Chalkface Blog

The best teaching materials in the most practical format.

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Author: Ian Grove-Stephensen

  • Assessment is sampling, and this has consequences

    The structure of knowledge is a complex thing. Very rarely can it be codified as a simple set of statements. There are facts, yes, but also links, opinions, metaphors, context, images (both mental and physical) and much more to boot. Exam boards put enormous effort into trying to distinguish between those students who have ‘got…

  • Monitoring progression in fine detail

    Imagine having a detailed profile of the progression of every student, in every subject, not just by grade or even by topic, but right down to the level of concepts known, understood and evaluated.

  • Microsoft Edge compatibility report

    Microsoft’s new operating system Windows 10 comes with Edge, a new browser to replace the antediluvian Internet Explorer. Hooray! Technical folk the world over loathe MSIE with a deep and abiding passion, and we are delighted to see it slip into history. What’s more, Edge has had largely good reviews. It’s fast, stable and generally standards-compatible. Will…

  • Reporting PiXL Bands in place of NC Levels at KS3 and 4

    PiXL have been promoting an alternative to National Curriculum levels for while, and their ideas have been gaining some traction. We have an ongoing survey (do add your voice!) of our members’ intentions for KS3 reporting, and as you can see it’s neck and neck between continuing with NC Levels and switching to PiXL. So…

  • Pro tips on uploading student data ready for September

    When setting up Yacapaca for the new year, you should have two aims: Minimise your own workload, of course Maintain continuity of student data. Why? …because Yacapaca’s famed ability to individualise the learning experience depends on its existing knowledge of the individual …because the analytics will show useful trends provided their is past data to…