Oracle® Student Learning Learning Tool User's Guide Release 3.1.3 Part Number E20665-04 |
|
|
PDF · Mobi · ePub |
This chapter guides teachers on how to use the OSL Learning Tool (LT). It describes the components and the concepts that teachers must understand in using the application.
The OSL LT enables teachers to:
Prepare and manage the learning items within a lesson plan
Participate in the learning items within a lesson plan
Provide feedback and assessment of students' participation in learning items
Review the progress of students in their lesson plans and against curriculum outcomes and standards
Create and manage observations about students
The user interface is made up of a number of elements:
The global area. See Section 3.2.
The work area tabs. See Section 3.3
The work area. See Section 3.4.
The toolbar.
Class tab toolbar. See Section 3.5.
Curriculum tab toolbar. See Section 3.6.
The global area at the top of the OSL LT user interface consists of:
A product identification area; Oracle OSL - Learning Tool
An area showing the name of the currently logged in user; ANNE ROBERTS
A Home icon. See Section 3.2.1.
Icons that could be enabled or disabled by the OSL LT administrator:
A Content Server icon. See Section 3.2.2.
A Preferences icon. See Section 3.2.3.
A Logout icon.
A Help icon. See Section 3.2.4.
An About icon. This icon displays a screen that shows the build and version number of the OSL LT that you use.
A processing indicator. See Section 3.2.5.
The Home icon takes you to the Home tab. For information about the Home tab, see Section 3.3.1.
The Content Server icon takes you to the home page of the content management system that you deploy with OSL.
The Preferences icon takes you to the Preferences page where you can enable or disable preferences.
In | You can |
---|---|
Accessibility Mode |
Set accessibility to:
|
User default role |
Select the role that the system defaults to when you log in. This is applicable when you are assigned more than one role in OSL. |
Display end dated students by default |
Set the OSL LT to display end-dated students. |
Display external students by default |
Set the OSL LT to display external students. |
Display format of listed names |
Set the format in which names are displayed. |
Sort order of listed names |
Set the order in which lists are displayed. |
Months of recent demonstration data to display |
Set the number of months of demonstration data that the OSL LT retrieves. |
Use high-contrast colours in Class screen |
Set OSL to display the colors within the Class screen in high contrast. |
The Help icon takes you to the Help page where you see:
The build number and version number of the OSL LT.
A link to the Release Notes related to the version of the OSL LT that you use.
A link to the online or PDF copy of the OSL LT User's Guide.
To return to the OSL LT home page, click the Home icon.
The processing indicator is a logo at the upper right corner of the global area. The indicator displays the following states:
Idle (the normal state): the indicator is not spinning
Processing: the indicator is spinning; for example: a search is being carried out
Disconnected: A red broken circle is displayed.
The Home tab displays a list of recent student activity. You can limit the number of activities by selecting a predefined number from the Maximum number of recent activities displayed. Each column has a Sort Descending, Ascending icon that allows you to sort the list. If multiple actions that involve a learning item occur, you can view what the actions are by clicking more+. When you select an activity, the corresponding activity page appears.
In the Class tab, you can prepare lessons as well as get an overview of the activities and performances in the class.
From the Class tab, you use the context selector to go to the Personal Planning or Class pages.
In the Personal Planning page, you have exclusive access to any lesson you create. This means that you are the only user who can view the lessons you create.
In the Class page, you use the toolbar to:
Create, edit, reorganize learning items
Import and export content from the Content Server
See how the learning item looks from the student user interface
View students' participation in a learning item
Provide feedback and assessment on a student's participation in a learning item
Create groups of students and assign them to learning items
Add and remove external students from the class
View a chart depicting the performance of students in the class
Print lesson plans, enrollments, class participation, class properties, learning activities, feedback, and so on
You can only create or edit the lessons for your own active classes. You have read-only access to other teachers' classes. You can also use the student and activity filters to limit the items that appear.
In the Curriculum tab, you can review the progress of a class or a student against the standards and outcomes defined in the curriculum.
You use the:
Context selector to switch between a class or student overview
Curriculum framework filter to select a curriculum framework
Class overview or class confirmations filter to switch between a class overview or class confirmation
After a context is selected, the default curriculum framework is displayed along with the student progress.
In the Observations work area, you can:
Create observations on students
Locate observations about students
Observations are remarks contributed by parents, the student, or teachers. You can provide feedback or general comments on any aspect of a student's learning journey. Observations facilitate dialog among teachers, students, and parents.
Students may only create or view observations about themselves, while teachers create or view observations about all their students.
For information on managing observations, see Section 3.13.
Each work area tab has its work area. The work area is the space where items are displayed. Figure 3-9 shows an example of the work area in the Class tab.
In the Class tab toolbar, use the icon:
New to create a folder, document, discussion, journal, submission, task, or reference. See Section 3.8.
Edit to modify a learning item.
Copy to copy a learning item.
Paste to paste the learning item you copied into another lesson plan or to place it in a container learning item.
Up to move the learning item up the hierarchy of learning items.
Down to move the learning item down the hierarchy of learning items.
Delete to remove the learning item from the lesson plan.
Erase to completely remove the learning item, including the associated participation and feedback.
Import to import a learning item from the Content Server.
Export to export a learning item to the Content Server.
Preview to view the lesson item as it is displayed in the student user interface.
Engage to view a student's participation and provide feedback and assessment to the student.
Mark to provide feedback and assessment based on all assigned students' participation in the learning item.
Chart to view a graphic display of the marks that the students received for a learning item. The OSL LT administrator may enable or disable the chart icon.
