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5. 2011 HSC Notes from the Marking Centre — Community and Family Studies

2011 HSC Notes from the Marking Centre – Community and Family Studies

Contents

• Introduction
• Section I
• Section II

Introduction

This document has been produced for the teachers and candidates of the Stage 6 Community and Family Studies course. It contains comments on candidate responses to the 2011 Higher School Certificate examination, indicating the quality of the responses and highlighting their relative strengths and weaknesses.

This document should be read along with the relevant syllabus, the 2011 Higher School Certificate examination, the marking guidelines and other support documents developed by the Board of Studies to assist in the teaching and learning of Community and Family Studies.

General comments

Teachers and candidates should be aware that examiners may ask questions that address the syllabus outcomes in a manner that requires candidates to respond by integrating the knowledge, understanding and skills they developed through studying the course.

Candidates need to be aware that the marks allocated to the question and the answer space (where this is provided on the examination paper) are guides to the length of the required response. A longer response will not in itself lead to higher marks. Writing in excess of the space allocated may reduce the time available for answering other questions.

Candidates need to be familiar with the Board’s Glossary of Key Words, which contains some terms commonly used in examination questions. However, candidates should also be aware that not all questions will start with or contain one of the key words from the glossary. Questions such as ‘how?’, ‘why?’ or ‘to what extent?’ may be asked or verbs may be used that are not included in the glossary, such as ‘design’, ‘translate’ or ‘list’.

Section I

Part B

Question 21

In better responses, candidates described how a case study and an observation were similar and/or different in their methods of collecting data when conducting research.

In mid-range responses, candidates provided some information about a case study and an observation as methods of collecting data, with limited or, in some responses, no comparison between the two methods.

In weaker responses, candidates provided a general point about research methods.

Question 22

In better responses, candidates demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the media and explained how the media impacts on the relationships between the parent and the child, between the parents, and/or between the carer and the dependant.

In mid-range responses, candidates outlined the influence of media on parenting and caring. They showed knowledge about the media, but did not explore specifically how the media influences relationships.

In weaker responses, candidates demonstrated some knowledge of parenting and caring or of the media. These responses were very general and tended to focus on either parenting or the media. There was no mention of the influence of the media on relationships in these responses.

Question 23

In better responses, candidates demonstrated an extensive understanding of the social environment – the home, the community and the workplace. Candidates proposed modifications that would help meet the needs of one group studied.

In weaker responses, candidates provided some basic knowledge of a modification or aspects of the group’s needs.

Question 24

1. In this question, candidates were required to describe equity issues for one of the groups studied. In better responses, they described relevant equity issues for the group.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates provided some information about an equity issue or outlined equity issues for one group.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates simply identified an issue.
   
   Some candidates referred to a group that was not specified in the syllabus.
   
   
2. In better responses, candidates proposed a relevant management strategy and provided information that linked this to an equity issue from the group chosen in part (a).
   
   In weaker responses, candidates provided a strategy but did not link this to an equity issue.

Question 25

In better responses, candidates described a range of relevant legal and social implications of adoption for both the parents and the children.

In mid-range responses, candidates outlined legal and/or social implications of adoption for the parents and/or the children.

In weaker responses, candidates provided some general information about legal or social issues for the parents or the children.

Question 26

1. Most candidates described the impact that time and finances have on parenting and caring, making clear links to the family scenario.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates identified relevant time and/or finance issues but made no link to the scenario.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates provided a relevant point about time or finances.
   
   
2. In better responses, candidates justified how at least two strategies enabled the family to effectively manage their situation. Most candidates proposed both time and finance strategies.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates identified strategies for the family to manage their situation OR justified one strategy.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates made a relevant point about time or finances or about parenting or caring.

Question 27

In better responses, candidates demonstrated a thorough knowledge and understanding of bias and sampling when conducting research. They made judgements about the significance of bias and/or sampling.

In mid-range responses, candidates either explained bias and sampling without making a judgement, or they provided a thorough explanation of either bias and/or sampling.

In weaker responses, candidates identified only an aspect of bias or sampling.

Question 28

In better responses, candidates demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the homeless and how access to resources can be affected by their socioeconomic status and location. They supported their answer with reference to specific resources.

In mid-range responses, candidates provided an outline of how access to resources can be affected by socioeconomic status and/or location. Some candidates demonstrated a sound knowledge of the homeless and the effect of socioeconomic status and location, but were unable to link this to resources.

In weaker responses, candidates did not clearly show how access to resources can be affected by socioeconomic status and location. However, they did provide basic information about the homeless.

