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We use a trial and improvement process, to quickly find learners' learning strengths and gaps in each topic.
Round 1 We ask one question on a few key layers from each topic - if the learner doesn't get the first question correct on the layer, they are not asked a second one from the layer, as we are looking for firm learning foundations.
Round 2 We then decide which other layers to ask a question from - based on which key layers the learner could answer correctly - we call these interesting layers, again we'll ask a second question only if the first question was answered correctly.
We do all we can to ensure the data we collect is accurate
Each each learner is randomly assigned their first pre assess question - so the chance the learner can copy one of their peers is dramatically reduced;
answering a question on an assignment is much less stressful than answering a question in a class, where some learners will feel they will be “shown up” so teachers are less likely to see a false negative,
We ask at least 2 questions from a layer before we decide the learner has probably mastered the questions in that layer - so the chance of a lucky question distorting our assessment is reduced.
When The app takes a time to collect sufficient data and presents it to the teacher looks at the Progress in Topic from plan teach and no longer sees grey blue boxes, then the topic is fully pre assessed.
Progress on Topic
Progress on Topic shows the teacher can see how the class is making progress on the layers within a topic.
At the moment the teacher can only find the Progress on Topic within the 2. Plan section of each Planning and Preparation Session.
The information shown within Progress on Topic is about how firm the app considers the learner's learning on the layers in the topic.
Each square represents, by its colour, the learner's progress in each layer within the topic.
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Colour code
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Meaning of the colour
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Type of practice
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Firmness of learning
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Likelihood of feedback
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Light grey means the layer has not been assessed yet
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Not practising
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Unknown
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0
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Blue-grey means the layer is in the process of being pre assessed.
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Pre assess practice
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Unknown
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0
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White means the learner has been pre assessed on this layer and couldn't answer 2 questions independently and accurately.
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Not practising
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Needs teaching
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0
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Light blue means the layer is fragile learning.
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Retrieval practise
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Fragile, likely to be forgotten unless practised frequently
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The learner may need feedback.
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Medium blue means the layer is more embedded in the learner's memory than fragile learning but not yet mastered.
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Retrieval practice
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Improving, needs more practice than fragile**, but less than mastered
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The learner is unlikely to need feedback
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The deeper shade of blue means the layer is considered mastered.
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Retrieval practice**
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Provides firm foundations for harder learning
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→ 0
** Sometimes improving layers and mastered layers are not practised within the learner's PDF assignments because the layers have been "covered" by another layer i.e. the learner no longer needs to practise the easier layer, because they are practising a harder layerdashboard grid - so that planning is easy for the teacher and hence every learner is likely to be able to learn what they are taught each lesson.
See https://timelypractice.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CKB/pages/3110699127/Using+timely+practice#(4)-when-can-the-teacher-begin-to-use-Plan-Teaching-within-the-app%3F for more information - and how the teacher can track the pre assess process.