Start with Tracks
Before you start
When you start exploring and working with Tracks, it is useful to read the vision behind this blended learning method.
Because we assume Flipping the classroom, it is important to let the students get started independently online in the relevant unit before you teach the first lesson. We also advise you to give a number of (trial) lessons (e.g. 4 – 8 weeks). This way you experience the effect of Tracks much better.
Roadmap
To make a smooth start, follow the steps below:
Administrator
- Create student accounts or have them log in via ELO (VO/ISK). Explanation for MBO.
If necessary, turn on the extra support for dyslexia for certain students. - Create teacher accounts and link them to the correct class.
- Link the classes to the subscription via Administration > Subscriptions.
Privacy
We take the privacy of your students seriously. That is why we are affiliated with the Education Privacy Covenant.
Teacher / Student
- Start with students; login via https://learning.holmwoods.eu. If necessary, adjust the course settings.
Students start with a level assessment test and work at their own level.
If you want a class / all students to start at a certain level, use the course settings to set the level before the students have started.
- Let the students complete about 33% of the unit each week (the first week 33%, the second week 67%, the third week 100%, etc.). For level Beginners: about 1 unit per week.
- Adjust the level of a student for red scores.
Icons
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Vocabulary |
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Reading skills |
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Listening skills |
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Fluency |
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Writing skills |
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Grammar |
The color coding
Based on the score that the student achieves, a completed exercise is given a color.
Red <55% (insufficient)
Orange 55% – 75% (sufficient)
Green >75% (good)
Classroom lesson
- With Tracks Full Course (with books) you will use the Teachers manual and with Tracks Online you give the lessons using the online Lesson plans.
Structure and characteristics Tracks
The Pre-A1 levels are available online for students who have not yet reached the A1 level. Each level consists of 12 units and one unit covers 3 weeks. We assume 3 lessons per week.
Example structure per week:
- 1 lesson hour independently online
- 1 hour of practical exercises from the student’s books
- For 1 hour, the students work on the project from the student’s books.
As a teacher, you can also choose a different layout, depending on your educational situation.
Choosing the Right Track
You can choose the right Track at class level and at student level. By default, the Central Track is set for the whole class. You can set a different Track for 1 or more students or change the default Track.
The classroom lesson: student’s & teacher’s books
Prepare the lesson
1.View the unit information in the teacher’s book View the unit goals that have been set for the students. Also read the short summary of the online story and the grammar that is discussed.
2.Go to the first or next lesson in the teacher’s book Read the activities described in the manual and prepare the smartboard resources for use.
Teaching the lesson
When the students have done approximately 50% of the unit, you give the first lesson. After the students have practiced online, they enter the classroom well prepared.
In class, the emphasis is on being active with English. The students use the student’s book to practice role plays, complete writing assignments and use English in their own situations. Use the smartboard resources and Extra Materials for the students to make the lessons even more interactive. Follow the teacher’s book and know that the students are really applying English!
Themes and grammar
The themes and grammar can be found in the dashboard > teaching > lessons.
The classroom lesson: online lesson plans
Prepare the lesson
1. Read the story Download and read the story of the unit you will work with during the lesson.
2. Choose the activities you want to do Download the Activity sheets of the relevant unit and choose from the activities. If stated with the activity, have the smartboard resources ready for use.
Teaching the lesson
When the students have done at least 50% of the unit, you give the first trial lesson. After the students have practiced online, they enter the classroom well prepared.
In class, the emphasis is on being active with English. The included lesson plans and Smartboard resources provide inspiration for interactive lessons, role plays and group assignments. Get the students active in English and be creative!
Using the Lesson Plans
You can use the included lesson plans in different ways:
- You can follow exactly the activities/instructions we have developed
- You can choose from the activities (you don’t have to do everything)
- You can vary on the activities developed by us
- You can add your own ideas and methods to your lessons
Themes and grammar
The themes and grammar can be found in the dashboard > teaching > lessons.
Alerts
When you have several classes with dozens of students under your care, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of all progress and achievements. You are especially curious about deviating patterns, poor performance, slow progress, but also exceptionally good performance.
That’s why we’re introducing alerts that let you know when a student shows a deviating pattern.
Tests
While working in Holmwood’s online learning environment, continuous “assessment” takes place. We also have online and offline tests.
The (online) unittest
Each unit is completed with an online test. This can be done by the student when:
– he has completed all exercises sufficiently (orange or green).
– the teacher releases the test More info…
If the student passes the test, he moves on to the next unit. If the student fails the test, he is given a number of extra exercises followed by a second test attempt. If the student fails the test for the second time, he must retake the unit. Usually there is something going on, so for you as a teacher a signal.
The ‘offline’ tests
There are also ‘paper’ tests available in PDF and Google Docs format with a correction model. You can download these tests at Teach > Lessons.
View an example of a unit test; Elementary (A2).
The PDF tests can be taken at any time (independent of the student’s progress in the online learning environment). You, as a teacher/team, are also free to determine how many (offline) tests you take. The tests in Google Docs format make it easier for you easy to compose your own test based on multiple unit keys.
The ‘offline’ keys are not visible with a trial license.
Do you need support or advice?
Please feel free to contact us, we will be happy to help you.
Contact details
Holmwood’s Onderwijs
Kazemat 29
3905 NR Veenendaal
Phone
085 303 8478
Sales
sales@holmwoods.eu
Support
support@holmwoods.eu