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GCSE Psychology doesn't have coursework, so external candidates can sit the regular GCSE.
[[GCSE]] Psychology doesn't have coursework, so external candidates can sit the regular GCSE. The specifications for GCSE Psychology cover different topics, so what you study will depend on which exam board you choose.  There is not necessarily much overlap between the specifications, eg AQA and Edexcel share only about a quarter of their topics.  This means that there is no such thing as a general psychology GCSE revision or textbook - your materials have to be specific to the topic or syllabus. However, there are good textbooks available which cover each syllabus.
 
   
  +
When you wish to take the exam, and what exam boards your exam centre is registered with, determines which Psychology GCSEs you can sit.
== Edexcel GCSE Psychology ==
 
   
  +
New GCSEs (9-1) are now being introduced for GCSE Psychology
[http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/psychology/Pages/default.aspx Edexcel GCSE Psychology] has no coursework or controlled assessment, so can be taken by home-ed students without any special arrangements.
 
  +
* Summer 2019 - first exams for the new GCSEs (9-1)
   
 
The specifications for old GCSE Psychology (A-G) cover different topics, so what you study will depend on which exam board you choose.  There is not necessarily much overlap between the specifications, e.g. AQA and Edexcel share only about a quarter of their topics.  This means that there is no such thing as a general psychology GCSE revision or textbook - your materials have to be specific to the topic or syllabus. However, there are good textbooks available which cover each syllabus.
Two papers:
 
   
  +
The new Psychology (9-1) has more subject content determined by the Government so specifications have more overlap.
Paper 1 - 1hr 15mins, multiple choice and short answers.
 
  +
==<u>'''Edexcel GCSE Psychology - 1PS0 (2019 first examination)'''</u>==
*Topic A: How do we see our world?  Optical illusions, art, perception
 
*Topic B: Is dreaming meaningful? 
 
Paper 2 - 1 hr 45mins - some longer answers eg up to a page of A4.
 
*Topic C: Do TV and video games affect young people's behaviour?
 
*Topic D: Why do we have phobias? Treatment options.
 
*Topic E: Are criminals born or made?
 
You can find out about the specification and download past papers and answers on the [http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/psychology/Pages/default.aspx Edexcel GCSE Psychology page].
 
   
 
[https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/psychology-2017.html Edexcel GCSE Psychology] has no coursework or controlled assessment, so can be taken by home-ed students without any special arrangements.
The specification changed from 2009 to 2012 only in terms of no longer being modular; the content is unchanged.
 
   
  +
The Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) in Psychology consists of two externally-examined papers. Students must complete all assessment in May/June in any single year.  
[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edexcel-GCSE-Psychology-Student-Book/dp/1846904838 Edexcel GCSE Psychology Textbook]- covers the whole course and has positive feedback from members of the Yahoogroup.
 
   
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Paper 1 (*Paper code: 1PS0/01) - 1 hour and 45 minutes
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3yja89lYiciby1MNHVzcWpONms/edit?usp=sharing Printable Revision Workbook for Edexcel GCSE Psychology by SparksPsych] - wonderful psychology resource by teacher Mr Sparks.
 
  +
* Topic 1: Development – How did you develop?
  +
* Topic 2: Memory – How does your memory work?
  +
* Topic 3: Psychological problems – How would psychological problems affect you?
  +
* Topic 4: The brain and neuropsychology – How does your brain affect you?
  +
* Topic 5: Social influence – How do others affect you?
  +
Paper 2 (Paper code: 1PS0/02) - 1 hour and 20 minutes (Topics 6 to 10 are optional; students must study two of them. Topic 11 is compulsory.)
  +
* Topic 6: Criminal psychology – Why do people become criminals?
  +
* Topic 7: The self – What makes you who you are?
  +
* Topic 8: Perception – How do you interpret the world around you?
  +
* Topic 9: Sleep and dreaming – Why do you need to sleep and dream?
  +
* Topic 10: Language, thought and communication – How do you communicate with others?
  +
* Topic 11: Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research?
   
