The Extended Project Qualification What makes a student

The Extended Project Qualification

What makes a student stands out? • http: //www. aqa. org. uk/programmes/aqa-baccalaureate/extendedproject/the-aqa-epq

Course at a glance • Choose and area of interest • Complete the initial research homework • You are assigned a tutor • Draft a title and aims of the project formal approval by the centre • Plan, research and carry out your project • Provide evidence of all stages of project development and production for assessment • Deliver a presentation to a non-specialist audience • Review your project journey

Planning of the course • • • Choose and area of interest: now Complete the initial research work- by 16 th October You are assigned a tutor- by 7 th November Draft a title and aims of the project formal approval by the centre- by end of November Planning review with your tutor- by 9 th December Mid- project review with your tutor- by end April Final review with your tutor- by October half term 2020 Completion of your project- by Christmas break 2020 Presentation in front of an audience- first day of term January 2021

What previous EPQ students said…

Biggest Problems Time management + Length of the play (ability to sustain plot) = Trouble…

The Most Important Things I Learnt -Selective Research - Independence -Risk Taking -Balance between structure and not being restrictive -I don’t want to be a playwright….

What I have enjoyed Understanding a topic that is extremely relevant to our modern society. Learning about a different form of economic growth to our own Researching China’s growth in novels, such as the Undercover Economist Conducting an interview with a highly knowledgeable individual based in Shanghai Attending the Emerging Markets Summit

THE CHALLENGES I FACED Time Management Grouping the information into positive and negative effects. Referencing using the Harvard system. I was disappointed with the interview reply from the Chinese students due to the lack of age range and number of respondents .

What I have learnt - how to form detailed and relevant research into structured, analytical and judgmental paragraphs - How to reference properly - To be flexible with the format of your project until you have collected all the information - To continually develop your ideas on the nature and content of the project - To interpret information from academics and come to my own conclusion - To work independently

How is the epq useful for future life? Knowledge of China’s growth is particularly desirable to employers, as the nation becomes a bigger customer to British business. The EPQ has taught me how to properly research this will be useful both at university and in later life. I may have an advantage if the economics modules at university focus on China’s development strategy.

What would I do differently? r e h t r u nf o i t s e u q e h t w o Narr W ould infor n’t have mati inclu on. ded as muc h ba ckgr ound

Evaluation and reflection The foremost effect of growth is the impact it has on the developed economies and its people. Too US centric The Question is so broad – I only gave an overview of effects. The Great Firewall of China and the level of censorship in the country means that I was unable to gauge the true situation.

Initial Thoughts Classical music French composers Form of a recital or concert Wanted to combine Music and French

What makes French Music ‘French’? Events of the Romantic/Classical periods What traits did French compositions have in common? Was there a particularly strong movement of French composers? What were composers inspired by?

The Resulting Idea Linking the outcomes of the French Revolution to the evolution of Western Music during the Romantic period The link between the changes in society and music The link between the ideological consequences of the Revolution and music

How did I do this? Researching the historical consequences of the Revolution Contrasting music before and after the Revolution to show the differences in writing Analysing Music to link these changes to the historical consequences of the Revolution

Issue How could I include the extensive historical context needed within a recital programme? Result: changing the format of my project to an essay

Researching the Essay Biographies of composers Encyclopaedias 1. What was music like before the Revolution? 2. What happened during the Revolution? 3. What were the consequences of the Revolution? 4. Who were the most prominent composers in the period after the Revolution? 5. What was their music like? Historical overviews Musical Scores Essays Interviews with music teachers

What was difficult? Learning how to research an essay Making sure that as wide an audience as possible was included and enriched- writing for people who might not have ever read music before Keeping an eye on the cohesion of the piece as a whole

What have I gained from my EPQ? Seeing how I can apply my skills learnt in my music A-level Seeing the finished product after almost a year Deep understanding of the context of some of my favourite music New skills: extended piece of writing, historical essay

What would I do differently? • Time management: choose when you are going to start it and think about the progression of your project • Make the project more aural

Now it’s your turn…. Initial task • • Your ideas for a topic What motivates you about the topic What motivates you about doing an EPQ Read/ explore two sources Summary of sources How are theses sources informing you research Ideas for other potential resources Ideas for research and development

Deadline for initial task: Wednesday 16 October Submit on Canvas

Thank you!