Groups to manage student groups. See Section 3.8.9.
External to add external students to your class. See Section 3.8.10.
Refresh to refresh the contents of the work area.
Print to print the lesson plan details, as well as print details about learning activities.
If you select the root node, and then click print, you can print: the lesson plan hierarchy, class enrollments, class participation, class properties.
If you select a learning item, and then click print, you can print: the student participation, student feedback, activity properties.
In the Curriculum tab toolbar, use the icon:
Chart to view a graphical display of the student progress for the selected framework item.
Confirmations to enter confirmations against a learning item for one or more students. See Section 3.12.10.
Refresh to refresh the contents of the work area.
Print to print the curriculum progress details.
Once you have selected your class, you can prepare a learning sequence by creating a hierarchy of learning items, either from scratch, copying, or importing pre-assembled learning items from your personal planning area, another class, or a content management system.
There is no restrictive structure that you are required to follow in creating a hierarchy of learning items, except that the Service Learning Items cannot contain other learning items and Documents cannot contain Folders.
For example, you could organize the first level of the hierarchy into major areas of study such as Issues, Texts, or Folios. The second level could be organized into two to three week units of study with the lessons defined at the third level.
You can also navigate to other classes in read-only mode, which only enables you to view and copy the learning items—you cannot create or edit the learning items.
In Figure 3-12, the Activity column lists the learning items. You can nest learning items to create a hierarchy of learning items. To create a learning item, click New, and then select a learning item type. You cannot change the type of learning item once you create it.
The Status column displays Not Started, Current, or Closed. The status of each learning item depends on the start and end dates. You can participate in learning items if its status is Current. You have read-only access to other learning items. If you give a student an extension, you may see the status Current (extension), which means the learning item is current only for the student to whom you gave an extension.
The Hidden column indicates whether or not a learning item is hidden from students and their parents. You can hide a learning item while preparing it and make it visible to the students and their parents once it is ready.
The Participants column lists the number of students that are assigned to the learning item. When you hover your mouse over the number, a list of students appears.
The Assessment column displays the type of assessment applied to the activity. If the cell is blank, no formal assessment is defined for the activity. If the activity is to be marked, the total mark is displayed. If the activity is to be graded, the grade scale is displayed; for example, A+ to E. If the assessment of an activity is a calculated assessment, a calculator icon is shown together with the total mark or grade scale, which indicates that the assessment is automatically calculated.
In each student column, you see color codes depicting their progress in each learning item. For information on monitoring student progress, see Section 3.10.
Learning items can be reordered by clicking the Up or Down icon in the toolbar, or moved using the drag and drop tool.
Learning items are created within a lesson plan. For information on creating a lesson plan, see Section 3.8.
You can only create a lesson plan for one or more of your current classes.
In the Class tab, click Class.
In the Class Selector > My Classes:
Select current classes.
From the list of classes, select the class for which you want to create a lesson plan.
To organize your lesson plan, create container learning items.
For information on container learning items, see Section 1.2.2.2.
To add a folder, see Section 3.8.1.
To add a document, see Section 3.8.2.
To create activities, add service learning items.
For information on service learning items, see Section 1.2.2.3.
To add a discussion, see Section 3.8.3.
To add a journal, see Section 3.8.4.
To add a submission, see Section 3.8.5
To add a task, see Section 3.8.6.
To add a reference, see Section 3.8.7.
Optionally, using the toolbar you can:
Click import to import learning items from the Content Server.
Click copy to copy one or more learning items from your personal planning space, this same lesson plan, or another lesson plan, and then click paste to paste the learning items into this lesson plan.
Repeat steps 3 to 5 as necessary to complete your lesson plan
Click New > Folder.
The Properties window appears.
To configure the properties of the folder, see Section 3.8.8.
Click New > Document.
The Properties window appears.
To configure the properties of the document, see Section 3.8.8.
Click New > Discussion.
The Properties window appears.
To configure the properties of the discussion, see Section 3.8.8.
Click New > Journal.
The Properties window appears.
To configure the properties of the journal, see Section 3.8.8.
Click New > Submission.
The Properties window appears.
To configure the properties of the submission, see Section 3.8.8.
Click New > Task.
The Properties window appears.
To configure the properties of the task, see Section 3.8.8.
Click New > Reference.
The Properties window appears.
To configure the properties of the reference, see Section 3.8.8.
You configure the properties of container learning items (folders, documents) or service learning items (discussions, journals, submissions, tasks, references) in the following tabs as necessary.
Enter a title for the learning item.
If you want to hide the learning item, select Hide from students.
To change the learning item icon, click the corresponding pencil icon.
If necessary, assign a start date. This applies to discussions, journals, submissions, tasks, and references.
A folder or document inherits its start date from its earliest starting subordinate learning item. Students cannot start participating in the learning item until the specified start date.
If necessary, assign an end date. This applies to discussions, journals, submissions, tasks, and references.
A folder or document inherits its end date from its latest finishing subordinate learning item. Students cannot continue participating in the learning item past the specified end date.
If you are creating a submission, you can assign a due date.
Student submissions submitted after the due date are considered late.
If you are creating a reference, specify a URL.
If necessary, add instructions by clicking the corresponding pencil icon.
The rich data editor appears. Enter the instructions using the rich data editor. See Section 3.9.
Click Apply to save your changes and continue editing the properties, or click OK to save your changes and exit the Properties dialog.
The Overview tab appears only for folders and documents.
If you want to add content to the teacher overview, click the corresponding pencil icon.
