Using examination walkthrough videos in GCSE History
20 March 2024
Richard Kerridge, History Subject Advisor and Rachel Cliffe, Former Head of History, The Morley Academy, Leeds
One thing we try to do at OCR is react positively to what teachers need. We know that the two exam walkthroughs we produced for GCSE History B (The People’s Health, c.1250 to present and Living Under Nazi Rule, 1933–1945) are very popular and we were always being asked for more.
These twenty-minute videos walk the viewer through what is expected of them in that particular question paper and contain some hints for revision.
We are delighted that Rachel Cliffe was able to make four more videos for us and share her thoughts on the various ways they could be used.
The four new videos are:
The examination walkthrough videos can be used by teachers, trainee teachers, support staff and students in multiple ways to support examination preparation. This blog explores different ways in which the videos can be used and will hopefully inspire staff to use the resources both inside and outside the classroom.
Using the walkthroughs within lessons
In the classroom, teachers could use the videos as a revision lesson to prepare students for an upcoming assessment or before the Year 11 exams. Students can watch the video as a whole class with the teacher pausing the video at various points for students to engage with the tasks or exam questions.
The teacher could personalise the revision lesson to the purpose of the lesson. The focus could be on:
- gathering top tips and creating a top tips page for each exam question type, or
- model answers and annotating model answers from the video, or
- answering the 2023 exam questions after watching the guidance.
Depending on access to technology, students could also watch the videos independently in the lesson with a specific task set by the teacher to monitor their revision.
All the relevant materials for staff can be found on Teach Cambridge. Each video references where examples/model answers are derived from so staff can easily find and make use of those examples alongside the video. This could reduce workload for teachers as the resource is created and accessible but still provides a meaningful and productive revision lesson.
Outside the classroom
The videos could be set as revision homework tasks for students to watch the videos independently. The homework could be to watch the entire video and create a top tips guide or answer the 2023 exam questions. Alternatively, the homework could be to watch clips of each exam question type over a series of weeks and create a cumulative revision guide or answer the 2023 exam question series which could then be discussed or self-assessed at the start of the lesson the homework is due.
This option is dependent on internet access for students. If this is an issue in your school you could print out copies of the slides to help students complete the homework. This would promote independent revision whilst ensuring that students are focused on relevant and productive tasks.
Newly-qualified and trainee teachers
The videos could also be used as professional development for new staff, trainee teachers and support staff. New staff to a history department could have experienced or taught a different exam board for several years and these videos provide a useful starting point for the exam question type and what is expected for each question.
Equally, trainee teachers can experience several different exam boards depending on their placements. The video could be sent to them to help them prepare for starting at your school and teaching a particular year group. For example, if they were timetabled to teach Year 10 and they will be studying the Elizabethan unit, they could watch this in advance and during the observation weeks they could discuss the exam question styles with the host teacher.
The Head of History may wish to delve further into the exam question types through moderation, collaborative planning, and reading examiners’ reports but the walkthrough videos are a useful resource for the initial introduction to OCR GCSE History B and the exam questions.
Student support staff
If a member of support staff works with a particular student or group of students in your classroom then you could ask them to watch the relevant video to improve their confidence in the history classroom and engage in conversations with members of the class. Just be wary of creating additional workload for support staff. You may wish to ask them to watch it during your lesson while the class completes an independent task and you support those students.
Considering switching?
Finally, if you are considering switching from another board to OCR B, then the examination walkthrough videos could be used to show staff the question types, the simplified mark schemes, and the model answers and provide discussion points for staff and senior leaders. The videos can also be used to assist your case for switching exam boards as they exemplify the level of support offered to staff by the OCR subject advisors.
Stay connected
Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any questions, you can email us at history@ocr.org.uk call us on 01223 553998 or message us on X (formerly Twitter) @OCR_History. You can also sign up to receive subject updates to keep up-to-date with the latest news, updates and resources.
About the authors
Richard joined Cambridge International Assessment in September 2019 and OCR in October 2022. Prior to joining OCR, he taught History for seventeen years. He was a Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Head of Humanities, SSAT Lead Practitioner as well as writing and contributing to textbooks and exam-board resources. He has presented at the Historical Association and Schools History Project Annual Conferences and for Keynote Education. Richard is very proud to be an Honorary Fellow of the Historical Association. He enjoys being surrounded by his family, friends and two dogs.
Rachel Cliffe is former Head of History, The Morley Academy, Leeds. She is also a Chartered Teacher and ECT facilitator for UCL.