IES Independent Enquiry Study

What is Independent Enquiry Study?

A part of the curriculum to help students

achieve high order thinking:

to become self-directed learners;

to connect, integrate and apply knowledge,

perspectives and skills developed in other fields of

study;

To broaden students’ horizons and catering for their

interests and inclinations

What is Independent Enquiry Study?

The IES will count as 20% of students total

DSELS result:

Paper 1 = 50%

Paper 2 = 30%

IES = 20%

What to do in the IES?

Students will need to write a report to show the

following ability:

Set goals, planning, implementation of plans;

Collect data with appropriate tools;

analyze the data collected and draw meaningful

conclusions, and evaluate on the usefulness of data

collected and limitation of the data collection tool;

Present their ideas with conclusions drawn as

evidence; and

reflect on their learning progress;

How to find the answer?

What is the question?

How to present my data

in a meaningful way?

How to use these data to answer

the question I asked?

Is there any problem with

the work I am doing?

And how to improve?

Some of Our Students’

Work

Marking – Overview

Components

Process Task

No. of Marks

to be

Submitted

SBA

Weignting

No. of Marks

to be

Submitted

SBA

Weignting

Project Proposal

1 20%

1 25%

Product

(Final Report) 1 55%

Marking - Criteria

Assessment Item Description

Independent

Thinking

Relevance and accuracy of Information

Quality of argument, ideas and viewpoints

Thinking in multiple perspectives

Reflection on learning progress

Communication Clarity, coherence, fluency and organisation

Effectiveness of idea presentation

Effort

Time and resource management

Eagerness in seeking support

Proactiveness in making improvements

Marking - Criteria

Marking criteria vary from stage to stage, but generally in the following aspects:

Exploring and Defining the Enquiry Issue

Collection of Materials and Use of Knowledge

Plan of Implementation

Data, Findings, One’s Own views

Presentation and Structure

Reflection

* Details of marking criteria could be

found in the HKEAA website

Our Support to Students

Lecture + Consultation session with teachers

“Process” Tasks (e.g. Mind maps, Graphic Organizers)

Resources (e.g. IES samples, Framework)

Small Projects

(integrate IES into daily teaching and school activities)

IES a continuous process

E.g. of Student Activity:

“Where does our food come from?”

“Garbage Analysis

Data Analysis & Presentation

Reminders for Students and Parents

IES is weighted 20% of total DSE LS result:

Paper 1 = 50%

Paper 2 = 30%

IES = 20% Heavy weighting

≈ ± 1 level

Reminders for Students and Parents

Nature of IES

Self-directed learning experience

Learning facilitated by teachers

Group learning in IES

Be Proactive

Be Independent

Reminders for Students and Parents

General Schedule

~Oct – Nov: Start of IES

~Feb: Project Proposal

~Apr: Data Collection

~Jul – Aug: Data Collection

Finishing of Report

Good Time Management is Crucial

Long Vacations