recapping past efforts

Motivation

Since I'm coming to this having been working on this project for some time, I thought that I'd do a few posts to fill in the background.

Networked tracking software

Because I have a number of non specialists delivering ICT alongside me, I decided to try out some networked software that allows students to track their progress through units. I decided to use JAS (joint assessment software). Along side this is a teacher module that allows staff to view and edit their classes' progress and an Admin module that allows you to add pupils to units and edit and create new units, as well as a reporting tool and quiz maker.

This has worked well - students like the fact that they can record their progress, but feedback from teachers is separated out from the assessment of work. Also, the reporting package doesn't fit in with SIMS (the school admin software) and we have quiz makers already.

What I was looking for was something that allows students to test outcomes (i.e. if I do this, what will my grade be?) as well as to track their current progress. From a teacher viewpoint it needed to be easy to use, and require minimal extra effort to use. Finally, I wanted a system that allowed the teacher to assess and record the student's progress during the course of the discussion about the work.