Minecraft Games As Learning: Study Skills for Primary School Students

The Hidden Advantages of Minecraft Games as Learning

Harrison Reed is an Academic Specialist and avid gamer. He works with A Team Tuition developing child-centric learning methods including games as learning to sharpen study skills. Harrison’s success in developing motivated young learners comes from creating “relevant context” to study. Our tutoring team uses relevant, kid-friendly examples that inspire passion and better understanding of curriculum. Learn more about how our primary school tutors can better connect with your little learner.

Meet Harrison, Self-Confessed Educational Gaming Geek

Hello, my name is Harrison and I’m a gaming addict. As well as being a tutor and Academic Specialist with A Team Tuition, I am a passionate player of educational games and a big advocate for games as learning.

Play Based Learning

The concept of play based learning isn’t new. There have been countless academic articles (140,289 in digital form actually, to be precise) published on the benefits of games as learning in the early childhood educational field. More recently, educational specialists have examined the definition of “play” in the digital age and how it impacts learning in younger kids. As the gamification of education becomes a daily resource for teachers, there has been a rash of studies published on the impact of specific educational games on study skills and the value of games in achieving positive learning outcomes.

Minecraft – where primary school kids mine for study skills

Minecraft is one of the largest entertainment properties of all time, across all forms of media. The game was sold to Microsoft for US$2.5 Billion (with a B!) in 2014 and has continued to go from strength to strength since then. It’s the world’s most loved educational game, and academic studies are showing it’s jam packed with learning opportunities for primary school kids and adults alike.

It has spawned hundreds of imitators and is considered by many experts to be THE most important game of the decade. So successful, that statistically speaking, your kids probably play. While screen time gets a very bad rap from educational experts, there are plenty of benefits to playing Minecraft to develop academic and study skills in primary school children.

It can be as complex or as creative as you want

Minecraft has what is referred to as a narrow but deep gameplay system. Theoretically, there is one action that can be taken in the game – you can break ‘blocks’, and you can place them. That’s it. Simple, right? So simple a four-year-old (or a fifty-year-old) can do it.

But as there are over 150 block types in the game, the possibilities are infinite! Like Lego turned up to 11, the only limitations to play are your child’s imagination and dedication.

A passionate, focused and self-motivated player can develop a virtual world of imaginary play and magnificent builds. While it looks like they’re online gaming, they’re actually setting goals, pursuing strategies to reach those goals, creating art and combining a range of skills, including in more advanced players, basic computer coding. How’s that for an hour or two well spent? It could take your classroom teacher months to develop and inspire these study skills – but they’re already in there, if you know how to ‘dig them up.’

Modes, Codes and Next Level Skill Development

Minecraft has two “modes.” Creative Mode is where building happens. Creative Mode is a version of the game that has no combat, no character death and places the player in ‘God’ mode – this allows the players to express their creativity however they want! For younger kids, this mode is ideal. They never need enter the more competitive world of “Survival Mode” and never need to play on an online server. Child safety is always top priority in gaming, and Creative Mode protects your child from outside influence.

Redstone is electronics disguised as game play

As well as offering unlimited creative potential, Minecraft also contains within it an extremely interesting object – Redstone. Redstone is a representation of an electronic circuit and can be used to send trigger signals to other objects in the game. What that means in practical terms is that Redstone can be used to create some incredibly complex machinery within the framework of Minecraft. Clocks, automatic traps and farms, even entire computer systems are all possible, and will stretch the complexity and creativity of any aspiring engineer or designer.

Minecraft forces the player to take their own agency

Unlike most games, there is no actual storytelling or plot within Minecraft, other than what the player creates for themselves. No objective, no goals, other than whatever the player imagines and sets out to build. And for a student who is told what to do almost every minute of the day – when to get up, where to go, what to do at school, what to eat, when to go to sleep – that can be incredibly freeing.

Want to go see what’s on the other side of that hill? You can! Feel like building an epic mansion? Go ahead! Outside of the requirements of a food system and defending yourself from the hapless hostile enemies – or mobs – inside the game (which can be turned off), there is no limitation to what the player can do. This has led to a huge rise in online servers running multiplayer games with thousands of players, with entire cities and rules based around a game where the goal is to uncover resources, craft (manufacture) and place blocks.

Introduction to coding

Part of the success of Minecraft has been the way that it keeps kids engaged at every level. First, they mine for blocks and place them. Next, they can plan for basic “manufacturing” to craft those blocks into tools and objects (via a “Crafting Table”). Beyond that, they can use Redstone to create “actionable cause and effect” circuits. Finally, they can learn “basic code hacking” by creating “Command Blocks.”

