Our clients include DENI, CCEA, C2K, SQA, BIFHE, Cambridge Assessment, RM, Dumfries & Galloway Council, West Lothian Council, Western Isles, Glasgow CC, Isle of Man government, Harcourt Education, Pearsons, DELLS and many schools.
Jimmy Stewart, Director of C2K, says, "The ALTA System is an excellent online support tool for pupils, teachers, parents and the education services in Northern Ireland. It delivers educationally reliable results, helps pupils improve their maths, teachers find it manageable to use, parents find it informative and over time it will help improve our standards in mathematics. This is a really effective way to use computers in the classroom, integrate them with teaching and support teachers. It is available through the C2K network to all pupils and all schools."
An independent evaluation in June 2006 by CCEA (the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment in Northern Ireland) based on feedback from 150 teachers found that:
Charlie Sproule, Manager of Assessment at CCEA commented on the survey, "We surveyed over 150 teachers who are using the system. The overwhelming majority (98%) confirmed that this system developed mathematical skills and 80% said it had a significant impact on their pupils' ability. Combined with other evaluations we have carried out we have no doubts that this system will help our pupils to learn and improve their mathematical skills."
The ALTA System has been procured by DENI and is currently available free of charge to all schools in Northern Ireland as the Maths For Schools package in the External Resources section of Learning NI (LNI), the C2K gateway. It contains maths assessment specifically designed for the Northern Ireland curriculum and produced by Alta Systems (NI) Ltd. in partnership with CCEA.
Alasdair Graham, Quality Improvement Officer, Eilean Siar (Western Isles) Education Authority commented, "All in all we think that it doesn't just tick the boxes of the Assessment is for Learning and of a Curriculum for Excellence agenda but that it actually delivers. It is an informative assessment system that does support learning and the pupils find it engaging, motivating and enjoyable."
"All I can say is wow! I went through the help sheet after logging on and was hooked. I couldn't believe the functions available which will be terrific for maths assessment. I can't wait to get the children registered and start using it with them. What a fantastic resource, I really mean that. I will be raving about it to every teacher in school (and any others I meet). Many thanks for a terrific resource."
‘I think it’s wonderful that it marks the questions instantly. This is what students get hooked on, wanting to improve on past performances. It takes the work out of it for me as well; I just look up the class list. It’s great, very handy for us.’
‘The children enjoyed it. They were really motivated, keen to see where they had gone wrong and practice areas of weakness.’
‘They [the children] really enjoyed it and the novelty of getting out of the classroom. They were very motivated and enthusiastic.’
‘They loved it, they really did. It’s refreshing to see them so enthusiastic. This is why it is so effective for maths where I usually have problems motivating students.’
‘We love it. They get a sense of achievement out of it because the questions are so colourful. It really does give them an incentive with their work, even the situation questions were good.’
Teachers felt this mode of assessment was suitable for children of this age due to their ability ‘to act independently to a greater extent than at a younger age and enjoy the challenge of their own independent working.’
‘It reinforces my view of the children’s ability.’
‘I was very encouraged to see the weaker ones show an interest in their work.’
"I liked the questions with a story and a problem to solve."
"Using the computer was really great, because I can't write neatly."
"The pictures in the questions catch your attention."