Where are they Applied or Assessed?

The broad themes and levels of organisation are unlikely to be included in an examination question.

How then might we utilise these concepts within the DP Biology course to help students to better understand and retain the content?

Linking Questions

Each section (A1.2, B2.1 etc) has linking questions. These questions will connect that topic to others, for example: What are examples of structure–function correlations at each level of biological organisation? (B2.2)

The Roadmap

This offers two suggested pathways through the course based on the concepts. It is not a requirement to follow one of these pathways. You are welcome and encouraged to create your own pathway.

Networked Knowledge

This is a term used several times in the new guide. The goal is to create links, perhaps by using linking questions, between knowledge. Concept-based teaching is ideal for creating networked knowledge. The more links a student can make, the better the student will be able to retain and apply what they have learned.

This is a higher-order thinking exercise in itself and is something that needs to be explicitly encouraged and identified in order for students to benefit from it.