How to create Command Blocks in Minecraft

To open your child’s learning up to include basic coding skills, you can open up the world of Minecraft hacking for them. How?

1. Turn “Cheats” on by creating a new world and then clicking “More World Options” (or “Settings” on a console)
2. Select “Cheats: ON”
3. In the world, type /give to begin. This allows children to “give themselves” the materials they’d usually need to go out and mine. This is the first taste of coding in Minecraft and one that is exciting and inspiring.
4. From there, your child can begin the process of learning all the different codes they must manually enter to create different actions in the game. Note that if you have two children in the same world, they can use these codes to “irritate” each other. This is a thing. Trust me. This is DEFINITELY a thing.

Learning Opportunities in Minecraft Education Edition

Minecraft as a property is very aware of the fact that they have a huge potential for assisting in students’ learning. So much so that they have released Minecraft: Education Edition, a special version of the game that includes additional controls for a teacher to manage their class, and special modules created with organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund. These are used to educate and teach students in a way that is interesting and engaging, especially for students resistant to traditional education. With a huge depth and variety of content, Minecraft is going to be used as a learning tool for years to come.

How to choose a tutor that connects with a Minecraft Master!

Our approach to tutoring isn’t just ‘learn by rote.” Our tutoring programs were developed in partnership with child psychologists to deliver a “whole” approach to academic success. So, when we match a tutor with a child, we match not only based on the curriculum, but via individual interests, skill sets and challenges. By matching your little gamer with one of our big gamers, we help form a connection that leads to better motivation and better results.

Meet the perfect tutor for your child and see how they grow!

Get a call back today

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How to Get a 99 ATAR – Insights from a Top Achiever!

How to get a 99 ATAR seems like an impossible question, especially with the many factors that go into the calculation!  The elusive 99.95 ATAR is the ultimate goal for secondary school students and seems like an impossible dream.  However, I’m here to show you that no matter what, you can get the marks you want at the end of high school to give yourself the best possible start for the future.  I received an OP 1.  How? Well, what counts the most is how hard you are willing to work to achieve your goals!
Sometimes you need to do just a little bit extra to really boost your grades!

How to get a 99 ATAR?  Here’s what I learned!

My personal journey to a top university entry score

So… here are five things that I did during my senior years of high school that allowed me to achieve an OP 1.  Yes, I’m one of the old school OP graduates!  With ATAR now the standard score for access to university places, this is also a guide to how to get a 99 ATAR.

1. Do Extra-Curriculars

2. Do Your Own Research

3. Help Other Out

4. Do The Things You Don’t Have To

5. Constantly Strive To Improve

1. Do Extra-Curriculars

 

It is a common misconception that to do well at school – really well – you must throw yourself entirely into your schoolwork while leaving your friends, hobbies, and interests behind.  I won’t deny that getting an 99 ATAR will take a massive commitment of time, energy and determination, but if you focus solely on school you will, quite simply… burn out.  Being able to have breaks from schoolwork is important in keeping you sane and focused! How to get a 99 ATAR is about staying sane through that really tough final year of high school.  Also, don’t forget… participation in extracurricular activities also looks fantastic on resume and scholarship applications! 

However, while there is no ‘one’ extracurricular activity that will help your grades, there are ways to be clever about how to choose what you dedicate your time to.  Choose extracurriculars based on:

• What you know you enjoy
• Are most likely to stick with
• The time spent travelling to and from the activity
• How flexible they will be with your schoolwork
• When they are scheduled

These factors are super important, as you don’t want a big game of basketball or a music rehearsal the night before an exam or during the days leading up to an assignment due date! 

For example, I enjoyed doing extracurriculars at my school. One week in year 12 I was completely bogged down in school work and study. However, as some of these extracurriculars were run by my own classroom teachers, I was able to adjust my schedule around and keep my focus on my school work! 

2. Do Your Own Research

There is no denying that, like the old the OP system, the ATAR system too is quite specific in how marks are given!  Getting an ATAR of 99 or more means understanding a very complex series of rules and calculations and for the class of 2020, these are compounded by the special allowances due to the COVID-19 interruptions.  It’s not just class of 2020 either.  Calculating ATAR scores will be more complex for a few years as we adjust to these returning to normal post CoronaVirus. 