  +
=== <u>'''AQA GCSE Psychology - 8182'''</u> ===
See the resources section below for some sites dedicated to Edexcel GCSE Psychology.
 
   
== AQA GCSE Psychology ==
+
[https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/psychology/gcse/psychology-8182 AQA GCSE Psychology] Course code 8182
   
  +
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
[http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/psychology/gcse/psychology-4180 AQA GCSE Psychology] Course code 4180
 
   
  +
Paper 1: Cognition and behaviour (1 hr, 45 mins)
2 written exams to make up the 'full course', or available as a 'short course' worth half a GCSE, with just the first paper. However, you cannot 'top up' the short course GCSE with a second paper to gain the full GCSE; both papers have to be taken in the same exam season to do this.
 
  +
* Memory
  +
* Perception
  +
* Development
  +
* Research methods
  +
Paper 2: Social context and behaviour (1 hr, 45 mins)
  +
* Social influence
  +
* Language, thought and communication
   
  +
* Brain and neuropsychology
2 x 1h30 minute exams.
 
  +
* Psychological problems
   
 
=== <u>'''OCR GCSE Psychology - J203'''</u> ===
[http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-GCSE-Psychology-Karen-Boswell/dp/1408503956/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368994786&sr=1-1&keywords=gcse+psychology AQA textbook for Psychology]
 
   
 
[https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/psychology-j203-from-2017/ OCR GCSE Psychology ] - course code J203
[http://www.hlhs.co.uk/sites/default/files/countdownExams/subjectRevision/psychology2013.pdf AQA GCSE Psychology Revision Guide] from Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School.
 
   
  +
Paper 1: Studies and applications in Psychology 1 (01) - 1 hr 30 mins
== OCR GCSE Psychology ==
 
   
  +
Paper 2: Studies and applications in Psychology 2 (02) - 1 hr 30 mins
[http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-psychology-j611-from-2012/ OCR GCSE Psychology from 2012] - course code J611
 
   
  +
Component 01: Studies and applications in Psychology 1
This is for first examination in summer 2014.
 
  +
* Criminal psychology
   
  +
* Development
For GCSE Psychology candidates must take units B541, B542 and B543.
 
  +
* Psychological problems.
   
  +
* The research methods focus on designing an investigation.
B541- 1h15m written paper
 
  +
Component 02: Studies and applications in Psychology 2
  +
* Social influence
  +
* Memory
  +
* Sleep and dreaming.
   
  +
* The research methods relate to a novel source.
B542- 1h15m written paper
 
   
 
=== <u>'''EDUQAS GCSE Psychology'''</u> ===
B543- 1h written paper
 
   
== WJEC GCSE Psychology ==
+
[[https://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/psychology/psychology-gcse/|WJEC GCSE Psychology]]
   
  +
=== <u>'''(DIY Approach, Courses and Online Providers):'''</u> ===
[http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=97&level=7 WJEC GCSE Psychology]
 
   
  +
==== '''DIY Approach''' ====
 
My son is working through the textbook and is finding it interesting, with plenty of practice questions.  We are supplementing the textbook with other relevant material, eg Oliver Sacks books like "The man who mistook his wife for a hat" and interesting TV programmes such as BBC 4's [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xccs9 "The Brain: A Secret History"]. We also listen to Radio 4 'All In The Mind' podcasts.  Nearer to the exam, he will work through all the available past papers and we may contact an online tutor to have some of his work marked and to get some further tips.
   
  +
My son worked through the Pearson Edexcel text book himself, he found the topics interesting. We also used the Sparks Psych site. We finished the specification 2 months before the exam and then did every past paper available, when we started revision past papers were grading a D knowing how the examiners wanted the questions answered was key to his B grade, which is what we predicted.
   
