Communication and Using Mathematics
Training for primary teachers on the Levels of Progression for Communication and Using Mathematics is taking place during the school year 2011-12.
125 primary schools took part in a pilot of the model of training during April-June 2011.
Model of training
The training for Communication and Using Mathematics is a blend of face-to-face and online learning. It is made up of three modules or stages.
Module 1 - Preparing for Training (face-to-face)
Who: Up to two teachers from each school (depending on school size)
What: Managing the delivery of the online training in school
Module 2 - Online Learning
Who: Whole school
What: Levels of Progression for Communication and Using Mathematics
Module 3 - Agreement Trials (face-to-face)
Who: Whole school
What: Applying the Levels of Progression to the assessment of pupil work
You can find the Module 1 and 3 training dates and venues for each school in the ‘Training Dates’ spreadsheet on this page.
Using ICT
Training for primary teachers on the Levels of Progression for Using ICT is planned to be offered from September 2012. Information about the training format will be provided later in the current school year.
Pilot Schools’ Training Updates
You can read about the evaluation of the pilot by downloading a copy of the report from this page.
The evaluation highlighted the effectiveness of the training model in developing teachers’ understanding of the incoming assessment arrangements for Communication and Using Mathematics.
Some updates were made to training materials following the evaluation of the pilot. These include:
- a link in the Toolbox section of the online course to a new library of Assessment Tasks (see Tasks and Exemplification);
- more pupil work and commentaries in the online Exemplification Library;
- information in the Agreement Trials Day (Module 3) Powerpoint presentation about the CCEA 'Shadow Year' trial of the assessment arrangements and proposals for Moderation (please contact the INSET helpdesk if you would like a copy of the updated presentation emailed to you) ;
- minor changes to the 'Guide to Assessment';
- minor changes to the login guide for the online course; and
- minor changes to the Module 1 'Facilitators' Guide'.
Tasks and Exemplification
Task Library
The online course now contains a link to a library of Assessment Tasks.
The tasks are intended for first use with Year 4 and Year 7 pupils in the school year 2012/13. They are marked ‘Draft’ as they may be subject to future minor amendments. At present, only a small number of tasks is available. More will be added during the school years 2011-13.
The library also contains guidance about using tasks and levelling pupil work.
To browse the library, log in to the online course and click on the Task Library link in the course Toolbox.
Exemplification Library
You can search the online Exemplification library for examples of pupil work in Communication and Using Mathematics which illustrate the standards for Levels 1-5.
These samples come from primary and post-primary pupils. As more schools begin to engage with the Levels of Progression additional material for Communication and Using Mathematics (and at a later stage Using ICT) will be added to the library.
To browse the library, log in to the online course and click on the Exemplification Library link in the course Toolbox.
Additional Updates
An update to the SEN section of the online course was made in November 2011. It now includes information about a new resource to support the assessment of pupils with special educational needs who are working towards Level 1.