The learner journey
It starts with initial assessment and
diagnostics to produce an ISP.
The ForSkills system uses a sophisticated assessment engine that significantly
improves accuracy and reduces the length of time a learner takes. It’s normally
a two phase process lasting about half an hour each. In the first phase, the
learner answers a series of screening questions before being given around 25
questions from a “bank of thousands”. The result that you get from this is an
overall level and spiky profile.
After the initial assessment, learners can then take a break and move onto step
2 - the diagnostic part – this is 20 or so questions, delivered at the level
indicated by the spiky profile. At the end of the diagnostic assessment, the
system automatically produces an individual skills plan or ISP – others may
call it an ILP.
The results of the initial assessment at step 1 also indicates the time taken
by the learner, an excellent indicator of their engagement, and whether any of
the additional learning needs (dyslexia and dyscalculia) were highlighted by
the questions they answered – that’s not a separate test, the assessment engine
works this out based on flagged questions.
The overall result also shows the spiky profile, ever so important to identify
where the skills gaps are as we use these results to then construct a
diagnostic test based on the spiky profile – there’s no point at all in asking
questions and setting problems the learner can’t be expected to achieve, that’s
not the case with all systems though, it’s best to check.
The e-learning loop
The-elearning loop is essentially stages 3 and
4.
From the ISP, the system will automatically deliver to the learner a series of
e-learning resources that are mapped against the skills that the learner needs
to improve. That’s essentially step 3 and step 4, a loop where the learner has
a start point, they may watch a video, do some practice work, then a summative
assessment in that skill, this measures progress and increases the amount of
progression reported.
The picture below shows that typical loop for level 2 grammar.
Not everything is a test or assessment though, some of the activities within
e-learning will be functional problems – using the skills in a novel way. And
by going round this loop for each skill identified, a learner improves their
confidence and competence.
The final step on the learner journey is exam practice and revision using
interactive scenarios, longer exam type questions or past papers. SkillsBuilder has lots of these!
Get in
touch. for a copy of the A3 posters.
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