The rich data editor appears. Enter the teacher overview using the rich data editor. See Section 3.9.
If you want other teachers to see the content of your teacher overview, select Teacher overview visible to other teachers.
If you want to add content to the student overview, click the corresponding pencil icon.
The rich data editor appears. Enter the student overview using the rich data editor. See Section 3.9.
Note:
If you want the students to see the same overview as the teacher overview, select Use Teacher Overview. You must unselect this option to be able to enter a student overview separate from the teacher overview.Click Apply to save your changes and continue editing the properties, or click OK to save your changes and exit the Properties dialog.
If you want to hide feedback from students and parents, deselect Feedback visible to students & parents.
To enable observations, select Enable Observations.
This option enables you to record observations about the assigned students in the context of the learning item.
To enable comments, select Enable Comment.
This option enables you to record summative comments about the assigned students in the context of the learning item.
To enable assessments, select Enable Assessment.
This option enables you to record formal assessments about the assigned students in the context of the learning item.
In the Assessment Configuration area:
If you want to set a mark-based assessment, select Mark.
In Total, set a maximum value.
In Rounding, set a rounding precision.
For example:
A mark between 0 and 100, with no decimal places
A mark between 0 and 10, with 2 decimal places
If you want to set a grade-based assessment, select Grade, and then select the desired grade scale.
Grade-based assessment scales are defined by the school curriculum administrator.
For example, grade-based assessments could be: A to E; High, Medium, Low; Satisfactory, Not Satisfactory; and so on.
If you want to set the folder or document to use calculated assessments, select Calculated assessment.
A table is displayed that lists the immediate subordinate learning items for which formal assessment is enabled. You can specify a weighting for each learning item, which sets the percentage contribution of the learning item's assessment to the container's calculated assessment.
To enable demonstrations, select Enable Demonstrations.
This option enables you to record demonstrations for the assigned students in the context of the learning item. You can also associate curriculum outcome standards with the learning item in the Feedback tab.
By associating curriculum outcome statements with a learning item, you indicate against which curriculum outcomes you intend to record demonstrations and to which level you expect the students to demonstrate competency.
In the Outcome Configuration area:
If you want to import outcome statements from the container learning item that this discussion belongs to, click the Import Outcomes icon.
Click the corresponding plus icon to add an outcome.
In the Select Outcome Statement dialog, select a curriculum framework from the list.
The left panel displays the hierarchy of the selected curriculum framework. Once you select a framework item, the corresponding outcome statements for this item are displayed in the right panel.
From the list of outcome statements, select one or more outcome statements.
Note:
You can select more than one outcome statement for a framework item by using the SHIFT or CTRL keys.To select outcome statements from multiple framework items, click the Apply button before selecting the next framework item to retain each of your outcome statement selections.To exit the dialog, click OK.
The outcome statements you selected appear in the Outcome Configuration section.
If you want to restate an outcome statement, click the corresponding pencil icon.
This functionality enables you to provide a more meaningful or contextual description of the outcome statement to your students in the context of this learning item.
If you want to revert to the original text of the outcome statement, click the corresponding eraser icon.
If you want to delete an outcome statement, click the corresponding delete icon.
Click Apply to save your changes and continue editing the properties, or click OK to save your changes and exit the Properties dialog.
The Submission tab appears only for submissions.
If you want to create a submission template:
Click the corresponding pencil icon.
Use the rich data editor to create your template. See Section 3.9.
The template you provide becomes the basis for all student submissions in relation to this learning item.
If you want to assign students to a submission group:
In the Submission Groups area, click the Add Submission Group icon.
The teacher is able to group the assigned students into submission groups. Students in each group should work collaboratively on the submission.
In the Add Submission Group dialog, enter a group name for the submission group.
From Available Students, select the students who are to be members of the group and then click Move.
In Assign Group Leader, select the student who will be the group leader.
Every submission group must have a leader. Only the group leader can enter the submission into the OSL LT and submit it to the teacher.
Click OK.
Click Apply to save your changes and continue editing the properties, or click OK to save your changes and exit the Properties dialog.
Students must be assigned to a folder or document (container learning items) before they can be assigned to a subordinate learning item within the container learning item. When a student is assigned to a container learning item, you can also assign the student to all subordinate learning items. When students are removed from a container learning item, they are also removed from all subordinate learning items.
Students cannot be removed from a learning item if they have participated in the activity, have had feedback provided for an activity, or if the student has a related submission group enrollment.
In the Student Assignment area:
If you want to hide the list of students that are assigned to the learning item, deselect Student Assignments visible to students & parents.
Use the SHIFT or CTRL keys to select one or more students in the available or assigned lists. You can add or remove the selected students using the arrow buttons.
Click Apply to save your changes and continue editing the properties, or click OK to save your changes and exit the Properties dialog.
You can share a learning item with one or more classes to facilitate collaboration among students.
When sharing learning items with one or more classes, only the host teachers can share, revoke, or modify the general properties, instructions, submission template, student and teacher overview.
To share the learning item with another class, click the corresponding plus icon.
Locate the class by searching for it, and then select the class.
Click the Close button to close the Class Selector dialog.
To revoke sharing with a class, click the Revoke sharing icon.
Click Apply to save your changes and continue editing the properties, or click OK to save your changes and exit the Properties dialog.
You can group students in a class into any number of groups. There is no restriction on how this is done. For example, some students may be placed into multiple groups and others may not be placed into any group. Student groups allow you to easily assign a group of students to one or more learning items.
In the Class tab, click class.
In the Class Selector > My Classes:
Select current classes.