However, there are definite strategies to succeed outside of merely being able to write a good essay and solve problems correctly. While some schools may already be aware of these strategies and share them with students, there are also ways you can be proactive and find out exactly how to successfully meet all the criteria! The best place to find out how grades are assigned is right at your fingertips! There is a detailed list provided in the criteria sheets of all assignments and exams! Each subject is likely to have a standard list of criteria that will be either the same or at least similar, across all assessment pieces. 

For example, a key criterion in senior English assessment is “evaluation of perspectives and representations of concepts, identities, times and places”. However, it is a criterion often missed by students (myself included). To get an ATAR of 99+, it’s vital to understand exactly what the assessors are looking for with each assessment.  If you’re keen to learn more, the QCAA website.

It initially sounds like a confusing mess straight out of a thesaurus, but it means that you must analyse how texts are constructions by their authors, who have made conscious decisions to include concepts, characters, and settings to convey a specific message. So, even if you write a fantastic assignment, but haven’t fulfilled this criterion you will NOT get the marks! I discovered this only after handing in many English assignments, in which I kept getting stuck on the same mark. Finally, I realised that I was being marked down in the same criterion each time. With this knowledge, I was able to make sure I completely addressed all the criteria next time and saw an immediate improvement in my results!

The QCAA has a ton of resources available, most importantly sample assessment pieces as well as syllabus and learning guides!  If you struggle with any of the descriptions and concepts, you can speak to a professional high school tutor familiar with these criteria.  Learn more here.

3. Help Others Out

As the A system is based on your position relative to your peers, it is easy to think that the way to succeed is to keep to your own and fend off the competition! However, in my experience… that is the exact OPPOSITE of what you should do for several reasons. 

It is widely known that the best way to learn a concept is to teach it to someone else! So I guess my calling as a high school tutor started in high school!  Helping your classmates will allow you to discuss, learn, and understand the content for your exams and assignments. There’s no better way to understand different perspectives on a topic than to discuss it with peers.  Even better… your classmates will likely help you in return! There have been so many times where I have been sitting outside an exam room and a friend has brought up something, which I’ve never heard of that turned out to be on the exam. While waiting to go into a year 12 exam, a friend taught me a concept I had missed throughout my study (it can happen) that I took into the exam and used to get an A+. Furthermore, year 12 is without a doubt difficult! Having a support network of friends (especially peers) is invaluable. During these times, being able to rely on each other means that at the end of the day everyone can cross the finish line together! 

4. Do The Things You Don’t Have To 

At some point, every student gets given a task by a teacher that doesn’t count towards their mark or has no due date – and every student at some point has not done this extra work. However, to get really good marks you need to do the extra reading, the unessential homework, and revision each day!  How to get a 99 ATAR is to put in the hard yards.  Not only will this extra work increase the quality of your assessment, but it will prove to your teachers that you are willing to take extra steps to do well. It will also give you more confidence when walking into exams and enable you to draft your assignments more effectively. 

This is particularly useful in humanities subjects, like Modern History. Before a Modern History exam, I ensured I remembered at least one extra piece of information on each topic studied. This not only boosted my confidence, but it also allowed me to write a more effective, coherent, and in-depth response, as I wasn’t just relying on the limited scope of my class notes and revision materials.  Achieving a high ATAR score isn’t just about being accepted into the degree of your choice, it’s about having a superior understanding of the subject matter.  While the score matters, the knowledge is vital too.

5. Constantly Strive To Improve

What helped me the most but is something that is often overlooked is the process of constantly improving your work.  Many people think that by year 11 or 12, you must be stuck in your ways and have no time improve. This is FASLE. Every new assessment item is a chance to re-evaluate your work and make improvements.  Even if you’ve had a shaky start to the year, you can make small, incremental differences to your grades which can help in getting an ATAR of 99+.  While working hard is a way to get good marks, if you forget to check your results and learn from past feedback, you will find yourself getting the same grades every time.   

So, how do you make genuine improvements to your work? 

Firstly, read your draft and assessment feedback and look at the criteria sheet. After every assessment make a note of three things or criterion you can improve upon and take it on-board for next time.  Secondly, speak to your teachers, and don’t be scared to be direct. Ask them, “what can I do to improve?” or “how can I get an A?” They are the ones marking your work, so they know exactly what you need to improve upon to get a better exit score. 

Right before a geography exam, I asked my teacher what I needed to do to improve my mark. He was able to have another look through my work and tell me exactly what criteria I needed to address. Teachers are almost always willing to help, so I recommend giving it a shot and asking them what you can do to get a better mark.  Your teachers want you to get a high ATAR score.  They want to help.  Never be afraid to ask a teacher.