 
==== Resources ====
== Comments from parents ==
 
   
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==== There are two facebook groups you can join for ideas, resources and support: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/557918184542482/ FB group link] and [https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeEducationPsychologySociologyGCSE/ Link] ====
==== AQA Psychology with Oxford Open Learning ====
 
  +
Whittington Green School [http://www.wgs.derbyshire.sch.uk/curriculum/science8/psychology/ revision resources]
   
 
Memrise [https://www.memrise.com/course/230739/gcse-edexcel-psychology-3/ revision tools]
We have the [http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-GCSE-Psychology-Karen-Boswell/dp/1408503956/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368994786&sr=1-1&keywords=gcse+psychology AQA textbook for Psychology]
 
   
  +
BBC Bitesize [http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_pre_2011/brain_mind/ revision]
and DD will be doing Psychology with Oxford Open Learning once she has finished Religious Studies B with them (May 2014).  We are doing eight subjects at present, so the Psychology has to wait.
 
   
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Edgbarrow school revision [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=43&ved=2ahUKEwiryNLqr9_fAhVKRBUIHaYdAfI4KBAWMAJ6BAgHEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.edgbarrowschool.co.uk%2Fassets%2FUploads%2FParents%2FLetters-Home%2F2018.19%2FTrips%2FGCSE-Psychology-revision-guides-letter-2018-V2.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3O36omO_jlQOf7VSKcxOWN guide]
We are going to do the OOL course for Psychology because DD is very happy with their Religion course (they are all the same format). The course is very well laid out, has exercises (with model answers) and ten assignments throughout the course which are marked and feedback given.  The assignments (for Religion at least) have questions taken from past papers.     The course requires no input from me - it is all there set out for her.
 
   
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Crash Course [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo4pMVb0R6M&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOPRKzVLY0jJY-uHOH9KVU6|CrashCourse Psychology] - YouTube videos covering a variety of topics
The AQA textbooks in this series are remarkably thin (under 200 pages) but very concisely written.  The Religion book of the same series is the recommended text for the OOL course and we have found all of the information required for the syllabus is in this very slim book.
 
   
  +
[https://www.coursera.org/learn/introduction-psych Introduction to Psychology from Coursera] - free online course with assignments and discussions.
==== Edexcel Psychology, DIY approach ====
 
 
My son is working through the [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edexcel-GCSE-Psychology-Student-Book/dp/1846904838 Edexcel textbook] and is finding it interesting, with plenty of practice questions.  We are supplementing the textbook with other relevant material, eg Oliver Sacks books like "The man who mistook his wife for a hat" and interesting TV programmes such as BBC 4's [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xccs9 "The Brain: A Secret History"]. We also listen to Radio 4 'All In The Mind' podcasts.  Nearer to the exam, he will work through all the available past papers and we may contact an online tutor to have some of his work marked and to get some further tips.
 
 
== Resources ==
 
 
[http://www.sparkspsych.com/ SparksPsych] - a GCSE and A-level Psychology teacher's site, with some good additional material on each topic, and a[http://www.sparkspsych.com/uploads/1/5/2/0/15207876/gcse_psychology_revision_guide_complete_2014.pdf printable revision workbook] for Edexcel GCSE Psychology. Even if the main site is not working at the moment, the workbook should still be available.
 
 
[http://www.memrise.com Memrise] revision/learning system has free courses created by users for different exam boards, eg 
 
*[http://www.memrise.com/course/276343/edexcel-gcse-psychology-key-terms/ Edexcel GCSE Psychology key terms]
 
*[http://www.memrise.com/course/203236/quarrydale-gcse-psychology/ OCR GCSE Psychology]
 
*[http://www.memrise.com/course/281309/aqa-gcse-psychology-unit-1/ AQA GCSE Psychology Unit 1]
 
Memrise is great for learning things long-term; it introduces terms one by one.  Quizlet allows you to take tests to see how good your grasp is, without making you work through the course first.
 
