It is that dreaded day of the year…. Moderation day! But should it be? This is THE day prior to the examination period which can have an extremely positive impact on the grades your students achieve if it is done correctly. Below are 5 ways in which you can make the day run smoothly and efficiently whilst achieving the best marks possible for your students.
1. Match levels of performance correctly
Ensure students are competing in their strongest sport against those of a similar standard. This is, without doubt, the most important factor in allowing your students to achieve their potential. A student who is representing their nation should not be playing a game of badminton against a fellow student who occasionally plays against his/ her siblings in the garden!
Failure to match-up similar levels of performance for a live moderation will mean that the high achieving performer will not be able to show his/ her full range of skills and will therefore be unable to access the higher marks.
It will also result in the less experienced performer failing to return the vast majority of shots resulting in the same problem. If you do have high achieving students who cannot be suitably challenged with the school/ college on the day you should consider pre-recording all evidence.
2. Ensure everyone is clearly visible
In order to make life easier for everyone, students should be clearly identifiable. This won’t be a problem in individual sports but for team games get the students to wear a brightly coloured bib (Where appropriate) or headband. Don’t just rely on different coloured laces or ‘It’s the one with the navy blue shorts!’ This is particularly important should you wish to challenge the marks awarded by the moderator (See point 5).
3. Put students in their best positions
Ensure your students are playing in the best position possible to demonstrate the area of assessment that the moderator has chosen. A great example here is in netball. If the examiner has asked to see the defensive skills of a netballer, it would be very difficult for them to demonstrate the full range of skills if they are playing at goal shooter. Even if they are goal shooter put them in at goal attack instead or, if they are able enough to do so, put them in a defensive position.
4. Have contingency plans in place
Have able back-ups readily available. The last thing you want is for only 20 of your 22 footballers to turn up on the day and not be in a position to show a full game of football. This can be achieved by having other members of the PE cohort on standby or even asking regular players in other subjects to help out should it be required.
5. Have all technology ready
ICT that works! As mentioned in point 1, it is highly likely that some students will have pre-recorded their evidence due to the lack of facilities on the school site/ level of performance. Prior to the start of the moderation ensure that the ICT is working efficiently. Can you book out the room with the fastest computer and does it have a projector? Is your video camcorder fully charged? Don’t forget, all performances on the day should be recorded as this is your evidence should you wish to challenge a grade awarded.
Good luck when moderation day arrives and we hope you have found the information above of use.
For more information on the specific requirements of your examination board please speak to your exams officer who should have received all of the essential information or visit your examination board website.
