1 Using InCAS Assessments Information Seminar for Classroom Assistants Anne Cromie and Diane Owens August 2010

2 Learning Intentions Classroom Assistants working with pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) will: Understand their supportive role in the management of InCAS; Be aware of the range of assessments offered by InCAS; Complete the assessments from a pupils perspective; Consider the challenges which may be faced by pupils with SEN; and Share best practice.

3 Overview of the Day amInCAS in Northern Ireland amCoffee Break amCompleting Statutory and Optional Assessments pmLunch 1.30 pmGuidance for Using InCAS with Pupils who have SEN 2.30 pmPlenary and evaluation

4 InCAS in Northern Ireland Session 1

5 What is InCAS? Interactive Computerised Assessment System: is a computer-based diagnostic assessment which is adaptive; focuses on the pupil as an individual; selects the initial question based on the pupils age; and presents further questions in response to the pupils answers.

6 General Maths: Example 1 X X X XX This assessment produced a General Maths Age of 7yrs 9m for Marina. X XX XX 5yrs 4m 10yrs 7yrs 4m 9yrs 2m 7yrs 6m 8yrs 4m 7yrs 7m 8yrs 2m This is the age range covered during this set of questions. Pupils are asked several sets of questions to give them a number of chances to demonstrate their ability. The number of questions in each set may vary depending on how many right answers a child gives.. X X X XX XX XXX To give her a good chance of getting the first question correct InCAS chose a question which is targeted at a pupil younger than her actual age. Marinas actual age is 7yrs 3m.

7 General Maths: Example 2 XXXX XXXX 8yrs 6m 10yrs 4m XX X X XXX XX XXXX 5yrs 6 6yrs 2m 3yrs 1m 4yrs 11m 4yrs 6yrs 4yrs 4m 8yrs 5m Robert was 11yrs 1m when he sat this General Maths assessment. This assessment produced a General Maths Age of 6yrs 2m for Robert.

8 InCAS: provides a wealth of information at pupil, class and school level; highlights pupils strengths and areas for improvement so that teachers can determine what pupils know and can do; can inform teacher planning and target setting; and provides age-related scores and diagnostic information to facilitate personalised learning. Purpose of InCAS

9 Statutory Assessments WhatReading and General Maths InCAS should be completed WhoBy all pupils in Years 4, 5, 6 and 7 except for those with severe learning difficulties (SLD) WhenDuring the autumn term WhereIn all schools across N.I ParentsWritten age-equivalent InCAS outcomes for Reading and General Maths, set alongside the pupils chronological age should be provided to parents before the end of the autumn term

10 Information for Parents

11 Pupil Progress Chart

12 InCAS Reading Reading: has 3 modules; takes a maximum of 30 minutes; has a continue button after each module; and must be completed in one sitting. Word Recognition and Word Decoding are completed by all pupils. Comprehension is: selected based on the pupils performance in the first 2 modules; and not given to pupils who perform very poorly in either or both of the first 2 modules.

13 InCAS General Maths General Maths: has questions that are read aloud; takes a maximum of 20 minutes; and has no continue buttons Please note: Pupils are allowed to use pencil and paper during General Maths but will get no marks for anything that they write down. It is important to keep pupils on task!

14 Create an Assessment 1.Using your own name, enter yourself as a pupil. 2.Create the statutory assessments. 3.Make a note of your passwords.

15 Session 2 Completing Statutory and Optional Assessments

16 NI Curriculum Website

17 Inky Pupil Demo All pupils should be given the opportunity to view the Inky Pupil demo before they use InCAS. Remember that: it can be paused at key points or rewound for emphasis; you do not have to watch the whole demo at once; and pupils can watch Inky as many times as is necessary. Inkys Reminders are also a useful resource. Remember that they: appear at the end of each demo; can be controlled by clicking the mouse; and have no voice over.

18 Supporting Pupils Support for pupils should: focus on individual needs; and take account of usual methods of working in the classroom. Support for pupils should not: give them an unfair advantage over other pupils; or offer help which reduces the reliability or validity of the outcomes.

19 Complete a Statutory Assessment 1.Decide which statutory assessment to complete. 2.Log-In using the password that you created earlier. 3.Complete your assessment.

20 Sight, e.g. picture, colour, and layout Sound, e.g. headphones, audio speed Motor Skills, e.g. use of mouse Attention, e.g. question length, environment Content, e.g. style and format of questions SEN Challenges Activity While completing InCAS consider the following … … and note any aspect that might cause difficulties for pupils.

