Interrobang!?: Bridging work

TASK 1: Watch AI Is Dangerous, but Not for the Reasons You Think | Sasha Luccioni

[Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXdVDhOGqoE]

TASK 2: Explore current news stories relating to AI over the summer. Seek out news outlets like the BBC or The Guardian (it's hard to find right-leaning free news outlets, but if you have access to one, do use that for balance) or databases like The Day. Look in particular for stories relating to the subjects you will be studying next year. You might just read these stories, or you could make notes and/or collect URLs.

TASK 3: In September post some thoughts and ideas about the potential impact of AI (good, bad or neutral) in one of your chosen subjects in the Interrobang!? Channel of the sixth form team to get a discussion going.

Bonus video! This thoughtful 5 minute extract from a World Economic Forum interview is definitely worth a watch. Although it is a year old, which is a long time in AI, I don't think the ideas discussed will date.

[Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzkD_rTEBYs ]

What do you need to know about the EPQ?

You only need to decide whether or not you want to do an Extended Project Qualification in October. If you are considering one, however, the most important thing you can do is think about a topic. The only restrictions are that:

• it must be research based (i.e. you can't just write about something you already know a lot about without developing and extending that knowledge somehow)
• it cannot be too closely related to the examined syllabus of your current A-level subjects (i.e. if you could get credit for writing about your EPQ topic in your A-level exams or coursework then it is too close. It must develop and extend your understanding beyond the A-level syllabus).

What would you investigate?

The most important thing you can do at this stage is to try to think of a range of topics that might interest you. Remember that the outcome of your EPQ can either be a 5,000 word research report or an artefact accompanied by a research report of at least 1,000 words. An artefact can be anything at all as long as it is research based - you could put on a play, write a story, build a computer, organise a charity event, make a work of art, engage in some form of positive social action... you are only limited by your imagination. Don't forget that dual accreditation still applies though. If you need to write a play for your drama coursework, you can't also do that for your EPQ.

Bridging work: exploring topics

• Task 1: Make a mind map of things you are interested in.
  Keep it as broad as possible. Include hobbies and personal interests as well as academic and current affairs interests.
  • You could try a mind mapping application like Visio, which you can find using the nine dot square 'app launcher' at the top left of the Microsoft Office home screens. If you haven't used it before you might need to click on Show all apps at the bottom of the list to find it.
• Task 2: Start reading around and exploring some of those broad interests to look for an area that you might be passionate anough to explore over a whole year.
  Add to your mind map as you go. Some of our Subscription Databases might help you.
  • Try The Day for short articles about current affairs to spark an interest that you might want to follow up in more detail.
  • Try Gale in Context: Global Issues for collections of articles, videos and audio about a wide range of important global issues and events.
  • Try Britannica School for general encyclopaedia articles about a wide range of topics with links out to other carefully selected websites
  • Try Hodder Education A-level Review Magazines for articles aimed at A-level students. This might be a good bet if you want to do an EPQ on a subject you are not studying at A-level, but don't use this for subjects you are studying as the articles will all be about topics that are on the syllabus and therefore off-limits for your EPQ.