From the list of classes, select the class.
The Class page appears.
From the toolbar, click groups.
Click new.
In Group Name, enter a name for the group.
In Available Students, select the students you want to assign to the group, and then click Move.
Click OK.
In the Class tab, click class.
In the Class Selector > My Classes:
Select current classes.
From the list of classes, select the class.
The Class page appears.
From the toolbar, click groups.
Locate the group you want to modify.
To modify the details of the group:
Click the corresponding Edit icon.
In the Edit window, you can modify the group name or group members.
Click OK.
To delete the group, click the corresponding Delete icon.
Note:
You cannot delete a group if it contains enrolled students.The OSL LT enables you to add a student to one of your classes even though the student is not enrolled in the class. This allows external students to participate in the activities of your class.
To manage external students in your class:
In the Class tab, click Class.
In the Class Selector > My Classes:
Select current classes.
From the list of classes, select the class.
The Class page appears.
From the toolbar, click external.
To add an external student:
From the toolbar, click add.
In the External Class list, select a class.
In the Student Name list, select a student or press CTRL + Shift and then click to select multiple students.
Click OK.
To delete a student from the list:
Select a student or press CTRL + Shift and then click to select multiple students.
From the toolbar, click delete.
Click back to return to the Class page.
The OSL LT allows you to print selected details of a lesson plan.
To print a lesson plan:
Make sure you select the root node.
From the toolbar, click the print icon.
From the Select Print Options dialog, you can choose to:
Print Lesson Plan Hierarchy
This option prints all the learning items of the selected class or personal planning area in a tree table. In the tree table, it shows the start date and end date for each learning item, along with the assessment type and the number of students assigned to each learning item.
Print Class Enrollments
This option prints the name and enrollment type of each student enrolled in the class.
Print Class Participation
This option prints the learning item hierarchy with summary information about the students' participation in the learning items.
For each learning item, the status and visibility of the learning item is displayed. Additionally, for each student assigned to the learning item, the student's progress and a summary of the teacher's assessment of each student is displayed.
Because there may be many students in the class, student information is grouped four students at a time per page.
Print Class Properties
This option prints the class properties. You can select one or more of the available property groups.
To view each print option in a printable page, click Show Printable Page.
You can create rich data (rich text with additional document and audio attachments) throughout the OSL LT and use these in activity instructions, discussion posts, submission entries and observations.
You can enter text via a rich text editor that also enables you to insert images and links to content that you obtain from the internet, an intranet, or within a content management server.
Documents that are stored locally, or in a shared location, can be attached to the rich text. Audio can be recorded and attached to the rich text.
You can insert an image by clicking the Image icon in the text editor. The Image Properties dialog appears.
In the Image Properties dialog, you can specify the image to insert in one of the following ways:
In the Image Info area, select an image from a content management server. Click Browse Server to locate the image.
In the Image Info area, enter the URL to the image.
In the Upload area, select an image from your hard disk or a network drive.
Click OK to insert the image in the text area.
You can insert an image by clicking the Link icon in the text editor. The Link dialog appears.
In the Link dialog, you can specify the link to insert in one of the following ways:
In the Link Info area, select a document from a content management server. Click Browse Server to locate the document to which you wish to link.
In the Link Info area, select the link type and enter other required information, such as the URL of the Web site to which you are linking.
In the Upload area, select a file from your hard disk or a network drive.
Click OK to insert the link in the text area.
You can attach files from your local system by clicking the Attach Files button below the editor. The Attach Files dialog box is displayed, which enables you to select a file from your hard disk or a network drive. The selected file is attached and shown as a hyperlink with the file icon.
You can click the hyperlink to open or save the attached file.
You can also remove the attached file by clicking the Delete File icon.
You can add audio instructions to complement your text and attachments. This is especially helpful for young students or those with poor reading skills.
To record audio:
Click the Record Audio icon in the editor.
In the Record Audio dialog, enter a name for the audio file.
Click the Start Recording Audio icon, and then speak into your microphone.
Make sure your computer has the necessary hardware to record audio.
When you are done recording, click the Stop Recording icon.
To exit the Record Audio dialog, click the Close button.
The recorded audio listed below the text area
If you want to remove a recording, click the corresponding Delete icon.
The OSL LT allows you to monitor the progress in which students participate in the class.
Each cell below the student name is color coded to indicate the student's progress.
When the cell is:
Grey, the student is not assigned to an activity.
White, the student is assigned to the activity but the activity has not yet started.
Red, the student has not yet started participating, or the activity has not yet started.
Amber, the student has started participating.
Green, the student has finished the activity.
For submission activities, if the student is late making the submission to the teacher, a red border is displayed on the cell.
A student's progress in a container is derived from the student's progress within the subordinate learning items. Thus, if a student has started to participate in a learning item, the progress within the container will change to “in progress”. And the progress within the container will only change to “finished” when all subordinate learning items have been completed by the student.
The cells below each student name display any mark or grade assigned to the student for each learning item. If no mark or grade has been assigned for a learning item, but a comment or demonstration has been recorded, this is indicated in the cell
From the Class tab, you can interact with students in the following ways:
View student participation in learning items and participate in them yourself
Give and receive feedback through observations, comments, and assessments
Review students' progress
A discussion is a service learning item that allows students to submit posts in a discussion forum.
To interact with the students in a discussion learning item:
Click the Class tab.
Select the desired class, and then do one of the following:
Select the discussion learning item and click engage in the toolbar. The first assigned student will be in context.
Select a cell that corresponds to a student and the discussion learning item.
