TxAIR Training Manual

Transcription

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2 Introduction and Overview TxAIR, the Texas Achievement Items Repository, is a TEKS-aligned system that provides science and mathematics resources for grades 3 8, Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. The system contains approved question items and preconfigured science diagnostic exams. In addition to the repository, TxAIR has an easy-touse web-based tool that assesses student strengths and weaknesses in relation to the TEKS. The system offers teachers important diagnostic information concerning individual student progress in math and science. By automating the process of creating classroom and district benchmark tests aligned to the TEKS and offering continuous progress monitoring, teachers are able to focus on individual needs using readily available, easy-toaccess information. TxAIR targets and supports both English- and Spanish-speaking students across Texas. This training manual provides step-by-step navigation guidance and tips for teachers as they use TxAIR to create assessments and diagnostic exams to better assess student progress. Contents Roles and Responsibilities... 3 Logging In and Landing... 4 Searching the Repository... 5 Creating Assessments... 9 Step 1: Settings Step 2: Define the Assessment Step 3: Select Questions Step 4: Preview Questions Step 5: Review Assessment Details and Options Adopting and Assigning an Assessment Reports Classroom Enrollment...24 User Student View TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2 of 32

3 Roles and Responsibilities District Administrator Campus Administrator Create and distribute customized assessments Access reports for all levels within the hierarchy (i.e., district, subdistrict, campus, instructor, class) Create and distribute customized assessments Access reports for all levels within the hierarchy (i.e., campus, instructor, class) Instructor/ Teacher Create custom assessments Search and view assessments shared with public visibility Schedule assessments for specific dates Enter student responses from printed assessment Preview assessment questions as they will appear to students with correct answers identified Assign a particular assessment to students Print assessments in English or Spanish Proctor online and/or print assessments Export assessments to.docx or.pdf format View the completion status of an assessment View a dashboard with navigation options for account and assessment management Access item response and assessment comparison reports Move students within the school in and out of the class roster 3 of 32

4 Logging In and Landing There are two ways to log in to TxAIR: 1. Go to and enter txair into the Search field. Select the TxAIR Tutorials resource, and click the first link in the resource. 2. Go directly to the TxAIR login site at 4 of 32

5 When you land on the TxAIR home page, you'll see a welcome note and a menu on the left side of the screen. Use the menu to navigate to areas of interest. Searching the Repository Search the repository to locate TxAIR items such as single- and multi-standard assessments. Click Repository in the left navigation menu. The next page contains several search filters that can be used to narrow results. Clicking the dropdown arrow next to Search Shortcut Links displays five ways to search. 5 of 32

6 1. My Created and Assigned Assessments generates a list of assessments that the logged-in user has created and assigned to students. 2. My Created and Unassigned Assessments generates a list of assessments that the logged-in user has created but not yet assigned to students. 3. All Assessments Assigned to My Students generates a list of all assessments that have been assigned to the user's students. 4. All Assessments generates a list of all assessments available to the user. 5. School Specific Assessments generates a list of assessments available to users in the school district. Another search option is using metadata to find assessments. Click the radio button next to Search Assessments, Search Questions, or Search Both to specify the type of metadata filter for the search. Note that the next field, Assessment Name or Question Text, automatically changes depending on the type of search conducted. The Assessment Name or Question Text field allows you to input a keyword or phrase that generates a list of assessments that contain the specified key words in the title or question text. The list can be further filtered by clicking Match All Words or Match Any Words. Match All Words generates a list of repository items that have every key word entered into the field. Match Any Words generates a list of repository items that contain any of the words entered in the field. 6 of 32

7 Additional Filters Modified After Date generates a list of repository items modified or changed after the entered date. Created By searches the repository for items created by a known user (e.g., TEA). (Option: You can restrict the search to items you created.) Visibility searches the repository for user created items that are shared and/or not shared. The final search option is the Standards Alignment search. This option allows you to input specific math and/or science standards in order to generate a list of repository items associated with the specified standards. Select Match All Standards Selections to generate a list of items containing every standard indicated. Select Match Any Standards Selections to generate a list of items that contain any of the standards indicated. Click the dropdown arrow next to Subject to display math and science checkboxes. Assignment Status generates a list of repository items that have been assigned and/or not assigned. (Option: You can restrict the search to your students.) Once the subject is selected, continue to specify criteria by clicking the dropdown arrows and checkboxes next to the desired grade level/course, strand, knowledge and skills (TEKS), and/or student expectations. 7 of 32

8 Note: You can narrow the search as much or as little as desired. You also can choose to search simultaneously in different content and/or grade levels. Click Search to open the Repository Search Results window, which displays the repository items that meet the search criteria. Four possible actions are available in the dropdown menu of the Actions column. You can choose to view, copy, edit, or delete an assessment. When View is selected, additional options become available. Assessment metadata, including standards associated with the search criteria, are displayed. You can also select Return to Search if desired. For information about the Assessment Detail action buttons, refer to the Creating Assessments section on page 9. 8 of 32

