VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR

1. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR 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

2. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR About Learning Together in Dundee Background/ Alta Maths for Schools is a complete, web-based, formative assessmentsystem which is on-line and interactive. It is designed for primary and post primary schools, with content specifically designed for the Northern Ireland, Scotland and England curricula. It supports students in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (aged 5 to 14). Rationale • 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 • 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 ALTA Scottish Maths Walkthrough Documents ALTA Maths for Schools Demo Web Links

3. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR People Learning Together in Dundee People Three schools are taking part in this project. Claypotts Castle PS P4 a and class teacher Mrs Pauline McDonald P4b and class teacher Ms Sasha Barter (control class) DHT – Sally Byers Craigiebarns PS (Maths setting – 5 groups) P6 & 7 teachers and classes DHT – Avril Martin Eastern PS (who took part in the project last year) Classes and Teachers P4-7 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

4. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR Project Learning Together in Dundee The Project began in January 2009. Claypotts Castle Primary School Claypotts Castle are a control school with P4a using the ALTA system and P4b sitting a practice test at the beginning of the project and a level test at the end. A model lesson was presented to P4a 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. Project Documents Training Timetable Claypotts Castle PS Training Timetable Craigiebarns PS Parental Permission Letter Web Links Eastern PS ALTA VCT

5. Children’s Views Children’s Views Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR 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 Click for the findings from Craigiebarns PS Documents ALTA Activity Sept-May 09

6. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR 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 Claypotts Castle PS P4 Video Results

7. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR 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 Craigiebarns PS Video Results

8. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR 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://dc2.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