Thursday, 16 January 2014

Should the use of fully autonomous weapons be banned


Should the United Nations draft a global treaty outlawing the use of fully autonomous weapons?

L/O: to refine exam technique for 18 mark style questions by using the PEEL writing technique to enable you to reach your target grades

Starter:


Campaigners against the development of fully autonomous weapons, known as "killer robots", have urged the United Nations to draft a global treaty outlawing their use.
Professor Noel Sharkey, from the International Committee for Robot Arms Control, travelled to Geneva to lobby members of the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
It will vote on Friday on whether it should consider imposing a moratorium on unmanned weaponry.
Mr Sharkey told the BBC's Today programme that the launch of pilotless planes like the US navy's X-47B moved the world a step closer to the deployment of fully autonomous weapons.
It made aviation history in July by successfully landing on a aircraft carrier, without any human involvement.
Related links


Todays Question:

Should the United Nations to draft a global treaty outlawing the use of fully autonomous weapons?


Explain the pros and cons. In your answer, you might want to talk about: (click link to find out more)












as well as your own ideas.

Include 2 PEELs for advantages and 2 PEELs for disadvantages, and a PEEL for your own opinion in conclusion.

18 marks available

Mark Scheme:
Level 5: (PEEL)
·                     A well-argued discussion, using stimulus or own ideas effectively showing understanding and evaluation.
·                     A variety of points are discussed showing understanding.
·                     Text will be readable and spelling, grammar & punctuation almost faultless.
Level 4: (PEE)
·                     A developed answer with good attempt to use stimulus material or own ideas, showing clear understanding and evaluation.
·                     Text will generally be legible and spelling, grammar and punctuation will show considerable accuracy.
Level 3: (PE)
·                     A reasonable answer with some attempt to use stimulus matieral and/or own ideas, but lacking understanding and knowledge.
·                     Examples used but explained
·                     Text will generally be legible and spelling, grammar and punctuation will show reasonable accuracy.
Level 2: (P)
·                     A limited answer with little use of stimulus or own ideas.
·                     Answer is unclear and example not used.
·                     Text may have occasional problems of understanding and spelling, grammar and punctuation will be fairly accurate.
Level 1:
·                     A very basic answer with limited knowledge.
·                     No examples used
·                     Text will be difficult to read and spelling, grammer and punctuation may be inaccurate to cause problems with understanding.


Thursday, 9 January 2014

Celebs v Privacy

L/O: to refine exam technique for 18 mark style questions by using the PEEL writing technique to enable you to reach your target grades

Starter:
Match the celeb to the 2013 news story



Todays Question:
Last year, the phone hacking scandal was ‘big’ news within the celebrity world, with lots of talk about the invasion of celebrity’s private lives.

However, with the introduction of reality tv, many celebrities are now made famous through the media.

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the media's involvement in celebrities lives.

In your answer, you might want to talk about:
  • Promotion; for example their latest film/single etc.
  • Relationships & families
  • Actions they take in their private lives e.g. hobbies
  • as well as your own ideas.

Include 2 PEELs for advantages and 2 PEELs for disadvantages, and a PEEL for your own opinion in conclusion.

18 marks available




Mark Scheme:
Level 5: (PEEL)

  • A well-argued discussion, using stimulus or own ideas effectively showing understanding and evaluation.
  • A variety of points are discussed showing understanding.
  • Text will be readable and spelling, grammar & punctuation almost faultless.
Level 4: (PEE)
  • A developed answer with good attempt to use stimulus material or own ideas, showing clear understanding and evaluation.
  • Text will generally be legible and spelling, grammar and punctuation will show considerable accuracy.
Level 3: (PE)
  • A reasonable answer with some attempt to use stimulus matieral and/or own ideas, but lacking understanding and knowledge.
  • Examples used but explained
  • Text will generally be legible and spelling, grammar and punctuation will show reasonable accuracy.
Level 2: (P)
  • A limited answer with little use of stimulus or own ideas.
  • Answer is unclear and example not used.
  • Text may have occasional problems of understanding and spelling, grammar and punctuation will be fairly accurate.
Level 1:
  • A very basic answer with limited knowledge.
  • No examples used
  • Text will be difficult to read and spelling, grammer and punctuation may be inaccurate to cause problems with understanding.

PEEL technique

A reminder of the PEEL technique in General Studies (link to other subjects, where have you done this before?)

Point - make your point
Example - back it up with own experience, quote from stimulus material or figures
Explain - how does the example answer the original question
Link - use the language of the question and reiterate the point.

e.g. What advice would you give to Ross' parents to help ross overcome his weight problem?

You need to change the meals you eat as a family.  Take favourite meals and change them into healthier versions, for example instead of burger & chips, try grilled steak with baked potato and a large salad.  This is not only filling but contains 4 of the elements that make a balanced diet (vegetables, carbohydrates, protein & fats).  This will help reduce the amount of fat Ross is eating and therefore will help him to lose weight.