 
[[http://www.quizlet.com Quizlet]] is a similar site - search for the latest courses, but for instance:
 
*[[http://quizlet.com/24262425/edexcel-gcse-psychology-topic-a-key-terminology-research-methods-flash-cards/ Edexcel GCSE Psych Topic A - Research Methods]
 
*[[http://quizlet.com/24262290/edexcel-gcse-psychology-topic-a-perception-key-terms-flash-cards/ Edexcel GCSE Psych Topic A - Perception]] - key terms
 
*[[http://quizlet.com/24263102/edexcel-gcse-psychology-topic-b-dreaming-key-terminology-flash-cards/ Edexcel GCSE Psych Topic B - Dreaming]]
 
*[[http://quizlet.com/34968681/edexcel-gcse-psychology-topic-d-why-do-we-have-phobias-flash-cards/ Edexcel GCSE Psych Topic D - Phobias]]
 
[http://www.hlhs.co.uk/sites/default/files/countdownExams/subjectRevision/psychology2013.pdf Revision booklet for AQA GCSE Psychology] by Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School
 
 
[http://www.yacapaca.com Yacapaca] - online revision activities for many subjects.  You have to register (free), then search for 'GCSE psychology' to find tests and activities targeted at the Edexcel syllabus.  
 
 
[http://resourcd.com PsychExchange at Resourcd] - resource-sharing site for teachers, with lots of worksheets and presentations for psychology.  Register (free) first, then search for your syllabus, eg 'Edexcel GCSE Psychology'.  Contains all the material which used to live at psychexchange.  
 
   
 
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b041dm1y In Search of Ourselves: A History of Psychology and the Mind] - BBC Radio 4
 
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b041dm1y In Search of Ourselves: A History of Psychology and the Mind] - BBC Radio 4
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[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008cy1j Mind Changers] BBC Radio 4 series on classic psychology experiments, including some which are on the GCSE and A-level syllabuses.
 
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008cy1j Mind Changers] BBC Radio 4 series on classic psychology experiments, including some which are on the GCSE and A-level syllabuses.
   
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b039dks7 "In the Psychiatrist's Chair" with Anthony Clare] BBC Radio 4 classic - selected episodes are being repeated on r4 extra in April 2014.
+
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b039dks7 "In the Psychiatrist's Chair" with Anthony Clare] BBC Radio 4 classic - selected episodes are being repeated on R4 extra in April 2014.
   
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xccs9 "The Brain: A Secret History"] from BBC. Although it's not on iplayer you can probably get it on Youtube with some creative searching.
+
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xccs9 "The Brain: A Secret History"] from BBC. Although it's not on iPlayer you can probably get it on YouTube with some creative searching.
   
[http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/brain-story/ Brain Story] - BBC six-part series. The link currently offers the series as a Youtube playlist. See also the [http://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=Brain_Story Brain Story wiki] .
+
[http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/brain-story/ Brain Story] - BBC six-part series. The link currently offers the series as a YouTube playlist. See also the [http://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=Brain_Story Brain Story wiki] .
   
 
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qxx9 All In The Mind] - BBC Radio 4 series, available as podcasts; interesting general knowledge and background psychology.
 
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qxx9 All In The Mind] - BBC Radio 4 series, available as podcasts; interesting general knowledge and background psychology.
   
 
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01xkr8n Psychology of the Mind] BBC Radio 4 collection of programmes and clips
 
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01xkr8n Psychology of the Mind] BBC Radio 4 collection of programmes and clips
 
[https://www.coursera.org/course/psy Coursera Psychology free online course] - a member of the HE Exams group recommended this, saying it was pitched at roughly A-level standard (first year of American university) and covering a variety of topics. Although the course has started, you can catch up online in your own time.
 
 
[http://www.pearsonhotlinks.co.uk/9781846904837.aspx Pearson Hotlinks for Edexcel GCSE Psychology] - external links tied in to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE textbook.
 
   
 
[http://www.cosmolearning.com/psychology/ CosmoLearning Psychology] - list of documentaries and free online courses in psychology, sorted by area.  Some of the links are broken but you can generally find the content on YouTube.
 
[http://www.cosmolearning.com/psychology/ CosmoLearning Psychology] - list of documentaries and free online courses in psychology, sorted by area.  Some of the links are broken but you can generally find the content on YouTube.
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[http://www.virtualpsychology.co.uk/gcsehome.php Virtual Psychology GCSE] Powerpoint presentations on core topics.
 
