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BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2011-02-09 14:40
There’s good news for underclassmen who are planning to take the Biology or US History AP exams. By the 2012-2013 school year, the College Board will implement changes in these AP tests.
The bulk of these changes are clearer guidelines for what will be on the exams, an increased emphasis on critical thinking rather than content, and for AP Biology, an attempt to make labs more stimulating and less structured.
Biology teacher Andrew Harcourt said, “In the last 30 years, I’ve seen AP Biology grow from a demanding course to a course that has pushed the limits of students’ capabilities to the edge.†He believed that “it’s time for the change.â€
The new revisions will allow students to design their own labs to solve problems and make students comfortable with the scientific process of experimentation.
“The labs were too much memorization,†former biology student Pannawit Chanyarungrojn ’12 said.
U.S. History teacher Joseph Lyons also praised the new curricula’s emphasis on developing skills over memorization. Although he said that he couldn’t say much without actually seeing the test, he thought that “the movement away from content towards skills is more like what we’re trying to do at Deerfield.â€
“Critical thinking is arguably the most important part of a history course. But at the same time, without knowing the sequence of events, it is difficult to accurately interpret any historical event. I believe the College Board will need to strike the right balance,†said Freddy Rockwood ’11.
Still, don’t expect biology or US History to become an easy course. The College Board will cut down on the multiple-choice but will focus more on the writing and critical thinking sections.
As Elvis Ikwa ’11, a current biology student, said, “The tests will still be challenging, just a different kind of difficult.â€
http://scroll.deerfield.edu/?p=5075
Since the cat knows there's some high school students here
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Mama wrote on 2011-02-09 18:21
This is a great idea. I like it.
once they strike that balance, hopefully it'll become the norm.
critical thinking is arguably the most important skill you can possess. But you need the knowledge to back it up!
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woohoohelloppl wrote on 2011-02-09 19:58
My APUSH class took a pilot test for the "new type." There were so many passages to read. @_@
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paladin wrote on 2011-02-09 20:14
Time to talk to my ap teacher about this lols
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Shirayuki wrote on 2011-02-09 20:29
Too bad I'm taking AP Bio now.
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Adelynn wrote on 2011-02-09 20:56
I know I learn things better when I find them more engaging. It's probably why I learn subjects I don't like if the teacher is funny. I still don't like History, but with certain teachers, I'd at least get to enjoy the class. I like this idea. Being able to memorize is important, but applying things is more useful.
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Taycat wrote on 2011-02-10 04:50
Too bad I already took both of those classes.
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gentrone wrote on 2011-02-10 04:53
Quote from Mama;327593:
This is a great idea. I like it.
once they strike that balance, hopefully it'll become the norm.
critical thinking is arguably the most important skill you can possess. But you need the knowledge to back it up!
imo not everybody has the ability to think critically, even if you teach them.
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Taycat wrote on 2011-02-10 04:55
I know I can't think critically.
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Chillax wrote on 2011-02-10 05:50
I thought the AP US test was pretty easy, probably because of my awesome teacher.
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Mama wrote on 2011-02-10 07:13
Quote from gentrone;328758:
imo not everybody has the ability to think critically, even if you teach them.
I thought it was just something you practice, but I'm not certain.
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Tatsu wrote on 2011-02-10 09:56
I prefer memorization... critical thinking involves, y'know, critical thinking.
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Cynic wrote on 2011-02-10 10:13
Huh. US History I understand.. but Biology? It's so easy!
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Taycat wrote on 2011-02-10 19:32
Quote from Cynic;328992:
Huh. US History I understand.. but Biology? It's so easy!
Apparently it's so easy, they're attempting to make it more difficult.