Task Tracker Overview
If you are relatively unfamiliar with the Task Tracker system, then this page is a good starting point. We hope to answer the question ...
Now that I have an account, what should I do next?
Consider this page to be a sort of insider's tips to getting started.
What Can Task Tracker Do?
Task Tracker is our system that tracks the progress of students who are doing any of our Task Tracker compatible features. As the name implies, it tracks student's progress in completing assigned tasks. The assigned tasks are Science Reasoning Center tasks (or Concept Builders, Minds On Physics missions, CalcPad problem sets, etc.). And because that is what Task Tracker does, a teacher with a Task Tracker account can assign Science Reasoning Center tasks for students to complete. So some of your early tasks will involve setting up classes, adding students to your classes, and making assignments for students to do. You will also learn that your assignments show up on a Class Board with scoring, due date, and help information.
It's All About the Science Reasoning Center
Always keep in mind that this is all about the Science Reasoning Center. The tasks that students do are Science Reasoning Center activities. So spend a lot of time looking at the Science Reasoning Center activities that are available for the topic you are teaching. And don't presume the listing is the same as it was last year because we are always adding more content to the website. Look at the Preview page found in the Teacher Resources section of your Account. Try doing the activity yourself. Think about the type of skills that students use to be successful. And think about how they fit into your curriculum. Pick some good activities for the unit you're teaching and think about how you might sequence them. If you are using other Task Tracker features, consider how you will blend the Science Reasoning Center with those other features. You really won't know what to do with your Task Tracker account until you spend some time familiarizing yourself with the Science Reasoning Center and other Task Tracker features.
How Should I Get Started?
Let's begin by assuming that you already have an active Task Tracker account. That is to say, someone has purchased a subscription and assigned you to be the teacher associated with that subscription. (If that is not the case, then you need to back up to our
Directions page and find out how to become a teacher assigned to a subscription. It's the first few links on the
Directions page.)
So now that you have your account and you have familiarized yourself with the Science Reasoning Center activities, here are a series of next steps for making the most of your account.
- First, create your classes.
This really is an easy process. Once you log into your account, visit your Courses page. Use the Create a Class button to begin creating classes ... as many as you plan to use.
- Second, add students to your classes.
This is not a difficult process either. There's three ways to do it; you can read about them here. We also have a set of directions that you can distribute to students. Provide them with your Class Sign up Code and the directions let them do it. Be mindful that there is a limit on the number of students allowed by your subscription.
- Third, create an assignment.
Creating assignments can be tricky. Peruse our Science Reasoning Center activities until you find the one that's just perfect for your students. Remember the name and the topic area of that activity. Then when in your Task Tracker account, Create a Topic. Then Create a Task. These correspond to the Science Reasoning Center activity (Task) and the Topic Area (Topic). Then set the Scoring Rules and Task Properties. That's a little more difficult but we have a set of directions for that.
- Fourth, tell students about the assignment.
Get them started on doing the Science Reasoning Center activity. Direct them to log on first and to visit their Courses page. They will see your assignment there, along with the due date, the scoring guidelines and any advice that you have given them. They can click on the link and get started. We do have a short set of directions to help students learn how to use their side of the Task Tracker system. View Student Directions.
- Fifth, take advantage of the tracking power of Task Tracker.
Check in to see how your students are doing on the assigned task. Did they get it? Do you need to re-teach anything? Is it time to move on?
- Sixth, make more assignments
Now that you have the first assignment figured out, try some more. Do something different. Experiment with the task properties and the various ways to set up task scoring. Watch the learning happen. And best of all, remind yourself how you're not having to grade anything.