 

How to get a 99 ATAR? 

Like an OP1, getting a 99 ATAR or even that elusive 99.95 ATAR isn’t impossible.  It’s a process that involves a lot of passion for learning and commitment to constant improvement.  I was definitely not an OP1 student when I started high school, so I know first-hand whatever your current grades are, so long as you are willing to put in the effort and hard work, you can get the results you want!  Always ask for help and don’t be afraid to seek out a tutor who understands not only the ATAR system but also where you, personally, can overcome any barriers to getting that top entry score.  As an A Team Tutor, I can see first hand how our program helps our students achieve amazing results.  I wish I’d had an A Team Tutor myself.

 

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What Learning Language Is Your Child?

Everyone is different. We all look different, even identical twins have some disparity. We all speak differently; depending on a person’s origin, they might speak another language or have an accent. Every person also has their own preference regarding food; apparently, not everyone likes chocolate!  So, it is not that surprising that every single student learns differently!  It’s called their “learning language”.

Learning Language in the Classroom

Think about it… a teacher’s verbal recap of a historical event, such as World War I, will not embed into all 26 student’s minds. It might work for one or two students, but for others, it likely goes in one ear and straight out the other.

This is why most teachers ask students to take notes, draw diagrams, read, or otherwise complete a range of diverse activities. This allows most, if not all, the students some way to learn that meets their individual needs.  Learn more about our approach to working with primary school aged kids, and with teens.

There are three broad categories of learning languages, which represent a key method of learning:

Of course, people can be a combination of two types of learning language! Personally, I am a visual-kinaesthetic learner! This means that I learn best when I can visualise and actively engage with the context. Some methods I use, include drawing diagrams, making flashcards, and answering practice questions while I am working out at the gym!

 

Not only does the information embed into my brain a lot easier, but sometimes I even have fun while studying!

 

That is why, at A Team Tuition, we understand and appreciate the importance of creating learning strategies unique to each individual student. This allows us to communicate more effectively and teaches our students how to learn smarter, not harder.

 

So… even if they don’t know it yet, every student has their own unique language that will help them absorb information into their brains more effectively and time-efficiently.

The parent’s quick learning language test

The key to success is to unlock this knowledge… help your child discover their learning language! A quick way to do this would be to choose three difficult, unfamiliar words (this will vary depending on your child’s age). For the first word, just read out the definition. For the second word, ask them to read the definition. Finally, for the third word, ask them to draw a diagram/ picture of the meaning.

 

Give it a couple of minutes and then ask them which definitions they still remember. It is also important to ask your child how they think they learn best. Depending on the results, you will likely be able to determine whether your child is best suited to an individual or combined category.

 

Now, you just have to implement the suitable learning methods, sit back, relax, and watch as your child starts to thrive!

 

Contents

• Visual Learner
• Auditory Learners
• Kinaesthetic Learners

 

Visual Learners

As one of the most common learning languages – visual learners remember information more effectively if it is presented to them graphically. They prefer to see how things take shape. They visualise concepts to comprehend it’s meaning.

 

This form of learning is typically introduced during early childhood. How? Well, think back to all the picture books… the images which brought the words to life! The countless flashcards to associate the letter ‘A’ with ‘apple,’ ‘b’ with ‘bee,’ and ‘c’ with ‘cat.’ Not to mention the countless episodes of Sesame Street, which discretely taught life-lessons through puppeteering!

Assisting school aged visual learners

Now, fast forward a few years to school… how can this learning language be used to help your child maximise their learning?

Well, various visual learning techniques can be implemented, depending on the assessment.

For example, for exams and general revision, students can utilise:

• Flashcards
• Diagrams
• Picture maps
• Tables
• Read over class notes

 

However, for speeches, students are advised to write out their speech multiple times.

How does A Team Tuition assist Visual Learners?

Personally, I advise my visual learners to write out their weekly notes in poster format and then blue-tac it to their wall, so they can keep reading it and refresh their memory during the lead up to the exam!

 

Colour association is also a fantastic tool that is seriously underrated! This method can be used regardless of the assessment type. It allows the brain to relate the content to a specific category. Once categorised, it is easier to recall the information collectively. A major tip is to stick to colours already socially constructed for a particular purpose.

 

For example, in the context of a history source evaluation, highlight primary sources or supporting information in green, secondary sources in yellow, and contradicting information in red.

How can you help your visual learner?