At this point, you can either provide feedback about the student or participate in the discussion.
If you want to provide feedback:
Click Feedback, and then enter your feedback about the student.
Your entry is automatically saved.
If you want to provide a mark, enter the mark accordingly.
If you want to provide a grade, select the grade accordingly.
If you want to set an extension date, select a date accordingly.
If you want to record a planned demonstration, select the desired level from the list provided for the associated outcome. If the desired level is not displayed, select Other... and in the dialog, select the desired level.
If you want to record an unplanned or ad hoc demonstration, click the Specify Adhoc Demonstration icon.
In the Select Proficiency Level dialog, select the desired curriculum framework, framework item, and level.
If you want to record an observation, click New in the Observations area.
If you want to provide feedback to other students, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
If you want to participate in the discussion:
Click Participate.
Any existing discussion threads are displayed.
To create a new discussion thread, click New.
In the discussion post editor, enter a title for the thread and select a type.
Enter the discussion post details into the rich data editor, as described in Section 3.9.
To view the posts in an existing thread, select the thread. All posts in the thread are displayed.
To reply to an existing discussion post, click Reply.
In the discussion post editor, enter a title for the post and select a type.
Enter the discussion post details into the rich data editor, as described in Section 3.9.
If you want to interact with a different student, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
To close the Engage dialog, click OK.
When you interact with students in a discussion, you can also:
View the progress of the student.
Moderate a discussion post you or one of your students created either by hiding it from students or editing it. Only teachers can subsequently view the original discussion post.
View the original discussion post, if it has been edited, by clicking the View Previous Version icon.
A journal is a service learning item that allows students to type entries into their personal journal.
To interact with a student in a journal learning item:
Click the Class tab.
Select the desired class, and then do one of the following:
Select the journal learning item and click engage in the toolbar. The first assigned student will be in context.
Select a cell that corresponds to a student and the journal learning item.
At this point, you can either provide feedback about the student or participate in their journal.
If you want to provide feedback:
Click Feedback, and then enter your feedback about the student.
Your entry is automatically saved.
If you want to provide a mark, enter the mark accordingly.
If you want to provide a grade, select the grade accordingly.
If you want to set an extension date, select a date accordingly.
If you want to record a planned demonstration, select the desired level from the list provided for the associated outcome. If the desired level is not displayed, select Other... and in the dialog, select the desired level.
If you want to record an unplanned or ad hoc demonstration, click the Specify Adhoc Demonstration icon.
In the Select Proficiency Level dialog, select the desired curriculum framework, framework item, and level.
If you want to record an observation, click New in the Observations area.
If you want to provide feedback to other students, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
If you want to participate in the journal:
Click Participate.
Any existing journal entries are displayed.
To create a new post, click New in the Entries area.
The journal entry editor appears. Enter the journal entry details into the rich data editor, as described in Section 3.9.
If you want to interact with a different student, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
To close the Engage dialog, click OK.
When you interact with students in their journal, you can also:
View the progress of the student
Moderate a journal entry created by you or one of your students either by hiding it from the students or editing it. Only teachers can subsequently view the original journal entry.
View the original journal entry, if it has been edited, by clicking the View Previous Versions icon.
A submission is a service learning item that enables students to create and submit their submission online.
To interact with a student in a submission learning item:
Click the Class tab.
Select the desired class, and then do one of the following:
From the submission learning item and click engage in the toolbar. The first assigned student will be in context.
Select a cell that corresponds to a student and the submission learning item.
At this point, you can either provide feedback about the student or participate in their submission.
If you want to provide feedback:
Click Feedback, and then enter your feedback about the student.
Your entry is automatically saved.
If you want to provide a mark, enter the mark accordingly.
If you want to provide a grade, select the grade accordingly.
If you want to set an extension date, select a date accordingly.
If you want to record a planned demonstration, select the desired level from the list provided for the associated outcome. If the desired level is not displayed, select Other... and in the dialog, select the desired level.
If you want to record an unplanned or ad hoc demonstration, click the Specify Adhoc Demonstration icon.
In the Select Proficiency Level dialog, select the desired curriculum framework, framework item, and level.
If you want to record an observation, click New in the Observations area.
If you want to provide feedback to other students, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
If you want to participate in the submission:
Click Participate.
Any existing submission entry is displayed.
If you want to create a submission on behalf of the student where one doesn't already exist, click the New icon.
The submission entry editor appears. Enter the submission entry details into the rich data editor, as described in Section 3.9.
If you want to edit the student's submission, click the Edit icon.
The submission entry editor appears. Enter the submission entry details into the rich data editor, as described in Section 3.9.
If you want to interact with a different student, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
To close the Engage dialog, click OK.
When you interact with students in their submission, you can also:
View the progress of the student
Reopen the submission if the student has submitted it, but must make further changes
View the previous versions of the student's submission
Submit the submission on behalf of the student
A task is a service learning item that provides students with instructions related to an offline task or other related learning items.
To interact with the student in a task learning item:
Click the Class tab.
Select the desired class, and then do one of the following:
Select the task learning item and click engage in the toolbar. The first assigned student will be in context.
Select a cell that corresponds to a student and the task learning item.
At this point, you can either provide feedback about the student or participate in the task.
If you want to provide feedback:
Click Feedback, and then enter your feedback about the student.
Your entry is automatically saved.
If you want to provide a mark, enter the mark accordingly.
If you want to provide a grade, select the grade accordingly.
If you want to set an extension date, select a date accordingly.