9 Creating Assessments To get started, click Repository in the left navigation panel. Click the Create Assessment button to open the five step assessment creation wizard. 9 of 32

10 Step 1: Settings Step 1 allows you to choose the title, language, question order, and passing standards. Determine the title, language, and presentation order of the questions. Note that selecting Spanish may limit the number of available questions. Also, random-ordered questions are only available in online assessments. Sequential questions are available in both print and online versions. Set the performance cut-offs. Performance cut-offs are passing standards. In this example, an A is 92 and above, a B is in the range, and so on. Performance cut-off selection determines how student data is displayed in assessment reports. Click the Next button at the bottom of the screen to continue. 10 of 32

11 Step 2: Define the Assessment In Step 2, you can select one or more student expectations to include on an assessment. In Options, click the DO NOT Share This Assessment to create an assessment viewable by only you and campus/district administrators. Select Share This Assessment to make the assessment available for all district users. Click the dropdown arrow next to Subject and Grade Level to expand the selection menu. Click the box that corresponds to the appropriate grade level. Select one or more strands designating the competency areas of the assessment. Continue to the knowledge and skills section in order to further refine the parameters of the assessment. Click the Next button at the bottom of the screen to proceed to Step of 32

12 Step 3: Select Questions In this step, choose the number of questions to generate for each strand, knowledge and skills item, and/or student expectation by entering the desired number in the text box to the right. Note: As values are entered in the strand/se text box, the total number of questions on the assessment is determined. Step 4: Preview Questions When logged in as a teacher, the user can preview, replace, and reorder questions. Correct answers are highlighted in yellow. You can remove the question displayed and replace it with a different question. Use the arrows at the bottom of each question to change the question order. 12 of 32

13 When Replace Question is selected, a pop-up window will appear with a preview of items that could replace the current question. Click the arrow to view another question, or click Select Question. If the pop-up window is empty, select another question to replace. Once you have finished selecting questions, click Next to continue. Step 5: Review Assessment Details and Options Review the assessment details such as Name, Primary Language, and Number of Questions to ensure all expectations are met. 13 of 32

14 If all assessment details are satisfactory, click Finish to return to the Assessment Detail page. If assessment details require modification, any step in the assessment creation process can be edited by clicking the Previous button. Click Finish when all changes have been made. Assessment Detail The Assessment Detail window provides you with additional options and information about the assessment itself. This page includes action buttons, the original assessment parameters set in the assessment creator wizard, and the TEKS focus of the assessment. The buttons at the top of the screen provide options to modify or manipulate the assessment and to view test versions and test adoptions (assigned tests). For example, clicking the Preview dropdown arrow allows you to see the assessment in a variety of views. The Administrator View includes test and item metadata as well as the correct answers for each assessment item. The Student Preview displays test items only and can be printed as a PDF or Word document. You can also view and print the answer key. (Note: If you export the assessment as a Word document, the test items can be modified. However, the data features in TxAIR can no longer be used.) Click Edit to make changes as needed in the assessment. Click Copy to create a copy of the assessment, which can then be modified or remain the same. Click Reset to make an assessment unavailable to test takers. (Note: The reset feature will not work if even one student has started the assessment.) 14 of 32

15 View Adoptions allows you to see assessments that have been created, selected, and assigned to students. You may also open an assessment and make modifications as needed. 15 of 32

16 Adopting and Assigning an Assessment Once an assessment has been selected and/or created, it must be assigned in order to be accessible to students. Begin by searching the repository and then selecting an assessment to view. Next, click the View Adoptions button. The Adopt an Assessment page provides additional options. Click Create Adoption to determine the parameters for an online test administration or to select the individual student or group of students who will take the assessment. 16 of 32

17 The Adopt Assessment pop-up window provides options for adding more specific identifiers, setting test windows, and determining how students will interact with the test. After filling out the appropriate criteria, click Save. Add a specific identifier (e.g., Cell Quiz 1A). Click the checkbox and calendar tools to set the date range of the assessment. Click the checkboxes to set the assessment availability. Click the checkboxes to determine how students interact with the assessment. 17 of 32

18 Once the assessment has been saved, it can be edited, assigned, or removed. Click the dropdown arrow in the Actions column, and select Assign Instance to determine which class will take the assessment. The assessment metadata and Assessment Status icons are provided as a reference. To assign the adopted assessment, click Select a Classroom, and select a class from the list. The next screen offers additional options for customizing the assessment administration for the test takers. 18 of 32

19 Assessment Status legend Name of selected classroom Export Classroom generates an Excel file with the students' names and their TxAIR usernames. Language of assessment text Class roster for selected classroom Refresh List clears the settings if they haven't been saved. Apply to Everyone assigns the assessment to the class. After selecting the class, select the language of the assessment text. You may select the language for individual students or for the class as a whole. (Note: The option to set the language to English or Spanish is available only if all items are available in the selected language.) You can also assign the test to individuals, to small groups, or to the whole class. To assign the assessment to the whole class, select Apply to Everyone, and click Save. Once Save is clicked, the assessment status changes to Open-Not Started. A link to the answer sheet will becomes available. (Note: If students take a paper/pencil assessment, a teacher can input student answers by clicking the link to the answer sheet.) 19 of 32