[http://www.virtualpsychology.co.uk/gcsehome.php Virtual Psychology GCSE] Powerpoint presentations on core topics.
  +
  +
===='''Distance Learning'''====
  +
  +
The majority of home-educators who study Psychology GCSE get along well using just the textbook and free online resources listed here, but some find a distance learning course suits their family better. The big national distance learning companies offer psychology GCSE courses, but there are also some niche providers who specialise in home education. People generally report that the tutor support is what makes or breaks and online course; this means it's difficult to generalise about whether a particular large distance learning company is good overall, as it may have a brilliant tutor for one subject and a lacklustre one for another.
  +
  +
'''[http://www.homemadeeducation.com HomeMadeEducation]'''is run by a home educator and offers on-line GCSE Psychology (Edexcel) and GCSE Sociology (AQA) courses. Courses are available in a variety of formats: live, interactive online courses, pre-recorded courses, and printed and posted courses.
  +
  +
Edited to add: 'I've loved doing psychology, I find it immensely interesting. It's now one of my favourite subjects, I find it intriguing and exciting. I think you are a great teacher, thanks for all the amazing classes, I feel confident and excited to do the exam. Thank you so much for being my teacher."
  +
  +
'''[http://www.socialsciencetutor.co.uk/ Vicki-Marie Piper Venn]''' offers online tuition in psychology and sociology. We have not had any feedback from members of the HE Exams groups, but her site says: "I specialise in tutoring home educated students, who currently constitute around 45% of all my students. For home educated students looking to apply to university I am able to be your Academic Referee and supply a reference to UCAS at no extra cost, provided that you are having weekly lessons with me."
  +
  +
Edited to add: "I am a member of the HE Exams group and my son had lessons with Vicki before his GCSE Psychology exam. We found her extremely patient and fantastic at explaining topics as well as giving great advice on exam technique. We can highly recommend her!"
  +
  +
'''[http://www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk/subject/psychology-gcse-course/ Oxford Home Schooling]''' offers a course for AQA GCSE Psychology. £350 for the course for one GCSE.
  +
  +
[https://hjeducationconsultant.wordpress.com/ '''HJEducation'''] - Hazel Johnson is a GCSE and AS & A Level Psychology tutor - she is a qualified teacher and has home educated her son
  +
 
<u>Comments from parents</u>
  +
 
==== AQA Psychology with Oxford Open Learning ====
  +
 
We have the [http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-GCSE-Psychology-Karen-Boswell/dp/1408503956/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368994786&sr=1-1&keywords=gcse+psychology AQA textbook for Psychology]
  +
 
and DD will be doing Psychology with Oxford Open Learning once she has finished Religious Studies B with them (May 2014).  We are doing eight subjects at present, so the Psychology has to wait.
  +
 
We are going to do the OOL course for Psychology because DD is very happy with their Religion course (they are all the same format). The course is very well laid out, has exercises (with model answers) and ten assignments throughout the course which are marked and feedback given.  The assignments (for Religion at least) have questions taken from past papers.     The course requires no input from me - it is all there set out for her.
  +
 
The AQA textbooks in this series are remarkably thin (under 200 pages) but very concisely written.  The Religion book of the same series is the recommended text for the OOL course and we have found all of the information required for the syllabus is in this very slim book.
  +
  +
'''[https://www.icslearn.co.uk/courses/gcse-and-igcse/gcse-psychology/ ICS Learn GCSE Psychology]''' course is the AQA syllabus, £285.
  +
  +
'''[https://www.nec.ac.uk/courses/psychology-gcse NEC GCSE Psychology]''' - AQA syllabus, £425

Revision as of 14:45, 25 August 2020

GCSE Psychology doesn't have coursework, so external candidates can sit the regular GCSE.

When you wish to take the exam, and what exam boards your exam centre is registered with, determines which Psychology GCSEs you can sit.