If you want to record a planned demonstration, select the desired level from the list provided for the associated outcome. If the desired level is not displayed, select Other... and in the dialog, select the desired level.
If you want to record an observation, click New in the Observations area.
If you want to provide feedback to other students, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
If you want to view the student's participation, click Participate.
There is no online participation in a task learning item.
To close the Engage dialog, click OK.
When you interact with students in the task, you can also view the progress of the student.
A reference is a service learning item that enables students to participate in an external Web site within the OSL page.
To interact with students in a reference learning item:
Click the Class tab.
Select the desired class, and then do one of the following:
Select the reference learning item and click engage in the toolbar. The first assigned student will be in context.
Select a cell that corresponds to a student and the reference learning item.
At this point, you can either provide feedback about the student or participate in the referenced Web site.
If you want to provide feedback:
Click Feedback, and then enter your feedback about the student.
Your entry is automatically saved.
If you want to provide a mark, enter the mark accordingly.
If you want to provide a grade, select the grade accordingly.
If you want to set an extension date, select a date accordingly.
If you want to record a planned demonstration, select the desired level from the list provided for the associated outcome. If the desired level is not displayed, select Other... and in the dialog, select the desired level.
If you want to record an unplanned or ad hoc demonstration, click the Specify Adhoc Demonstration icon.
In the Select Proficiency Level dialog, select the desired curriculum framework, framework item, and level.
If you want to record an observation, click New in the Observations area.
If you want to provide feedback to other students, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
If you want to view the student's participation, click Participate.
The referenced Web site is displayed within the OSL page.
To close the Engage dialog, click OK.
When you interact with students in a reference learning item, you can also:
View the progress of the student
View the student's participation in the external Web site
Participate in the external Web site
A document is a collection of learning items that are displayed as a single package of work.
To interact with students in a document learning item:
Click the Class tab.
Select the desired class, and then do one of the following:
Select the document learning item and click engage in the toolbar. The first assigned student will be in context.
Select a cell that corresponds to a student and the document learning item.
At this point, you can either provide feedback about the student or participate in the document.
If you want to provide feedback:
Click Feedback, and then enter your feedback about the student.
Your entry is automatically saved.
If you want to provide a mark, enter the mark accordingly.
If you want to provide a grade, select the grade accordingly.
If you want to set an extension date, select a date accordingly.
If you want to record a planned demonstration, select the desired level from the list provided for the associated outcome. If the desired level is not displayed, select Other... and in the dialog, select the desired level.
If you want to record an unplanned or ad hoc demonstration, click the Specify Adhoc Demonstration icon.
In the Select Proficiency Level dialog, select the desired curriculum framework, framework item, and level.
If you want to record an observation, click New in the Observations area.
If you want to provide feedback to other students, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
If you want to view the student's participation, click Participate.
The participation details for all subordinate learning items is displayed in a single page.
To close the Engage dialog, click OK.
When you interact with students in a document, you can also:
View the progress of the student. The progress is calculated based on the progress of the student in the subordinate learning items.
Participate in any subordinate learning item
A folder is a collection of learning items that you participate in separately.
To interact with students in a folder learning item:
Click the Class tab.
Select the desired class, and then do one of the following:
Select the folder learning item and click engage in the toolbar. The first assigned student will be in context.
Select a cell that corresponds to a student and the folder learning item.
If you want to provide feedback:
Click Feedback, and then enter your feedback about the student.
Your entry is automatically saved.
If you want to provide a mark, enter the mark accordingly.
If you want to provide a grade, select the grade accordingly.
If you want to set an extension date, select a date accordingly.
If you want to record a planned demonstration, select the desired level from the list provided for the associated outcome. If the desired level is not displayed, select Other... and in the dialog, select the desired level.
If you want to record an unplanned or ad hoc demonstration, click the Specify Adhoc Demonstration icon.
In the Select Proficiency Level dialog, select the desired curriculum framework, framework item, and level.
If you want to record an observation, click New in the Observations area.
If you want to provide feedback to other students, select the student from the filter on the upper right corner of the Engage dialog.
To close the Engage dialog, click OK.
When you interact with students in a folder, you can also view the progress of the student. The progress is calculated based on the progress of the student in the subordinate learning items.
The OSL LT enables you to quickly record feedback and assessments of student participation in a learning item.
In the Class tab, click class.
In the Class Selector > My Classes, select a class.
In the Student Filter, select All students.
In the Activity column, select the learning item for which you want to record assessments.
From the toolbar, click mark.
The Feedback dialog appears and enables you to provide feedback and assessment to all students assigned to the learning item.
In the Feedback dialog:
Enter a mark or grade
Enter comments
If necessary, select a proficiency level to record a demonstration of the corresponding curriculum outcome
Click OK to save your changes and exit the Feedback dialog.
From the Curriculum tab, you can manage the progress of students against the outcomes and standards of the school curriculum.
OSL enables department curriculum administrators to define one or more curriculum frameworks that can be adopted by schools. When a school adopts a curriculum framework, teachers are able to prepare lessons to address the outcomes and standards specified in the curriculum. Schools typically report student progress against outcomes in one or more curricula after each semester.
In the Curriculum tab, you can:
See an overview of the progress of a student against a specified curriculum
See an overview of the progress of an entire class against a specified curriculum
View evidence of the ability a student demonstrated in a specified curriculum outcome based on learning item participation
View the history of recorded proficiency in a specified curriculum outcome for a student
Create a record that confirms the proficiency of a student against a curriculum outcome
For every curriculum outcome that has a defined set of proficiency levels and outcome statements, it is possible for you to make an assessment of a student against this outcome.
