Practical Endorsement in a Level Chemistry Learner Skills Tick Table

Practical Endorsement in A Level Chemistry – learner skills tick table

The table provided on the following pages allows learners to track their coverage of the skills, apparatus and techniques included in the Practical Endorsement. Learners can place a tick in the relevant cell to indicate that they have demonstrated a skill in a particular context.

The table is designed to be used in conjunction with the PAG activities provided by OCR, but may be adapted for use with activities developed within the centre or sourced elsewhere. This table can be used in the context of both A Level Chemistry A (H432) and A Level Chemistry B (Salters) (H433).

There is no formal requirement for learners to keep records of this type. However, OCR supports approaches in which learners are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and skills development. It can be valuable and motivational for learners to be aware of where they have achieved particular competencies, and for them to be able to see their development over time. This table could be used in a context of self-assessment and/or as the basis for teacher discussion, at the centre’s discretion. This table provides just one approach to skills tracking; many others are possible, and centres are encouraged to use whatever method works for them.

It is possible for teachersto use this table to maintain records as part of the minimum documentary requirements for the Practical Endorsement, but the OCR Tracker spreadsheets available from Interchange provide a less labour-intensive way of doing so.

Where cells are shaded grey, this indicates that the particular skill, apparatus or technique is not explicitly mapped against that OCR activity. However, it is possible that learners demonstrate skills beyond those explicitly mapped. This might, for example, be the case if the activity is modified within the centre, or if learners take the initiative to perform additional work. Therefore, ticks might be placed in any cell based on the learner’s actual performance.

Name: / OCR PAG Activity / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 2.1 / 2.2 / 2.3 / 3.1 / 3.2 / 3.3 / 4.1 / 4.2 / 4.3 / 5.1 / 5.2 / 5.3 / 6.1 / 6.2 / 6.3
Date / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
1.2.1 / a) apply investigating approaches to practical work
b) safely use a range of practical equipment & materials
c) follow written instructions
d) make and record observations/measurements
e) keep appropriate records of experimental activities
f) present information and data in a scientific way
g) use appropriate software and tools to process data, carry out research and report findings
h) use online and offline research skills including websites, textbooks and other printed scientific sources of information
i) correctly cite sources of information
j) use a wide range of experimental and practical instruments, equipment and techniques
1.2.2 / a) use of appropriate apparatus to record a range of measurements (to include mass, time, volume of liquids and gases, temperature)
b)use of a water bath or electric heater or sand bath for heating
c) measurement of pH using pH charts, or pH meter, or pH probe on a data logger
d)(i)use of laboratory apparatus for titration, using burette and pipette
d)(ii) use of laboratory apparatus for distillation including setting up glassware using retort stand and clamps
d)(ii) use of laboratory apparatus for heating under reflux, including setting up glassware using retort stand and clamps
d)(iii) use of laboratory apparatus for qualitative tests for ions
d)(iii) use of laboratory apparatus for qualitative tests for organic functional groups
d)(iv) use of laboratory apparatus for filtration, including use of fluted filter paper, or filtration under reduced pressure
e) use of a volumetric flask, including accurate technique for making up a standard solution
f)use of acid–base indicators in titrations of weak/strong acids with weak/strong alkalis
g)(i) purification of a solid product by recrystallisation
g)(ii) purification of a liquid product, including use of a separating funnel
h)use of melting point apparatus
i)use of thin layer or paper chromatography
j)setting up of electrochemical cells and measuring voltages
k) safely and carefully handling solids and liquids, including corrosive, irritant, flammable and toxic substances
l)(i) measurement of rates of reaction by an initial rate method such as a clock reaction
l)(ii) measurement of rates of reaction by a continuous monitoring method
Name: / OCR PAG Activity / 7.1 / 7.2 / 7.3 / 8.1 / 8.2 / 8.3 / 9.1 / 9.2 / 9.3 / 10.1 / 10.2 / 10.3 / 11.1 / 11.2 / 11.3 / 12.1 / 12.2 / 12.3
Date / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
1.2.1 / a) apply investigating approaches to practical work
b) safely use a range of practical equipment & materials
c) follow written instructions
d) make and record observations/measurements
e) keep appropriate records of experimental activities
f) present information and data in a scientific way
g) use appropriate software and tools to process data, carry out research and report findings
h) use online and offline research skills including websites, textbooks and other printed scientific sources of information
i) correctly cite sources of information
j) use a wide range of experimental and practical instruments, equipment and techniques
1.2.2 / a) use of appropriate apparatus to record a range of measurements (to include mass, time, volume of liquids and gases, temperature)
b) use of a water bath or electric heater or sand bath for heating
c) measurement of pH using pH charts, or pH meter, or pH probe on a data logger
d)(i) use of laboratory apparatus for titration, using burette and pipette
d)(ii) use of laboratory apparatus for distillation including setting up glassware using retort stand and clamps
d)(ii) use of laboratory apparatus for heating under reflux, including setting up glassware using retort stand and clamps
d)(iii) use of laboratory apparatus for qualitative tests for ions
d)(iii) use of laboratory apparatus for qualitative tests for organic functional groups
d)(iv) use of laboratory apparatus for filtration, including use of fluted filter paper, or filtration under reduced pressure
e) use of a volumetric flask, including accurate technique for making up a standard solution
f) use of acid–base indicators in titrations of weak/strong acids with weak/strong alkalis
g)(i) purification of a solid product by recrystallisation
g)(ii) purification of a liquid product, including use of a separating funnel
h) use of melting point apparatus
i) use of thin layer or paper chromatography
j) setting up of electrochemical cells and measuring voltages
k) safely and carefully handling solids and liquids, including corrosive, irritant, flammable and toxic substances
l)(i) measurement of rates of reaction by an initial rate method such as a clock reaction
l)(ii) measurement of rates of reaction by a continuous monitoring method

GCE Chemistry1