21 SEN Challenges Activity Discussion 1.In a group, discuss challenges identified when completing the statutory assessment. 2.Compile a list of key challenges.

22 Check that when you enter your special password it is your name and the assessment that you are expecting that appears. You will hear instructions as you go along. Check that the volume is not too loud or too quiet because once you start the assessment you cannot change it again! Assessments cannot be paused once they have begun. Cannot answer the question until you have listened to it all. You will know you have heard it all when the arrows turn green. If you want to listen to the question again, use the Again button. When it is time to start the assessment for real you will hear – Get ready! Now try these. Remember, you wont see any more smiley faces from here on. It is really important to listen carefully, to concentrate, do your best and enjoy using the software.

23 Optional InCAS Spelling; Mental Arithmetic (consists of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division modules); Developed Ability (consists of picture vocabulary and non-verbal ability modules); and Attitudes (consists of Attitude to Reading, Maths and to School – it produces a score on a scale from 1-5 / negative to positive).

24 InCAS Spelling

25 InCAS Mental Arithmetic

26 InCAS Developed Ability Picture Vocabulary

27 InCAS Developed Ability Non-Verbal

28 InCAS Attitudes

29 Complete an Optional Assessment 1.Create an optional assessment for yourself. 2.Make a note of the password. 3.Complete your assessment.

30 Session 3 Guidance for Using InCAS with Pupils who have SEN

31 Checklist Before Using InCAS Consult with the class teacher and support teachers. Make sure that no one is logged in using the ADMIN password. Check that pupils understand that this is not a computer game. Ensure that pupils have been well prepared and are as confident as possible using the computer. Give the pupils some indication of the duration of the assessments. Check that the sound is working on all the computers/laptops. Make sure that the headphones, tables, chairs and monitors are suitable for the pupils. Decide whether your pupil should use a mouse/ touch pad or a laptop/PC/whiteboard.

32 Remember… Pupils should not: use concrete materials or visual aids for General Maths; receive any help which would affect the reliability of the assessment; get up and leave before they are finished; or distract other pupils still working.

33 Using InCAS When using InCAS ensure that pupils: tell you/or the teacher when they have completed an assessment; are aware of appropriate strategies (need to listen carefully, think and then respond); and dont have to complete all the assessments on one day. After pupils finish it may be useful for them to: receive positive feedback/meaningful reward; be allowed to have a rest; and have the opportunity to do some informal activities.

34 Communication and Interaction Difficulties Possible strategies Social story; Understand the language on the computer screen; and Practise with Inky to help them understand when to use these commands. Use available resources to minimise the pupils communication and interaction difficulties.

35 Visual Impairment Possible strategies Use a largest monitor available; LCD magnifier screen has been attached, where appropriate; Optimum screen size 800 x 600; Keyboard is removed; Cursor is adjusted so that it is larger with higher contrast; and Lighting is good and there is no glare. Use available equipment to maximise the pupils residual vision.

36 Hearing Impairment Possible Strategies Quiet room; Volume is at an appropriate level and pupils can discriminate the recorded voice; and Access to a live speaker where appropriate. Use available equipment to maximise the pupils residual hearing.

37 Physical Difficulties Possible strategies Keep the pupil as comfortable and stable as possible; Register the pupils answer for them, where necessary; Remove unnecessary equipment to minimise the barriers; Maximise screen size including use of a whiteboard to facilitate eye pointing; and Ensure equipment is correctly adjusted. Use available equipment to minimise the pupils physical difficulties.

38 Medical Conditions and Syndromes Possible strategies Position to allow monitoring of the pupils face for any condition where they become dazed, confused, lose consciousness or have a seizure; Check blood glucose level for diabetic pupils; Have suitable chairs, desks and supports for pupils who have a tremor or instability; Ensure that aids for concentration are available, such as a wobble cushion, weighted jacket or other supports; Remove anything which may become a distraction, e.g. fidget supports. Use equipment, support aids and appropriate medication to minimise pupil difficulties. :

39 Effective classroom assistants… timulate interestMotivate pupils by knowing what they enjoy. nderstand the taskUnderstand the software and Inky to equip you to provide any information that pupils need. lan aheadMinimise the challenges that pupils may face. repareReduce pupil stress and anxiety allowing them to perform as well as possible. bserveMonitor pupils throughout the assessment not just at the beginning and end. ewardEncourage pupils to do their best and to complete their assessments. ask manageEnsure pupils stay on task. Be gentle but firm. upportOffer guidance but dont give pupils the answers.

40 Evaluation Please complete the evaluation. This is important as your comments are valued and will inform future training.