BTEC First Award in Application of Science - specification - Edexcel

QUALIFICATION
5 Programme delivery
Edexcel does not define the mode of study for BTEC qualifications. Your centre is free
to offer the qualification using any mode of delivery (such as full-time, part-time,
evening only or distance learning) that meets your learners’ needs. As such, those
already employed in the applied science sector could study for the BTEC First Award
on a part-time basis, using industry knowledge and expertise gained from the
workplace to develop evidence towards meeting the unit assessment criteria.
Whichever mode of delivery is used, your centre must ensure that learners have
appropriate access to the resources identified in the specification and to the subject
specialists who are delivering the units. This is particularly important for learners
studying for the qualification through open or distance learning.
When planning the programme, you should aim to enhance the vocational nature of
the qualification by:
● using up-to-date and relevant teaching materials that make use of scenarios
relevant to the scope and variety of employment opportunities available in the
sector – these materials may be drawn from workplace settings where this is
feasible, for example, drawing on local industrial processes that can exemplify
the way firms draw on scientific principles in manufacturing
● giving learners the opportunity to apply their learning through practical activities
to be found in the workplace, for example, how key principles of biology, chemistry
and physics and investigative techniques underpin how scientific organisations
operate
● including employers in the delivery of the programme and, where appropriate,
in the assessment – you may, for example, wish to seek the cooperation of local
employers to provide examples of current work procedures and practices
● liaising with employers to make sure a course is relevant to learners’ specific needs
– you may, for example, wish to seek employer help in stressing the importance of
effective teamwork, verbal and written communication, and mathematical skills in
ensuring good laboratory practice.
Resources
As part of the approval process, your centre must make sure that the resource
requirements below are in place before offering the qualification.
● Centres must have appropriate physical resources (for example, equipment, IT,
learning materials, teaching rooms) to support the delivery and assessment of
the qualification.
● Staff involved in the assessment process must have relevant expertise and/or
occupational experience.
● There must be systems in place to ensure continuing professional development for
staff delivering the qualification.
● Centres must have appropriate health-and-safety policies in place relating to the
use of equipment by learners.
● Centres must deliver the qualification in accordance with current equality
legislation.
● Your centre should refer to the Teacher guidance section in individual units to
check for any specific resources required.
BF029957 – Specification – Edexcel BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Application of Science –
Issue 1 – March 2012 © Pearson Education Limited 2012
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