Innovative Teachers VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR Homepage Title ALTA

Innovative Teachers VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR Homepage Title ALTA Mathematics 2009 Objective/s • Evaluate the effectiveness of using Web Based Software (ALTA Maths) to enhance pupils’ experiences and improve pupils’ attainment in mathematics using ICT as a vehicle for learning. • To review the usefulness of ALTA as a diagnostic assessment tool. Creator/s Lorraine Munro, Debbie Thom, ICT Nursery/Primary Staff Tutors, Dundee City Council Date June 2009 Web Links ALTA Systems ALTA Maths for Schools

Innovative Teachers VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR About Learning Together in Dundee Background/ Rationale Alta Maths for Schools is a complete, web-based, formative assessment system which is on-line and interactive. It is designed for primary and post primary schools, with content specifically designed for the Northern Ireland, Scotland England curricula. It supports students in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (aged 5 to 14). For Pupils • Challenging and stimulating questions • Increased motivation and enjoyment • Great variety of questions and response types • Immediate assessment and feedback, with model answers • Voiceovers for students with reading difficulties or those for whom English is a second language • Opportunity to develop ICT skills Documents ALTA Scottish Maths Walkthrough Web Links ALTA Maths for Schools Demo For Teachers • Better reliability and strong feedback • More focused and personalised teaching • Massive reduction in administrative tasks • Good basis for parent-teacher discussions • Accurate and reliable assessment

Innovative Teachers VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR People Learning Together in Dundee People Three schools are taking part in this project. Claypotts Castle PS P 4 a and class teacher Mrs Pauline Mc. Donald P 4 b and class teacher Ms Sasha Barter (control class) DHT – Sally Byers Craigiebarns PS (Maths setting – 5 groups) P 6 & 7 teachers and classes DHT – Avril Martin Eastern PS (who took part in the project last year) Classes and Teachers P 4 -7 DHT – Vivenne Snee Lorraine Munro ICT Nursery/Primary Staff Tutor Debbie Thom ICT Nursery/Primary Staff Tutor Web Links Claypotts Castle PS Blog Craigebarns PS Blog Eastern PS Website

Innovative Teachers VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR Project Learning Together in Dundee Project The Project began in January 2009. Claypotts Castle Primary School Claypotts Castle are a control school with P 4 a using the ALTA system and P 4 b sitting a practice test at the beginning of the project and a level test at the end. A model lesson was presented to P 4 a and their teacher. The control class were supported to complete the tests. Craigiebarns Primary School Craigiebarns Primary 6 and 7 pupils use the ALTA system. Craigiebarns use maths setting and have five setting groups. We delivered model lessons to each group along with their teacher. A teacher twilight was also provided. Eastern Primary School Eastern used the ALTA system in a similar project last year and came on board again in March. You can view the results of last years project below. Documents Training Timetable Claypotts Castle PS Web Links Eastern PS ALTA VCT Training Timetable Craigiebarns PS Parental Permission Letter

Innovative Teachers Children’s Views VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR Impact Learning Together in Dundee Impact Staff and Pupils at both schools have given their views about how ALTA has worked for them through video interviews and questionnaires. Comments from all users have been similar although the Primary 4 classes at Claypotts Castle PS found their children needed longer to become accustomed to ALTA than the older classes Primary 6 and 7 classes at Craigiebarns PS. Click for the findings from Claypotts Castle PS Documents ALTA Activity Sept-May 09 Click for the findings from Craigiebarns PS

Innovative Teachers VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR Learning Together in Dundee Impact Claypotts Castle Primary School Children’s Views *Liked being able to choose their own level *Liked being able to repeat practice questions in areas that they were having difficulty *Liked doing their Maths on the computer rather than in a text book *Enjoyed being challenged Staff Views *Good assessment tool *Good for reinforcement *Good for independent working *Good diagnostic tool *Management issues e. g. Accessing computers *Some questions too challenging *Some children found reading questions a problem e. g. font/reading ability (there is a speech engine tool to listen to questions) Documents Claypotts Castle PS Powerpoint Evidence ALTA Questionnaire Results Claypotts Castle PS P 4 Video Results

Innovative Teachers VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR Learning Together in Dundee Impact Craigiebarns Primary School Children’s Views *Like being challenged *It’s fun *Liked being able to monitor their own progress *Liked practicing difficult questions over and over again Staff Views *Tracking pupil progress on particular learning outcomes *Consolidating concepts previously taught *Great to focus their practice on an area the pupil is struggling with *Assessment tool for teacher *Children feel motivated and challenged *Used ALTA two half hour slots a week, longer periods were unproductive *ALTA acts as an indicator to where extra input is required either on an individual or class basis Documents ALTA Questionnaire Results Craigiebarns PS Video Results

Innovative Teachers VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR Next Steps Learning Together in Dundee Next Steps High Quality Training Informing others about the ALTA Project It is important that other schools are able to find out more about using ALTA and can access information about the successful outcome of the project. The following tasks need to be completed in order for that to happen: • The VCT will be made available for ALTA Maths. This will be found at http: //dc 2. ea. dundeecity. sch. uk/vct/ • Post information about the project in a Glow Group at Dundee City Council level within the Pilot Projects Glow Group, Glow Groups, ALTA Maths • Post information about the project on the ICT Staff Tutors Blog, Craigiebarns Primary School Blog and Claypotts Castle Primary School Blog along with links. • Present this information to other schools who may be looking to raise attainment in Mathematics through using ICT as a vehicle for learning. Web Links ALTA Glow Group (You will need to request access to this site) Dundee City Council VCT Site