New GCSEs (9-1) are now being introduced for GCSE Psychology

  • Summer 2019 - first exams for the new GCSEs (9-1)

The specifications for old GCSE Psychology (A-G) cover different topics, so what you study will depend on which exam board you choose.  There is not necessarily much overlap between the specifications, e.g. AQA and Edexcel share only about a quarter of their topics.  This means that there is no such thing as a general psychology GCSE revision or textbook - your materials have to be specific to the topic or syllabus. However, there are good textbooks available which cover each syllabus.

The new Psychology (9-1) has more subject content determined by the Government so specifications have more overlap.

Edexcel GCSE Psychology - 1PS0 (2019 first examination)

Edexcel GCSE Psychology has no coursework or controlled assessment, so can be taken by home-ed students without any special arrangements.

The Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) in Psychology consists of two externally-examined papers. Students must complete all assessment in May/June in any single year.  

Paper 1 (*Paper code: 1PS0/01) - 1 hour and 45 minutes

  • Topic 1: Development – How did you develop?
  • Topic 2: Memory – How does your memory work?
  • Topic 3: Psychological problems – How would psychological problems affect you?
  • Topic 4: The brain and neuropsychology – How does your brain affect you?
  • Topic 5: Social influence – How do others affect you?

Paper 2 (Paper code: 1PS0/02) - 1 hour and 20 minutes (Topics 6 to 10 are optional; students must study two of them. Topic 11 is compulsory.)

  • Topic 6: Criminal psychology – Why do people become criminals?
  • Topic 7: The self – What makes you who you are?
  • Topic 8: Perception – How do you interpret the world around you?
  • Topic 9: Sleep and dreaming – Why do you need to sleep and dream?
  • Topic 10: Language, thought and communication – How do you communicate with others?
  • Topic 11: Research methods – How do you carry out psychological research?

AQA GCSE Psychology - 8182

AQA GCSE Psychology Course code 8182

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.

Paper 1: Cognition and behaviour (1 hr, 45 mins)

  • Memory
  • Perception
  • Development
  • Research methods

Paper 2: Social context and behaviour (1 hr, 45 mins)

  • Social influence
  • Language, thought and communication
  • Brain and neuropsychology
  • Psychological problems

OCR GCSE Psychology - J203

OCR GCSE Psychology - course code J203

Paper 1: Studies and applications in Psychology 1 (01) - 1 hr 30 mins

Paper 2: Studies and applications in Psychology 2 (02) - 1 hr 30 mins

Component 01: Studies and applications in Psychology 1

  • Criminal psychology
  • Development
  • Psychological problems.
  • The research methods focus on designing an investigation.

Component 02: Studies and applications in Psychology 2

  • Social influence
  • Memory
  • Sleep and dreaming.
  • The research methods relate to a novel source.

EDUQAS GCSE Psychology

[GCSE Psychology]

(DIY Approach, Courses and Online Providers):

DIY Approach

My son is working through the textbook and is finding it interesting, with plenty of practice questions.  We are supplementing the textbook with other relevant material, eg Oliver Sacks books like "The man who mistook his wife for a hat" and interesting TV programmes such as BBC 4's "The Brain: A Secret History". We also listen to Radio 4 'All In The Mind' podcasts.  Nearer to the exam, he will work through all the available past papers and we may contact an online tutor to have some of his work marked and to get some further tips.

My son worked through the Pearson Edexcel text book himself, he found the topics interesting. We also used the Sparks Psych site. We finished the specification 2 months before the exam and then did every past paper available, when we started revision past papers were grading a D knowing how the examiners wanted the questions answered was key to his B grade, which is what we predicted.

Resources

There are two facebook groups you can join for ideas, resources and support: FB group link and Link

Whittington Green School revision resources

Memrise revision tools

BBC Bitesize revision

Edgbarrow school revision guide

Crash Course Psychology - YouTube videos covering a variety of topics

Introduction to Psychology from Coursera - free online course with assignments and discussions.

