NCEA Psychology Scholarship Hui: Getting Our Heads Around Scholarship!

Well, what a great turnout and buzz at our recent online NCEA Psychology Scholarship Hui. It was awesome to connect with other Psychology teachers from around the motu and really dive deep into what needs to be considered when unpacking the new opportunity of a Psychology Scholarship Examination. https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/subjects/scholarship-subjects/psychology/ Wednesday, 12th November 2pm

Sarah updates us on Scholarship Psychology

The whole point of the hui was to share ideas and get a handle on how to help our students achieve that top-tier Scholarship result. We spent a good chunk of time picking apart what high-level analysis and critical thinking actually look like in a Psychology context. It was brilliant to hear how different teachers are breaking down those larger concepts and getting kids to really think for themselves, not just memorise stuff. Key takeaways were that students will need to consume large volumes of information and be able to draw on their wide reading to integrate approaches, perspectives, solutions, and limitations. Unpacking the Assessment Specifications provided an opportunity to consider alternative thinking and also to hear how other experts were interpreting the provided information. 

Finally, we also got stuck into the pitfalls of the Scholarship assessment itself – what often trips kids up, and what makes an answer stand out. It was super helpful to hear examples and share ways to push our students to the next level of independent thinking and communication. Honestly, walking away from the hui, I felt much better equipped to guide my own students towards nailing that Scholarship. It’s always good to connect with other teachers facing the same challenges and share what’s working! If you missed it, you can find the recording link in our members only section.

Ngā mihi,  Sarah Douglas