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GCSE astronomy

jambouk

By jambouk
in The Astro Lounge

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carastro

carastro

Posted
Posted

I did this course in 2004/2005 and thoroughly enjoyed it, gave me a good insight into most aspects of Astronomy.  

There were 2 projects to do at home and homework every week I seem to recall.  Did my course at the Greenwich Observatory.  

Some of it was quite hard work, but oh so rewarding.  

I'm really glad I did it.

Carole 

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RT65CB-SWL

RT65CB-SWL

Posted
Posted

Slighty off topic. When I was at school it was CSE's & GCE's. :binkybaby:

They had an astronomy course and I applied for it as one of my science subjects/options. It was refused and I had to sit and do intergrated science instead because my maths was poor! the teachers said. :BangHead:

For my 'specialist' intergrated science project I chose astronomy! :hello2:  

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ronin

ronin

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Ronin, have you looked further into the first document, there are short answer questions too.

James

I would expect there are short questions but when it is not stated that it is an example of just the short questions/answers I get warning bells. The not short bits would I guess amount to 80% of the actual questions which didn't get mentioned.

Short/multiple choice came in way back, I did the first one they tried in O'level maths, physics back in the very early 70's.

So yes I am more then aware of them.

Your post said:

Just found this past paper:

Does not say "example of the short answer paper".

My point was that is not the exam, and is a small actual part of the exam, that is not stated in the post, and the post could be read that you were incorrectly under the impression that the GCSE amounted to that one paper.

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jambouk

jambouk

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My understanding, which is very limited, is there is course work, and an exam. I was under the impression this paper was a fair representation of the exam component.

But that is why i started the thread, to find out more.

James

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RichM63

RichM63

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The best thing to do is to enquire with the authority setting the exam, they will be able to give you an outline of the standards and course work required.

As an ageing O-level, A-level guy I found contradictions in the paper. Q2, b +c did not equate with Q8 b fig3 and some of the questions could have been accurately answered by some smarty pants saying "use Stellarium, CdC or even better ask on SGL".

I was also suprised that there was only 1 maths question at the end. (not studied this for 35 years so am somewhat stumped).

I would love to know more about this GCSE, so please post up any extra information that you find. (if it is course work then not for me, but exam style then maybe = my previous and current lifestyle).

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Floater

Floater

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Aw come on! Lighten up a bit, folks.

I enjoyed seeing the 'paper' and had fun 'sitting' the exam. (I scraped a pass) It seems to me that most of us on SGL are not in/at the stage of life when these exams are important to how our life will go forward. If we need a discussion on how educational standards are shifting/falling/different, then fine.

But from my side, James, thank you. Keep 'em coming, please.

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RichM63

RichM63

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Thanks for this James, the document alone makes for interesting reading giving structure to my otherwise random quest.

I wish this had been around when I was at school I would have devoured the course.

I am going to be redoing the OU Moons course for revision and also the Orion short course in January.

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jambouk

jambouk

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I haven't signed up, I'm just looking. I did the OU moons course but didn't really enjoy it. The Duke University Coursera course was far too difficult!!!!

Like others, it would be nice to have a bit of a structured understanding, without too much maths :)

James

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AndyWB

AndyWB

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FWIW, there is an OU course about the constellation Orion coming up. I liked the Moons one, except for all the geology. I get why it's important, but there was a bit too much trying to identify unpronounceable minerals. I'm guessing the Orion one will lack that, and it's a fair bit shorter.

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