For example:
Adam Baker is a student of Class 7A. Whilst participating in a learning item discussing the works of Leonardo da Vinci, you recognize that Adam has demonstrated a Level 4 proficiency in the curriculum outcome Arts in Society, based on the associated outcome statement description. You are able to record this assessment within the feedback and assessment provided to Adam regarding his participation in the learning item.
This type of assessment provided for a learning item is known as a Demonstration.
It is expected that for every student there will be multiple demonstrations from several learning items for each curriculum outcome in any given semester or term of study. The student's participation in the learning item against which a demonstration has been recorded is the evidence for the demonstration.
In addition, you can also make a more formal assessment against a specific curriculum outcome. Such assessment would be made from evidence provided by the demonstrations. This type of assessment is known as a Confirmation, and would typically occur on a much less frequent basis.
For example, this type of assessment may occur after each semester, or when the teacher decides that the student has attained a new level of proficiency in the curriculum outcome.
A complete history of confirmations is maintained to help track the student progress over a period of time. The most recent confirmation is considered to be the current confirmation, which indicates the student's current confirmed level for the curriculum outcome. You have the option to provide two comments with each confirmation: one that is visible only to teachers and one that is also visible to the student.
Recording demonstrations is a routine part of the teacher's role when providing regular feedback and assessment to their students regarding their participation in learning items. You can record confirmations at any point in time from evidence provided by the demonstrations. This is part of the teacher's role in reviewing and recording the progress of their students against curriculum outcomes and standards.
In the Curriculum tab, click Class.
In the Class Selector:
In My Classes, select current classes.
From the list of classes, select the class you want to view.
The Class Review screen appears.
If necessary, from the framework list, select a curriculum framework.
If necessary, from the class review screen list, you can select any one of the following:
Class Confirmations. If you select this, the Class Confirmations screen appears.
Class Overview. If you select this, the Class Overview screen appears.
If you want to view a report on the class progress, click the chart icon. For information about the class outcomes report, see Section 3.12.4.
If you want to print a hard copy of the progress of the class, click the print icon.
In the page that appears, you can click Show Printable Page. A new browser window opens and shows a printable page.
From the browser menu, click File > Print.
Select a printer, and then print as necessary.
To go back to the OSL LT, click Return.
From the Class Progress screen, you can choose to display the Class Confirmations or Class Overview Screen.
In Figure 3-17, the Class Confirmations screen displays the curriculum framework as a hierarchy of curriculum outcomes. The subsequent columns describe each of the levels in the associated proficiency set. The cells in these columns display the number of students currently confirmed at the corresponding level for each of the relevant curriculum outcomes within the selected curriculum framework. Not all curriculum outcomes support confirmations—this is defined by the curriculum administrator. For more information about confirmations, Section 3.12.9.
In Figure 3-18, the Class Overview screen displays the curriculum framework as a hierarchy of curriculum outcomes. The subsequent columns describe each of the students enrolled in the class. The cells in these columns indicate the student's current confirmed level for each relevant curriculum outcome. Not all curriculum outcomes support confirmations—this is defined by the curriculum administrator. For more information about confirmations, see Section 3.12.9.
OSL automatically selects a default curriculum for the selected class. If other curricula are available for the class, you are able to change the curriculum using the Framework list in the toolbar.
When a curriculum is selected, the system automatically selects the default proficiency set for the curriculum. If other proficiency sets are available for that curriculum, you are able to change the proficiency set using the list box in the toolbar.
Whether you are in the Class Confirmations or Class Overview screen, you can quickly record confirmations for all students in the class. For information on quickly recording confirmations, see Section 3.12.10
The Class Outcomes Report (Class Confirmations Report) is a graphical representation of the current confirmed level of each student enrolled in a particular class for a particular curriculum outcome.
By default, the class and curriculum outcome selections are set using the current context information provided by the OSL LT.
In the Curriculum tab, click Student.
In the Select student dialog:
From the class list, select the class to which the student belongs.
From the list of students, select the student.
If necessary, from the framework list, select a curriculum framework.
If you want to view a report on the student's progress, click the chart icon. For information about the student demonstrations report, see Section 3.12.7.
If you want to view the evidence page, which provides a list of the student's demonstrations or missed opportunities, click the demonstration number in the proficiency level.
For information about the evidence page, see Section 3.12.8.
If you want to view the confirmation page, which lists the complete history of the student's confirmations, click the confirmed level of the corresponding curriculum outcome.
For information about the confirmation page, see Section 3.12.9.
If you want to print a hard copy of the progress of the class, click the print icon.
In the page that appears, you can click Show Printable Page. A new browser window opens and shows a printable page.
From the browser menu, click File > Print.
Select a printer, and then print as necessary.
To go back to the OSL LT, click Return.
In Figure 3-20, the first column of the Student Progress screen displays the curriculum framework as a hierarchy of curriculum outcomes.
The Confirmed Level column indicates the student's current confirmed level for each curriculum outcome, where applicable.
The subsequent columns display the levels in the proficiency set that is assigned to the curriculum outcome. The cells display the student has demonstrated a particular outcome at a particular level along with the number of opportunities the student has had to demonstrate the outcome at that level.
OSL automatically selects a default curriculum for the selected student. If other curricula are available for the student, you are able to change the curriculum using the list box in the toolbar. When a curriculum is selected, the system automatically selects the default proficiency set for the curriculum. If other proficiency sets are available for that curriculum, you are able to change the proficiency set using the list box in the toolbar.
