points for results in LCVP Link Modules, in place of a sixth Leaving Certificate subject.

9. Not all third level colleges count LCVP as meeting eligibility requirements in regard to passing subjects so you need to check individual college requirements.

QQI NATIONAL FRAMEWORK

The QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) have developed a system of ten levels used to describe the Irish qualifications system. This ten-level system is known as the National Framework of Qualifications.

It is important to be familiar with this qualification framework so that you can understand the different types of courses you may be interested in pursuing.

Make time to complete your own research or talk to a guidance counsellor about all of your options within the QQI Framework.

How much do you know about the QQI Framework?

Ask yourself the following:

1. What do levels 1-10 stand for?

2. What is FETAC and what level courses do they award?

3. What is the SEC and what level courses do they award?

4. At what level in the QQI Framework is the Leaving Certificate?

5. At what level in the QQI Framework is an honours bachelor degree?

Options after leaving School

The main education and training options available to Senior Cycle students after they leave school are:

Higher Education

These are the courses that you tend to apply to directly through the CAO. These lead to what are called undergraduate degrees and diplomas, known as HETAC awards. Many professional career options are based on having a degree in a specific area of learning.

Further Education

These courses are delivered through local Education Training Boards and SOLAS. These include Post Leaving Certificate courses (PLCs), community training courses, and Youthreach, and lead to FETAC awards.

Public Services

Some of the public services have their own specific training courses which people can apply to directly. These include the Gardaí, Defence Forces, Prison Services, Emergency Services.

State Training

The State provides vocational training in two specific areas for young people wishing to follow careers in Fishing (with Bord Iascaigh Mhara) or Agriculture (with An Teagasc). Students whose parents are already involved in these industries sometimes choose to complete this training in order to be able to take over the family business.

Industry-Supported Programmes

Some specific industries have their own tailored training programmes to encourage young people to join their industry sector. They sponsor some of the training costs through providing apprenticeships and traineeships. Traditionally, apprenticeships were offered in the craft industries, but now they may be available in financial, accountancy and IT services.

Study Abroad

More and more young people are choosing to study abroad, not just in the UK but also in Canada and the USA. These young people have researched the courses on offer in these countries and feel that what they have to offer better suits their needs.

A Study System

It is important to create a study plan at the beginning of the school year to keep you motivated and to avoid feeling stressed about your workload. You will now be walked through a three-part study system.

Plan It

PLAN IT

Planning for Success

Do It

Review it

Step one

Ensure you create a study plan that suits YOU. Make a new one each week as each week will vary in both your school and home life!

Weekly Study Planner

Use this template to write out a planner for each week in school. Be sure to include any school events, including any homework, practicals, assessments and exercise. Also include details of your plans each evening – it is important to have a healthy balance between school work, exercise and rest!

To download the Weekly Study Planner - just go to

Subject Revision Planner

Use this template to write out a plan for one subject area.

To download the Subject Revision Planner - just go to

Tips for using the Subject Revision Planner

Here are some simple techniques for keeping an effective study plan …

• Use the Subject Revision Planner for each of your subjects.

• Divide each subject into key topics.

• Indicate how important each topic is for your assessment.

• Record when you create your study notes and complete POKER (we will examine this in detail on the next page).

• Tick the box when you have completed each review.

POKER is a simple 5-step process which you can use to create notes on any topic you wish to study. Each POKER study session should last about 40 minutes. The steps involved are explained below.

P O E R K

Study System

Tackle any subject easily

This simple system can be followed to break each subject down into bite-sized chunks called topics.

Pre-test

Overview

What do I already know about this topic?

What is the structure of this topic? What are the subheadings?

KKeywords

Etch & Sketch

Retest

Highlight the keywords for the topic. Create a one-page summary that uses the headings and keywords.

What do you now know about the topic?

REVIEW IT.......................................

Step

By creating a study plan and regularly revising, you have made a great start. By devising your own notes and study techniques you will have a much greater knowledge of your subject areas. However, there is one final step in the journey, and this is review!

Why should you regularly review your notes?

Did you ever wonder why you could remember your phone number or date of birth so easily but then struggle to remember what you learned in geography last class or the name of someone you met last week?

The truth is that you need to regularly review your notes in order for the information to go into your long-term memory.

How often should you review your notes?

Ideally, you should review your notes…..

Now that you have created your notes in the form of a one-page summary, you have this knowledge of the topic in your short-term memory.

After 1 hour After 1 day After 1 Week After 1 Month After 3 Months

BUT it won’t be there forever, it’s up to you to review it and make sure the knowledge goes into your long-term memory.

Use the Subject Revision Planner to record each review. You will be surprised at the difference it makes!