So, next time your visual learner is finding it hard to focus on reading countless chapters of a textbook, try encouraging them to make posters or flashcards featuring the content. Not only will this help them comprehend the information more efficiently and quickly, but it will also stop them from getting bored and falling asleep!

 

Auditory Learners 

While auditory is not the most recognised form of learning, we all actively engage in it every day!  

 

From speaking to others, listening to the radio while driving, enjoying an audio-book, to getting frustrated at the GPS voiceover, we all use some form of audio.

 

So really, it is no surprise that it is one of our most significant tools of learning! 

Some key study methods for auditory learners include:

• Recording speeches/ notes
• Listening to a recording of speech/ notes repeatedly and in different environments
• Reading speech/ notes out-loud
• Having a family member, friend, or peer read notes out-loud or quiz student
• Having a general discussion with someone and explaining key concepts
• Listening to podcasts
• Listening to music (without lyrics preferably) while studying

Tip: students can record their speech and listen to it while they sleep! It is also recommended that students listen to the recording three times throughout the days leading up to the speech. This will help to embed it into their memory and may make it easier for them to recall it on presentation day! 

 

Kinaesthetic Learners

How do you tell if your child is a kinaesthetic learner?

Well, students with this specific learning style are typically quite fidgety and look like they have ants in their pants! Whether it is chewing, tapping their feet, bouncing their knees, or clicking their pen, kinaesthetic learners like to keep moving.

Unfortunately, this does make it hard for them to stay focused when in slow-paced environments.  Instead of absorbing content while reading a textbook in a silent classroom, a kinaesthetic learner will likely be falling asleep, distracting others, and be very susceptible to distraction from other students. This frequently results in kinaesthetic learners being labelled the ‘trouble maker’ or ‘jokester’ of the class.

However, if students learn to funnel and utilise all this energy into working smarter, not harder, they will unlock their learning potential!

How does A Team Tuition work with Kinaesthetic Learners?

To achieve this, an ‘emphasis’ must be put on ‘movement.’ Some key learning techniques for kinaesthetic learners include:

• Board games
• Answering practice questions while doing physical activity (e.g., kicking or balancing a ball)
• Using clay to model scientific diagrams (useful for science revision)
• Playing with a ball while explaining concepts
• Playing simple memory games
• Building models with Lego/other building materials
• Other hands-on activities/games

Remember, repetition is key! You can change the activity, however, use it to reinforce the key concepts.

How can parents aid their kinaesthetic learner at home?

It might also be useful to combine kinaesthetic learning techniques, with either visual or auditory techniques for a more significant impact.

So, there you have it… A Team Tuition’s broad overview of the three main learning languages!

Of course, students can use a combination of any of the above methods, as everyone learns differently. No one method is going to work for all students.

It is for this reason that it helps to be aware of what learning language your child is more in-tune to, as you can cater to their individual needs and teach them how they learn best! Not only will this help them thrive in school, but it will also prepare them for life-long learning!

However, if you or your child is struggling to implement the methods, feel free to contact one of our friendly staff at A Team Tuition! Our team of highly trained and experienced Academic Personal Trainers has a limitless amount of techniques that can be moulded to suit each individual child. Together, we can all start to learn smarter, not harder!

START MY CHILD’S TRANSFORMATION TODAY!

Whether you need help with homework, assignment & exam preparation or just a confidence and motivation boost at school – we can help!

Tell us about your child and we will get in touch as soon as possible!

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What ATAR do you need to be a lawyer?

Queensland couldn’t have chosen a worse year to move from OP to ATAR systems for university placements.  So, as your child struggles with the challenges of studying in 2020, we’ve prepared this guide especially for Queensland parents of year 12 students who wish to study law in 2021.  The move to ATAR may be ill-timed but there are definite benefits for your child applying under the ATAR system over the OP system.  So what ATAR do you need to be a lawyer?  Here’s a guide to Queensland Universities offering a Bachelor of Laws.

What is the ATAR for Law?

The short answer is a minimum of 73.  In Queensland, the lowest ATAR score your child can achieve and still study a bachelor of laws is 73 – at James Cook University in Townsville or Cairns. This equates to an OP score of around 12.  Not all teens dreaming of becoming a lawyer dream of doing that in Far North Queensland…  If your child hopes to study Law in Brisbane, they’ll be looking at 78 (or an OP of around 10) at Australian Catholic University.

What is the ATAR for law at the prestigious University of Queensland?  The bad news is, if your child aspires to a law degree from UQ, they’re going to need an ATAR score akin to entry into a medical degree!

