Hi all (again)
As I said yesterday, the tutors are going to e-mail notes, which I will send to anyone that wants them; in the meantime here are a few tips and pointers that came up yesterday:
Block 1
3 or 4 central themes link all the chapters together; if you keep this general structure in mind with this block you will be able to cope with any question (the same rule actually applies to each block; read the Introduction and it will always provide you with the basic skeleton to bear in mind - always use introduction as springboard for revision).
Piaget and Kohlberg are important. You may be asked to explain their theories in connection with discourses.
Be familiar with the 3 approaches (Scientific, Social Constructionist, Applied Approach) and the discourses (Romantic, Puritian, Tabula Rasa and the more modern discourse that states that children are neither good nor bad nor a blank slate but are competent, active meaning makers in their own lives).
Be familiar with the justice and welfare models and their connection with the discourses.
Bring in the discourses whenever you are talking about the Social Constructionist approach.
Always assume that the reader is clueless; every answer has a WHAT part to introduce the themes; information first, point afterwards.
Always stick to your question and the point you are making.
Do not memorise; make sense of theories and assumptions and use case studies to help you make a point. You can refer to something generally; it does not have to be precise (eg: 'according to UNICEF figures, there are millions of children living in poverty').
Keep structure in mind for each block.
Block 2
Keep key points in mind; Hugh Cunningham (Work & School) is especially useful to keep in mind, as are Merton and Paul Willis - however these, if quoted, must be 'brought up to date' so when referring to their studies, compare it to now and reference where possible to back it up.
Boyden et al and Woodhead are also worth bearing in mind, as are the approaches of Erikson and Beck.
Always keep in mind the issues of social class, gender, age, ethnicity, culture etc.
(I found this tutor less helpful with 'useful hints' for the exam, so that's about it for that one!!).
Block 3
Be creative and express yourself but avoid own experiences and opinions - always back everything up with evidence.
What is the theme of the question all about?
In order to pass the exam:
1) Show up!
2) Don't write your own life story
3) Read the question properly - what is it asking you to do?
4) Do not read and memorise everything, associate all that you do read to the frameworks mentioned earlier.
Block 4
(I should think much of this would apply to any block)
* Have a clear sense of the content of the course materials relevant to the question
* Be familiar with and use the key concepts, definitions and discuss in relation to them
* Know the key themes relevant to the question - eg: local or global - between or within countries etc
* Be familiar with the key theories and debates eg: risk or protective factors; adversity and resilience etc Causes of poverty, violence, ill-health etc. Be aware of the 'pairs' (poverty & wealth, adversity or resilience and so on) and discuss both sides.
* Use illustrations of studies and research from which theories have been derived (eg: the Oakland & Berkely study; Hawaii Study).
* Refer to key authors - often in the readings - for example, UNICEF on Poverty.
* Use case studies of children from text or AV to illustrate points being made (eg: Lek for absolute poverty, Kelly & her Sisters for relative poverty).
* Keep a strong sense of process - what have you been asked to do? Compare/contrast/discuss from all angles. Outline the theme; describe in brief detail; do you agree or disagree (in your mind, not on paper!), take a line either way and support it with the relevant evidence. In what ways - describe how...
* There is no such thing as an absolute statement.
* If you are asked to 'evaluate' you should say whether the statement is valid in relation to something else. Back it up with evidence, compare boy/gir, North/South and so on as appropriate.
If you manage to cover 3 or 4 of these points, you will pass easily - if you manage to cover all of them, you will get 90%.
* Keep in mind Barnardos, Save the Children etc
* If you see a question and select knowledge that supports your argument to make a good debate you will get 80-90%. Limit case studies to illustrate a point rather than becoming the discussion.
* It is worth making a plan; notes etc can be taken into account by the examiner if you don't finish the exam; they can see what you were thinking and can make a note accordingly on your script, taking into account your thinking when deciding the score. Draw a line around notes, plan etc and label it 'Plan' so that it's clear.
* If you are asked 'to what extent do you agree' your voice is that of the key theories - discuss both sides of the argument etc.
* An excellent case study to use is that of the Vietnamese child in whose life the authorities intervened (sorry - yet to track that down precisely!!).
* There is a debate at the heart of every essay question
* Questions can be answered by referring to other blocks, but should refer on the whole to the block in question. Poverty, for example, could include Maya from Block 1.
* Do not just sit and write all that you know about a theme; be discriminate and keep it relevant to the question!
One theme running throughout Block 4 that is worth keeping in mind is that of Local and Global. Globalisation is the 'dominance of Northern Capital' (eg: World Bank, SAPS etc).
Phew! Hope that helps everyone. I've also got a copy of a few sample questions. The lady that took Block 4 said that if you put those together with the ones for the TMAs and in the sample exam paper, it's more or less got everything covered as there is a limit to the questions they can ask... So I will be typing those up separately and will include them (remind me!!) with any notes that come via e-mail if you wish.
Good luck everyone - to be frank I'm scared witless about it all...!!!
Some more general hints:
*Choose the blocks to study and stick to those rather than trying to revise the whole course!
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I always get lost in London - you'd think by the law of averages I'd walk the right way by chance just once, wouldn't you?! 
Will watch for it. 