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Energy Saver

L/O: to practice answering section B exam questions, using the PEEL technique
L/O: to be able to fully explain different ways to save energy


Starter:
Using the stimulus material given to you, find the answers to the following question:

  1. What word or phrase is used for the period of ten years?
  2. Identify three concerns which industry has about the increase in future energy costs within the UK.
Main:
  • Research - you have 15 minutes to do some research on the topic of energy saving, suggested areas include:
  • different ways to save energy - both individually and nationally
  • facts & figures about energy saving
  • impact of energy saving  
  • You may create a research document, no longer than one page of A4 which can be printed at the end of the 15 minutes.
AFL:
  • Share some ideas on the research gathered, can you add anything to your own document?
  • If you want to, print out your research document (no more than one page each) - you will not have access to your computer for the rest of the lesson.

MAIN TASK - Section B question - worth 10 marks

Use the PEEL technique in your answer
Point - make your point
Example - back it up with own experience, quote from stimulus material or figures
Explain - how does the example answer the original question
Link - use the language of the question and reiterate the point.

e.g. What advice would you give to Ross' parents to help ross overcome his weight problem?

You need to change the meals you eat as a family.  Take favourite meals and change them into healthier versions, for example instead of burger & chips, try grilled steak with baked potato and a large salad.  This is not only filling but contains 4 of the elements that make a balanced diet (vegetables, carbohydrates, protein & fats).  This will help reduce the amount of fat Ross is eating and therefore will help him to lose weight.


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Question:

Urgent steps need to be taken to tackle climate change. The earlier action is taken, the more effective it will be. If we want to hand on this world to our children in a fit state, we must do something about our emissions and climate change. Over 40% of current CO2 emissions are caused by the choices we make as individuals. Simple actions can save money and energy; and there are many things you can do to reduce your CO2 emissions. The UK Government has recently published a range of materials available to the general public stressing the need for increased awareness and action.


Explain what actions a UK family could take within the home to save energy and to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions that they produce.
  • Include a minimum of 3 fully explained actions (PEEL) for full marks.
Plenary:
Using the mark scheme below, what mark would you give yourself for the work you have completed today? Write this on the back of your work and add a note explaining why you think this.

Mark Scheme
  • 8–10 Provides a well-argued discussion. Uses the stimulus and/or includes own evidence to show understanding and relevant knowledge. Communicates ideas clearly and accurately and shows good evaluation. Spelling, grammar and punctuation are almost faultless.
  • 4–7: A developed answer with some attempt to use the stimulus material and/or own evidence. Communication of ideas and evaluation are reasonably good. Spelling, grammar and punctuation are reasonably accurate.
  • 1–3: A basic answer with very little evidence of use of stimulus materials or own ideas. Lacks understanding and relevant knowledge. Communication is weak. Spelling, grammar and punctuation may impede understanding.

Friday, 13 December 2013

Should parents consider whether their child has been naughty or nice when buying Christmas presents?


What is considered nice?
What is considered naughty?  Can then redeem themselves?

Task:
Create a naughty and nice tick list for parents, add a point score for naughty/nice ticks, with a key that parents could use to identify the type of present their child should get!

Get a substantial list for both nice and naughty (at least 10 of each) and decide how many points they are worth.  What kind of presents would they get depending on their total score?

Example:
Nice
Naughty
Cleaned room regularly this year

Didn’t say good morning regularly

Helped an old lady/man cross the road

Got DTs at school

Made cup of tea for mum every week

Forgot to say thank you to parents


5 points for a Nice tick
-3 points for a Naughty tick

0-5:        Lump of coal & satsuma
6-10:      DVD
11-15:    Games console

Plenary:
Create a blog post on your own General Studies blogs, answering today's question with your own opinion and adding your tick list too.



Sunday, 1 December 2013

Drive iQ - Driving Awareness modules

Over the next 2 weeks, you will work through material designed to prepare you for the driving.

How many of you are hoping to drive next year?  Motorcycles / cars?

These modules will prepare you for getting out on the road, for your theory test and ultimately safety on the road.

Drive iQ

Work through the modules at your own pace (approximately 2 a lesson)

Register with your school email:  09forename.surname@wildern.hants.sch.uk

Christmas campaign - Stop drink driving

Watch the following adverts.  Can you find other examples?

TASK:
In groups of 3 or 4, you will plan a campaign and design resources for it.  Your campaign should be aimed at 17-24 year olds to persuade them not to drink and drive, especially over the Christmas/New Year holidays.

You need to create at least 3 different resources to support your campaign, these could include:
  • Television advert
  • Radio advert
  • Animation
  • Posters
  • Bumper stickers
  • Wristbands
  • Any other products you can think of
Deadline: Tuesday 17 December 2013, 4 x lessons: prizes for the best campaign in class / across classes.

You need a slogan, look here for some ideas:
Drink Driving Awareness slogans

Check out this campaign by Hampshire Constabulary 

Below are links to some storiesthat maybe useful for your campaign.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-25054251
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-25053033
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-25032346
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24835192
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-24841039
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-24773237
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24644206