Examiner Analysis: Mastery of application, analysis & evaluation
AQA A level Economics : A Comprehensive Guide for Newer Teachers
Economics is a challenging and rewarding A-level, and critical to any understanding of history or public events. It is, however, more than usually complicated by events, and by the increasing debate in economics over market theory, market failure, macroeconomic policy, the end of the most recent bout of globalisation, and financial markets.
This is a comprehensive course to support new, established, or prospective teachers of the Economics at A-level. It would also be useful for non-specialists interested in broadening their understanding of A Level economics. The sessions are workshop style, with opportunities to ask questions, and to engage in discussion, and materials and resources will be provided.
Gain or deepen their understanding of the content of AQA Economics at A-level
Gain a deepened appreciation of the role Economics can play supporting other subjects and career paths
Take away strategies, advice, and lesson ideas for effective teaching
Take away resources, and strategies for collecting and using contemporary real-world data to enhance student strategies and techniques to gain A03 and A04 points
Increase understanding of exam questions, how to support students in maximising their marks, including those top flyers aiming for A/A*
Heads of Economics Department
Tutors and economics learning coordinators in the independent sector
10.00 – 10:50am: Introduction & Paper 1
Requirements of the board; Examiner reports
Key topics in Paper One which have challenged students in the past; market failure, government failure, forms of nationalisation, and price discrimination, with teaching resources and material for classroom delivery.
11:10 – 12:40pm: Teaching Paper Two
Paper Two and its challenges: financial markets, macroeconomic management, and monetary policy; prudential regulation, ‘glocalisation’ Qe, global monopoly, and Brexit
Noting overlaps and areas where students become confused after paper one : diagrams and examiner reports
Briefing materials for teachers on competition policy, non-tariff barriers, and examples from different industries of supply chain problems following trade regionalisation, as well as material for higher grade students on bubbles and cycles in financial markets
12:40-1:30pm: Lunch and informal discussion
1:30-2:45pm: Teaching Paper 3
Sample Scripts and examiner reports; linking A02 points to A04
Linking trade, exchange rates, and market structures to paper 3
Preparing students for case studies
Useful A02 vocabulary and briefing notes for teachers on key topics to allow for classroom debate, such as financial market management, the advantages and disadvantages of global oligopolies and monopolies, the nature of reserve currency ‘exorbitant privilege’ and alternatives to the post-Bretton Woods system of fiat exchange rates such as bitcoin or the SDR; connections to paper one and paper 3
2:45 – 2:50pm: Short break with informal discussion
2:50 – 3.40pm: Aids and Pitfalls
How to apply answers and develop techniques for potentially disruptive topics to enable students to produce logical, coherent, and substantiated work
Common examples of student misunderstanding and misinformation which undermine A04 achievement