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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.
The app takes a time to collect sufficient data and presents it to the teacher in the topic dashboard 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.
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