Worried your child won’t get the ATAR they need to study law?  Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Get Help

Bachelor of Laws in Queensland

Most Queensland Universities offer a variation on the Bachelor of Laws.  As 2020 is Queensland’s first crop of ATAR graduates, there are currently approximate scores for entry into most degrees.  While these are a good goal for your child to aim for, there may be variance not only due to the new ATAR system but due to the allowances being made for kids studying at home during the pandemic.  Like all solid study goals, your child’s university aspirations should be attainable – and where possible, they should aim a little higher just to be sure.

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) University of Queensland

• UQ offers an Honours level law program in keeping with its reputation for prestige in this area.  The OP score for this course was 2 and it’s predicted to carry an ATAR requirement of 98.  This is by far the most difficult law degree to access in Queensland.

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Queensland University of Technology

• QUT formerly had an OP 7 for admittance into a Bachelor of Laws. This translates to an approximate ATAR score of 87.

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Griffith 

• Griffith’s 3 year Bachelor of Laws (course code 1620) at the Gold Coast and Nathan Campuses, will likely carry an ATAR requirement of 93 which is an approximate OP of 4.  The 4 year version (course code 1619) has an approximate ATAR entry score of 84.

Bachelor of Laws ACU

• Australian Catholic University offers a four year Bachelor of Laws and predicts an approximate ATAR score of 78.  This equates to an approximate OP of 10.

Bachelor of Laws University of Southern Queensland

• USQ’s 3-year law degree is available online, in Toowoomba and in Springfield. The expected ATAR entry score will be 77 which equates to an OP of 11.

Bachelor of Laws Bond University

• Bond University on the Gold Coast has an approximate minimum entry ATAR score of 84, which equates to an OP of 8.

Bachelor of Laws Central Queensland University

• Central Queensland University offers a 3-year bachelor of laws online.  The estimated entry requirement is an ATAR between 74 and 81 (OP 9-12).

Bachelor of Laws University of the Sunshine Coast

• USC offers a 4-year Bachelor of Laws at the Sunshine Coast campus with a minimum estimated entry ATAR of 77 which equates to an OP of 11.

Bachelor of Laws – James Cook University

• JCU offers a 4-year Bachelor of Laws at the Townsville and Cairns campuses.  The approximate ATAR entry score is 73 which equates to an OP of 12.

Bachelor of Laws – Southern Cross University

• Southern Cross University offers a law degree online, at Lismore and at the Gold Coast campus.  Students can also attend summer school to knock over this four-year course faster.  Previous ATAR entries were gained at 84 (OP of 8) however, projections for the 2021 intake have not yet been released.

Bachelor of Laws – Open University

• Open University offers a Bachelor of Laws via the University of New England and delivers the course online.  The entry requirements for Open University are different to those of a regular university.  To learn more about studying with Open University contact their Advice team.

Calculating your ATAR Score for a Law Degree

ATAR scores are complex beasts.  In fact, the guide to doing it is a 31 page PDF.   Each subject score is calculated based on four key marks:

• Examination marks
• Assessment marks
• Senior study marks
• Performance Band

However these are then subject to school scaling and subject scaling (read our first timer’s guide to ATAR).  Aiming higher than expected is the safest way to ensure your child gets the offer that they dream about.

All ATAR scores are calculated on a minimum number of subjects and each carries a different “weight”.  For a Law degree the key subject is English. (Learn how to get an A in English)  Your child’s English performance will be important so make sure they keep their rankings up.

How to get into Law without an ATAR

Check each university’s site for specifics but some also offer clear pathways to a law degree if your child doesn’t get the ATAR score needed to get straight into a Bachelor of Laws.  Some universities also offer mid-year intakes where the requisite ATAR score differs to the start of year score.  If your student misses out on a placement by a fraction of a rank, talk to your school guidance counsellor about options.

If your child doesn’t qualify for an ATAR score as they did not complete a minimum of ten units of ATAR courses, they may still be able to attend university.  The most common way to get onto the academic track if you don’t attain an ATAR at graduation is to take a short, intensive bridging course or do a VET (Vocational Training) course. Each University has a different policy on non-standard entry.  Your child may be able to sit admissions tests or use life experience to gain a placement as a mature aged student.

What ATAR score do you need for a Bachelor of Legal Studies (Arts) or Justice Studies?