You can view the evidence of demonstrations along with missed opportunities for a particular curriculum outcome and proficiency level by clicking on the appropriate cell, see Section 3.12.8.
The Student Demonstrations Report is a graphical representation of the demonstrations and missed opportunities to demonstrate a particular outcome for a particular student.
By default, the framework item (outcome) and student selection are set using the context information provided by the OSL LT.
The table on the left displays the missed opportunities and demonstration information of the student across the proficiency levels for the selected framework item (outcome).
The chart on the right shows the missed opportunities and demonstrations for each proficiency level. The light blue bar on top shows the number of missed opportunities while the dark blue bar below shows the number of demonstrations.
You can click the number under the Missed Opportunities column in the table to view the list of learning items where the student has failed to demonstrate the proficiency level in the given curriculum outcome. Similarly, you can click the number under the Demonstrations column in the table to view the list of learning items where the student has demonstrated the proficiency level in the given curriculum outcome.
In the Evidence page, you can view the evidence for:
Demonstrations of outcomes for a learning item
Opportunities a student missed
The Demonstrations area lists all learning items for which the student has actually demonstrated the outcome at the specified level.
Missed Opportunities lists all learning items for which the student has had the opportunity to demonstrate the outcome at the specified level, but has either not participated in the learning item or has not demonstrated the planned outcome.
If you click on a learning item from the list of demonstrations or missed opportunities, the right side of the Evidence page displays the student's participation and the feedback the student received.
A confirmation is an assessment that a student has attained a particular level of competency in a curriculum outcome. A teacher typically records a confirmation at the end of a semester or whenever a student has thoroughly demonstrated competency in a curriculum outcome. The Confirmation page lists the history of confirmations in reverse chronological order.
OSL provides a quick way to add confirmations for all students in a class.
From the Curriculum tab, click class.
In the Class Selector window, select the class.
If necessary, use the framework filter to select a curriculum framework.
From the work area, select the curriculum outcome for which you want to enter confirmations.
The multiple confirmations window appears.
For each student:
In New Level, select a confirmation level.
In Note, optionally enter a comment related to this confirmation for the student.
Click OK.
To enter a confirmation for a particular student:
From the Curriculum tab, click student.
In the Select student dialog:
In the Class list, select the class.
In the Student list, select the student.
If necessary, use the framework filter to select a curriculum framework.
From the work area, select the learning item to which you want to enter confirmations.
The Confirmation page appears.
To add a confirmation level, click the New icon.
In the New Confirmation dialog:
In Level, select a confirmation level.
In Note, optionally enter a comment related to this confirmation for the student.
Click OK.
From the Observations tab, you can:
Retrieve observations about students in your classes
View the observations about your students
Create an observation
Reply to an observation
Moderate an observation you or your student created either by removing or editing it. Only teachers can subsequently view the original observation.
View the original observation, if it has been edited
Teachers typically make an observation as part of the student's assessment and feedback in a specific learning activity in the participation process. However, an external audience such as a student manager, coordinator, principal or even another teacher may make an observation about students outside the context of a specific learning activity. Such observations are called global observations.
You retrieve observations about your students by specifying search criteria. By default, the title of the observation is the sole search criterion.
You can define new search criteria by clicking the Add Fields button. This prompts you with a list of fields that can be used as search criteria. For example, you may want to find all observations about a particular student in a given date range and in a specific category.
A search field can be removed by clicking the Remove icon. The same search field can be selected multiple times. For example, a Date field can be selected twice to apply one date with the After condition and the other date with the Before condition.
When you click Search, the results of the search are displayed in a table that provides a summary of each observation matching the search criteria. Selecting Match All will ensure that all search criteria are met. Selecting Match Any will ensure that any search criterion is met. By default, the system fetches only ten observations that match the search criteria. If there are more observations, Next and Previous buttons are provided.
If you select an observation, a set of icons is enabled in the toolbar:
View
Allows you to view the details of the selected observation in read-only mode.
View Previous Versions
Allows you to view the original observation in read-only mode if the selected observation has been edited.
Edit
Allows you to edit the selected observation if you were the author, or to moderate the selected observation if authored by one of your students.
You cannot edit observations created by parents.
Reply
Allows you to reply to the selected observation.
When replying to an observation, fields such as Audience, Category and Regarding are inherited from the original observation entry and are disabled. The Summary field is automatically populated based on the original observation and can be edited.
Hide or Unhide
Allows you to hide or unhide the selected observation if you were the author, or if one of your students was the author.
The toolbar above the results table includes a New icon, which enables you to create a observation. If there are search results in the table, any new observation is listed at the top of the list of observations.
In the observation entry editor, you must:
Enter a summary or title for the observation.
Select an audience type:
Internal Audience enables other teachers to view the observation.
External Audience enables students and their parents to view the observation.
Select an observation category.
Select a student about which the observation is regarding.
Enter the observation details in the rich data editor, as described in Section 3.9.
The OSL LT enables you to view the information in your old classes or another teacher's classes. You have read-only access to such classes.
To select one of your old classes:
In the Class Selector > My Classes:
Select all classes.
From the list of classes, select the class you want to view.
To select another teacher's class:
In the Class Selector, click Find Classes
Select the desired school from the list.
Schools in which you are enrolled as a teacher is displayed at the top of the list. All schools are listed below the separator.
Select the desired calendar from the list.
Optionally, enter text in the Class field that partially matches the class name, course name, or any tag applied to the course.
Click Search.
The list of classes that matches the search criteria is displayed. To sort the list, click the relevant column.
From the list of classes, select the class you want to view.