In Search of Ourselves: A History of Psychology and the Mind - BBC Radio 4

Mind Changers BBC Radio 4 series on classic psychology experiments, including some which are on the GCSE and A-level syllabuses.

"In the Psychiatrist's Chair" with Anthony Clare BBC Radio 4 classic - selected episodes are being repeated on R4 extra in April 2014.

"The Brain: A Secret History" from BBC. Although it's not on iPlayer you can probably get it on YouTube with some creative searching.

Brain Story - BBC six-part series. The link currently offers the series as a YouTube playlist. See also the Brain Story wiki .

All In The Mind - BBC Radio 4 series, available as podcasts; interesting general knowledge and background psychology.

Psychology of the Mind BBC Radio 4 collection of programmes and clips

CosmoLearning Psychology - list of documentaries and free online courses in psychology, sorted by area.  Some of the links are broken but you can generally find the content on YouTube.

Psychology documentaries from TopDocumentaryFilms.  Generally has a summary and direct link to view online.

The Secret Life of the Brain - PBS documentary series, 5 episodes.

Uniview GCSE Psychology Resource Catalogue - sells DVDs of documentaries relevant to the topic to teachers.  Prices probably more than you'd pay for home-ed use but may provide inspiration for resources which you can find elsewhere.

TES forum for GCSE Psychology

Virtual Psychology GCSE Powerpoint presentations on core topics.

Distance Learning

The majority of home-educators who study Psychology GCSE get along well using just the textbook and free online resources listed here, but some find a distance learning course suits their family better. The big national distance learning companies offer psychology GCSE courses, but there are also some niche providers who specialise in home education. People generally report that the tutor support is what makes or breaks and online course; this means it's difficult to generalise about whether a particular large distance learning company is good overall, as it may have a brilliant tutor for one subject and a lacklustre one for another.

HomeMadeEducationis run by a home educator and offers on-line GCSE Psychology (Edexcel) and GCSE Sociology (AQA) courses. Courses are available in a variety of formats: live, interactive online courses, pre-recorded courses, and printed and posted courses.

Edited to add: 'I've loved doing psychology, I find it immensely interesting. It's now one of my favourite subjects, I find it intriguing and exciting. I think you are a great teacher, thanks for all the amazing classes, I feel confident and excited to do the exam. Thank you so much for being my teacher."

Vicki-Marie Piper Venn offers online tuition in psychology and sociology. We have not had any feedback from members of the HE Exams groups, but her site says: "I specialise in tutoring home educated students, who currently constitute around 45% of all my students. For home educated students looking to apply to university I am able to be your Academic Referee and supply a reference to UCAS at no extra cost, provided that you are having weekly lessons with me."

Edited to add: "I am a member of the HE Exams group and my son had lessons with Vicki before his GCSE Psychology exam. We found her extremely patient and fantastic at explaining topics as well as giving great advice on exam technique. We can highly recommend her!"

Oxford Home Schooling offers a course for AQA GCSE Psychology. £350 for the course for one GCSE.

HJEducation - Hazel Johnson is a GCSE and AS & A Level Psychology tutor - she is a qualified teacher and has home educated her son

Comments from parents

AQA Psychology with Oxford Open Learning

We have the AQA textbook for Psychology

and DD will be doing Psychology with Oxford Open Learning once she has finished Religious Studies B with them (May 2014).  We are doing eight subjects at present, so the Psychology has to wait.

We are going to do the OOL course for Psychology because DD is very happy with their Religion course (they are all the same format). The course is very well laid out, has exercises (with model answers) and ten assignments throughout the course which are marked and feedback given.  The assignments (for Religion at least) have questions taken from past papers.     The course requires no input from me - it is all there set out for her.

The AQA textbooks in this series are remarkably thin (under 200 pages) but very concisely written.  The Religion book of the same series is the recommended text for the OOL course and we have found all of the information required for the syllabus is in this very slim book.

ICS Learn GCSE Psychology course is the AQA syllabus, £285.

NEC GCSE Psychology - AQA syllabus, £425