Section II

Question 29

1. In better responses, candidates demonstrated a sound knowledge of how legislation protects and supports families. They supported their answer with relevant examples and used appropriate terminology.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates demonstrated a basic knowledge of how legislation protects and supports families. They provided an example to support their answer and used some appropriate terminology.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates demonstrated a basic knowledge of legislation or provided some relevant information about families.
   
   
2. In better responses, candidates made a thorough assessment of the effectiveness of legislation in protecting the welfare of children. They provided relevant examples using appropriate terminology.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates made a sound assessment of the effectiveness of legislation in protecting the welfare of children. They provided some examples. These candidates were able to use some appropriate terminology in their responses.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates provided some knowledge of legislation or child welfare. They communicated with simple and limited ideas.
   
   
3. In better responses, candidates demonstrated a thorough knowledge of two community supports available to the aged for accessing health care and meeting housing needs. They evaluated each of the community supports and provided relevant examples. Candidates understood how community supports contribute to the wellbeing of the aged. They communicated effectively and in an organised, logical and coherent manner using appropriate terminology.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates demonstrated a sound knowledge of two community supports available to the aged for accessing health care and meeting housing needs. They provided some relevant examples.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates provided some knowledge of community supports. They gave examples based on personal experience.

Question 30

1. In better responses, candidates demonstrated a sound knowledge of how a person’s privacy can be invaded through the use of technology. They supported their answer with relevant examples.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates demonstrated a basic knowledge of how a person’s privacy can be invaded through the use of technology. They provided a more general example to support their answer.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates had a basic knowledge of what privacy is or provided some relevant information about technology. Examples were either limited or not provided at all.
   
   
2. In better responses, candidates demonstrated extensive knowledge of one piece of technology and the issues that may arise from the development and use of it. Some relevant examples were provided using appropriate terminology.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates demonstrated a sound knowledge of issues that may arise from the development and use of one piece of technology. They provided some relevant examples and used some appropriate terminology in their responses.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates demonstrated some knowledge of the development and/or use of technology. They communicated with simple and limited ideas.
   
   
3. In better responses, candidates demonstrated extensive knowledge and understanding of the impact of reproductive and household technologies on interpersonal relationships in families. They demonstrated an understanding of how the use of reproductive and household technologies can impact on the wellbeing of families. Relevant examples were given to support their answers and responses were communicated in an organised, logical and coherent manner using appropriate terminology.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates demonstrated a sound knowledge of the impact of reproductive and household technologies on interpersonal relationships in families. They outlined a link between the use of reproductive and household technologies and how these impact on the wellbeing of families. Some examples were given to support their answers. These responses were communicated in an organised, logical and coherent manner using appropriate terminology.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates demonstrated a basic knowledge of reproductive OR household technologies. Some candidates identified lesser impacts on families and gave only general or limited examples. These responses communicated ideas using basic and elementary terminology.

Question 31

1. In better responses, candidates demonstrated a sound knowledge of two needs that are met when individuals participate in unpaid work. They supported their answer with relevant examples.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates demonstrated a basic knowledge of two needs that are met when individuals participate in unpaid work. They provided an example to support their answer.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates had a basic knowledge of only one need met when individuals participate in unpaid work and did not support their answer with examples. Some candidates listed two needs, but did not describe those needs or support their response with an example.
   
   
2. In better responses, candidates demonstrated extensive knowledge of employer responsibilities in the workplace using appropriate terminology. They provided several relevant examples and made a clear link between the responsibilities and how they supported the wellbeing of employees.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates demonstrated a sound knowledge of employer responsibilities and provided some relevant examples. They used some appropriate terminology in their responses.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates identified a responsibility of an employer or made a statement about employee support. They communicated simple and limited ideas.
   
   
3. In better responses, candidates demonstrated extensive knowledge and understanding by evaluating the suitability of three different patterns of work for the specified family to meet their individual and family needs. They demonstrated an understanding of the suitability of different patterns of work and how these contribute to individual and family wellbeing. Candidates provided relevant examples of work patterns and their characteristics, such as entitlements, and of individual and family needs. These responses communicated ideas in an organised, logical and coherent manner using appropriate terminology.
   
   In mid-range responses, candidates demonstrated a sound knowledge of the suitability of three different patterns of work for the specified family to meet their individual and/or family needs OR demonstrated a thorough knowledge of work patterns. These responses tended to focus on the individual and/or family needs and communicated ideas using appropriate terminology.
   
   In weaker responses, candidates provided some knowledge of patterns of work and/or needs and communicated limited ideas using elementary terminology.