If your child misses out on the ATAR score needed to enter a Bachelor of Laws, they can take classes in related fields.  Legal Studies or Justice Studies may offer core first year units that are also requirements of first year Law students.  If you are worried about gaining entry to a Bachelor of Laws, you can always add a lower scored course to your child’s preferences – to be sure to catch an offer.  Do your research, learn which subject codes are common to both degrees.  That way the “fall back” course serves as first year of Laws too.  When your child transitions out of their “stop gap” course and into their Law Degree, they can transition straight into second year.

How to achieve the ATAR for Law in Queensland

If you’re worried, call in a pro.  Our team of professional tutors don’t just help with subject matter, they help adjust your child’s mindset and attitude.  An inspired child reaches their goals far easier than a resistant one.  A Team Tuition isn’t just simple tutoring. Our techniques were developed by educators and child psychologists to achieve better results.  And we do.

 

See how one year 12 student went from Cs to As in a single semester.

 

What ATAR do you need to be a lawyer? Tell your child this!

What ATAR do you need to get into law?  The best possible ATAR you can achieve.  Aim high.  Pursue your goals with passion.  The real competition isn’t about your cohort, or students aiming for a place in a law degree.  The real competition is with yourself.  Outdo yourself at every turn.  Work smarter.  Work harder.  What ATAR you be a lawyer is not as important as the ATAR you need to be your best.

 

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Class of 2020? Here’s What Parents of Year 12 Kids Must Know

There’s nobody so anxious as a year twelve student, in 2020.  It was always going to be a testing year, with exams, the transition to ATAR, the stress of applying to universities and preparing for life after school.  Then…along came COVID-19.  The uncertainty about how year 12 study and testing will be carried out is testing resistance, patience and family relationships.  The Victorian government had already laid out their plans at the time that Queensland announced.  Victorian students are welcome back at school but most will do their final year of high school (or at least a good chunk of it) from home.  So what about Queensland kids? Well, the plan is out. At least now we have some answers, if not many details.  Here’s what parents need to know.

What is the plan year 12, 2020?

Today Dan Tehan announced that all year twelve students will complete their ATAR (or other year 12 certification) in 2020.  ATAR scores and university placements will be “adjusted” to take into account the additional struggles that the class of 2020 will face this year, however, it’s largely “business as usual” in unusual circumstances. The government is actively trying to avoid mass repeats of the senior year and is calling on both schools and universities to develop policies for achieving fair ATAR results and placements. Schools will be open for children who cannot stay at home because parents need to work or if they have limited access to technology.  By year twelve, however, the issues around child care for essential workers are less of a priority than in younger children.

What does this mean for your child’s ATAR score?

ATAR has been hailed as a fairer and more accurate assessment of student achievement (learn more about ATAR VS OP) however it does rely more heavily on single examinations for rankings than the old system.  The announcement did not go into specifics on how they plan to alter the ATAR testing model to keep students from being disadvantaged if they’re unable to attend a regular classroom.  They also failed to elaborate on subjects like Chemistry where the majority of the coursework cannot be done at home (unless, you know, you’ve got a bunsen burner in the kitchen).  What does it mean for your year twelve student?

 

“We’re all in the same boat” – or are we?

For the majority of Australian kids, it means that they’ll study at home while mum and dad go to work.  All good.  Except that it means kids who struggle with study skills, self-motivation, taking initiative, managing their time – this is where the system may fall down.  While “attendance” in an online classroom could be mandatory, the level of focus and how hard your child applies him or herself in that situation comes down to the individual.  Not all teens are brimming with enthusiasm and motivation.

It also creates problems for non-neurotypical students who may face additional barriers to learning.  Some children with autism struggle with sudden changes to routine.  Where a regular classroom setting may be a suitable environment for some non-neurotypical kids, online learning may not suit.

For children in remote areas or areas with patchy internet access, there will also be struggles beyond what city kids experience.  While your child may have all the advantages of any suburban Australian child, each individual child will react differently to this sudden change in the system and routines they’ve known their whole academic life.  Some will fair better than others.

Are all schools doing the same thing?

While all year 12 students in 2020 are technically in the same situation, leveling the playing field for ATAR ranking isn’t as simple as jumping online.  While all students will undergo the same assessments at the same time, some students will have better support.  As a concerned parent, you’re already giving your child the edge by demonstrating that you’re on their side and ready to help.  Some schools, however, will have better infrastructure for online learning and be better resourced for one on one student help.  This is a big year for high achieving Queensland schools, as their stellar record for OP scores and university placements will be on trial as we transition to ATAR.  Schools will be going the extra mile to ensure their students get all the support that they need.  So, how can you ensure your child remains on a level playing field?

