Understanding ākonga understanding of question concepts
By investigating the Individual Item Report users can 'drill down' into specific mathematical concepts and/or specific cohorts with learning needs - either support or extension, and target relevant teaching strategies to meet the needs. Within one test there are conceptual progressions built into the questions e.g place value/number structures, identified by the scale value of the question - from easiest to hardest. The question information and the careful design of the multi-choice answers provides insight through:
- the scale value of the question - which ākonga have the understanding at this level
- reviewing the incorrect responses for ākonga understanding using the common misconceptions that are deliberately built in to the multi-choice answers.
ARBs link - each item is linked to the Assessment Resource Bank (ARBs) by the question description. Kaiako are provided with multiple curriculum-levelled activities that become a part of forward-planning. The PAT allows insight into what ākonga can and can't do and the Possible Misconceptions gives kaiako clues for student position and understanding with the wider concept.
NB: Kaiako must be registered with the ARBs to access the activities www.arbs.nzcer.org.nz