Use yacapaca instead [of that RM thing] - it works without bunging up the entire school network ! (full post at http://www.tes.co.uk/section/staffroom/thread.aspx?story_id=2397704 )

I set up a Yacapaca account this morning (very quick and easy to do), and ran some Year 8's through the ICT assessments. Very interesting results, and an excellent tool. I'm impressed.

<P>We use the Chalkface baseline assessment tool too... with it being online, the lack of installation appealed to me and setting up pupil names is a breeze and instant feedback of a baseline level is a good starting point - much better than taking the average of Maths, English and Science KS2 results!!!</P> <P>Tests are 10p each, lasting about 10 minutes. Chalkface recommend you order enough test allocations to run six tests per pupil to get a good breadth of data to make the level more accurate. True enough, but three tests is virtually as accurate, halves the time and cost too.</P> [<em>editor's note: tests are now free</em>] <P>...takes minutes to calibrate and I highly recommend it.</P> <P>I love the fact you can tier the tests. We entered some pupils for the 4-6 entry, and others for the 3-5 entry.</P> <P>We teach 50 minute lessons at our place and we can get through three tests in one lesson - the result being - we have their baseline level at the end of it!</P> <P><em>Full converstion thread can be found at <a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/section/staffroom/thread.aspx?story_id=2243346&path=/ICT/">TES Staffroom</a>.</em></P>

I've used the yacapaca ones today with our MLD y10s. Very good - and the kids enjoyed doing them again to try to improve their scores. Interesting how they set their own targets too - I'm not sure they've ever done that, and it was facinating to hear their thinking behind what figure to enter. <P><em>Full conversation thread can be found in the <a href=http://www.tes.co.uk/section/staffroom/thread.aspx?story_id=2278732&path=/ICT/>TES Staffroom</a><em></P>

I found the Avatars last week - a real improvement. My Y7 classes didn't even realise they were doing a test!