Review their study skills

Study skills aren’t just ‘putting in the long hours”.  The study skills that matter most now are nothing to do with books.  Study skills that are absolutely vital at a time like this include:

• setting the right goals,
• keeping focused at this difficult time,
• taking ownership of their study,
• feeling confident that they can still achieve their goals
• feeling able to solve problems
• and most importantly, being able to pick themselves up after all these setbacks.

Resilience is the most vital study skill your year twelve child can master right now.  As a parent, you’re faced with the impossible task of helping your child understand that they can, and must overcome setbacks, no matter how unfair and difficult.  Because this is unfair.  This is the worst-case scenario for your teen.  Finding the balance between empathy and motivation will be a hard task for most mums and dads.

Compensate for classroom learning aids

Discuss with your teen how they best learn.  Everyone consumes and processes information differently, this is called our “learning language”.  Assess what kind of learner your child really is so you can make sure that the resources needed to best learn are at hand.  If your child needs a whiteboard, you’ll need to get a whiteboard.  If your child needs visual examples, you may need to seek out videos demonstrating the content they’re learning.  While all this may be available in their regular classroom, not every parent has a DNA model nearby for reference.  Understanding your child’s learning preferences is key to compensating for the lack of classroom.

Understand the new process and break it down into a “plan”

Your child has learned, over the last 13 years to plan their homework, their assessments and their exam preparation through doing it over and over with the same formula.  When they can’t rely solely on the tried and true combination of taking notes, doing assignments and set study periods, they may feel “out of control”.  That feeling is very real.  In the past few weeks, everyone has experienced this uneasy feeling of being “along for a terrible ride”.  The key way to help your child feel back in control is to establish a workable routine.  Your routine will be key to keeping your child up to date on the senior curriculum.

• Use the new assessment date range to plan out study goals
• Set up a routine for “live lessons” followed by tutorials/worksheets.  Your school will likely offer advice on this.
• Using your child’s learning language, source resources that will help them to process the curriculum
• Talk to your teacher about how online lessons will run and what to do if your child begins struggling
• Nip any bad habits in the bud right now.  While sleeping half the day may be signs of anxiety and overwhelm, it’s not actually a healthy way to deal with negative feelings.
• Set weekly goals and integrate those into the new routine.

 

The devil is in the missing details

At this stage, further details are due for release on Thursday.  At the moment, schools will resume according to the 2020 planned school year (which differs slightly from state to state).  There were plans floated about a “summer semester” and delayed graduation but for now, the “big picture plan” is business as usual.  The major questions still being asked by parents include:

• Will there be changes to the “weight” of various ATAR assessments?
• Will parents have the option to have their year 12 repeat in 2021 if they don’t achieve their study goals?
• How will ATAR testing happen if social distancing continues?
• How will schools combat “cheating” when children take exams from home?
• How will they determine what is fair compensation for children who are affected very badly (poor access to technology etc)?
• How will they model the effectiveness of ATAR in Queensland when this is its maiden year?
• Will there be a system of appeal if an ATAR score is lower than expected?
• What can be done by parents to help prepare for ATAR testing if that preparation is no longer happening “in a classroom”?
• How will schools monitor attendance and will this lead to more kids “running amok” during school hours?
• What is in place to ensure that the class of 2020 is up to speed and ready for first-year university – so there is no long term issues around missing knowledge?

If it’s really important to you, and your child, hire a professional

Parents across the world have just realised that they’re not teachers.  In fact, the textbooks may as well be written in Greek.  A Surd?  What even is a surd?  The anxiety you’re feeling about irrational surds is nothing compared to your teen’s anxiety.  Be careful not to make it worse.  If your very teaching methods are inducing anxiety, then you will actually be harming their chances of achieving their goals.  Step back.  Netflix and chill.  If your school isn’t offering one-on-one coaching for your year twelve student, a quality private tutor makes all the difference.  A professional tutor will focus not only on the curriculum but on your child’s barriers to learning.  Typically an A Team Tutor will:

1.  Assess your child’s study skills and implement changes to suit their strengths and weakness
2. Determine your child’s learning language and craft tutorials around it, so your child stays engaged and processes more information
3. Tackle their biggest struggles in a gentle way.  If they LOVE English but hate maths, our tutor will help ease them through maths lessons, using language exercises to demonstrate the mathematical content.
4. Provide you with feedback on your child’s progress and give you tips on how to help them through

Ask For Help

Year 12, 2020 is going to be a challenging one.  But don’t worry, you’ve got this.

 

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