20 Reports Once assessments are created and assigned to classes, students can take the assessments and instructors can view reports. Click Reports after logging into TxAIR. Select Item Response Report to view items on one assessment. Select Assessment Comparison Report to view and compare assessment reports. Select Item Response Report. Note that the type of report is listed at the top of the screen. Select the appropriate filter parameters and click the radio button next to the assessment title. Click View Report. The primary information in the report focuses on whole-class and individual data. The legend includes a color and shape code to delineate performance levels. Each assessment item displays the percentage of correct responses, the TEKS, and the correct answers. 20 of 32

21 Individual data includes student identifiers, raw score, percentage correct, and item responses. At the bottom of the screen is data that focuses on how students responded to assessment item distracters. Instructors and administrators can export the report as an Excel file. Instructors and administrators in TxAIR can compare assessment results. Click Reports and then Assessment Comparison Report to begin. 21 of 32

22 A list of assessments is displayed, similar to the Item Response Report. Click the check boxes of the assessments for comparison, and click View Report. The next screen provides an initial look at the overall data for the tests selected for comparison. There is also an option to compare data from specific classes. The information to the right displays the scoring data for the specified class. You can compare student scores and check students' progress. 22 of 32

23 Another option is to examine the data according to the standards tested. This tab is located at the bottom of the screen. Click the dropdown arrow to access the data.. Standards are listed on the left, and the data for corresponding quizzes is displayed to the right. Instructors can only see data for their classes, and district and campus administrators can view reports at the levels that match their TxAIR roles and responsibilities. 23 of 32

24 Classroom Enrollment To manage classroom enrollment within the TxAIR system, log in to TxAIR, and click the Classroom Enrollment tab. This section allows you to manage the student roster in each class section. The next screen includes several fields that use dropdown menus to filter data. The options available within the dropdown menus depend on the role of the account holder. For example, a district administrator has more schools listed in the Organization menu than a classroom teacher. After selecting the Organization (campus), Term (semester), Grade Level, and Teacher, click Apply Filter to see a list of classrooms. Click the classroom of interest to view the student roster. Students now may be transferred in or out of the selected class rosters. 24 of 32

25 Student information includes the student's name, TxAIR username, and external ID. To remove a student from a class, locate the student's name, and click Remove. A pop-up message offers an opportunity to change the course of action. Click OK or Cancel as you make the appropriate decision. 25 of 32

26 To enter a student in a class period, select Classroom Enrollment in the left-hand navigation menu and apply the appropriate filters. Select the appropriate class period, and click the Add link. Locate the Find Student search window and begin typing the student's name. Select the student from the list of names. The next screen provides student information, allowing for the selected student to be added to the class roster or for a different student to be selected. Click Add to complete the process. The updated class roster appears allowing the changes to be verified. 26 of 32

27 User There are several educator roles within the TxAIR system instructor, campus administrator, and district administrator. The TxAIR system roles allow for some common functionality. In general, however, the higher the role in the hierarchy, the more options available to the user. Also, a user can have more than one role. For example, a department chair on a campus may have a campus administrator role and a teacher role. District administrators within TxAIR have the option to determine the role assignments for instructors and campus administrators. District Administrator Role Assignments Select Users in the left-hand navigation menu to see a list of district personnel. Change the number of displayed names by clicking the dropdown arrow at the bottom of the screen. 27 of 32

28 Hover the cursor over the dropdown arrow next to the selected name, and click Edit. Select Add New Role. Type in the Organization where the selected user will function in the designated role, and select the role from the dropdown menu. Click Save. 28 of 32

29 To delete a role from a user s profile, click Delete, and select OK in the pop-up window. Student View Students must log in to TxAIR to view and access assigned assessments. The TxAIR student dashboard displays the available tests and quizzes as well as completed assessments. To begin, the student clicks Start. When the assessment window opens, a series of instructions appears explaining the test format and functionality. The following images display the sequence of steps. 29 of 32

30 Format Navigation Options Tools 30 of 32

31 The student can begin the assessment once they have clicked through all of the instructions. Assessment items appear one item at a time. The student can select an answer and click Next to view the subsequent question, or the student can pause the test. A student may choose to pause an assessment for a variety of reasons, such as the end of a class period or redirection by the instructor. If a student decides to pause the assessment, he or she can access it from the dashboard as long as it is within the testing window. The student will click Continue to reenter the assessment. 31 of 32

32 When the student is on the last item of the assessment, the Submit Assessment button becomes available. A pop-up window appears to provide students an oppportunity to confirm the selection. Once the assessment is submitted, a final window confirms that the assessment is complete, and students can close the assessment window. The completed quiz will now appear in the student s dashboard under Your Completed Assessments and will no longer be accessible. 32 of 32