Preparing Students for Testing
The Student Readiness Tool (SRT) enables students to learn about, interact with, and practice using TestNav tools. Students watch a tutorial video and then use the SRT to practice what they learned in the TestNav environment. The SRT provides opportunities for students to practice until they can successfully demonstrate their understanding of the tool or support.
The SRT allows students and teachers to prepare for testing during group instruction; however, students can also use the SRT independently, and it’s also available for families to access at home.
The SRT is not a scored test, nor is it mandatory for students to review prior to testing. It is designed only as a support for students to use as they prepare for testing in TestNav. Each student can interact with the SRT in the way that suits them best.
Use the SRT to Set Students Up for Success
The SRT is designed to prepare students for online testing in TestNav.
Before students move through the SRT independently, it is important to understand the following:
All Students:
- Students can pause, rewind and adjust the speed of the narration on each SRT video lesson. Adjusting the narration to 0.5 or 0.75 times the default speed may increase accessibility for some multilingual learners.
- Each SRT video lesson has embedded closed captions that cannot be turned off.
- Students or teachers can navigate to the relevant tutorial using the Review drop-down menu.
Younger Students:
- Navigation videos (e.g., videos on how to use the Next button and submit answers) are best presented to the whole class to ensure optimal understanding. However, teachers can present the SRT to students in any group size that makes them most comfortable, reflects their typical classroom environment, or follows any group size guidelines documented in their IEP or 504 Plan.
- Teacher supervision is needed throughout the lessons to make sure students are accessing the assigned tutorial.
- Teachers can tell students when the test is taking place and that the SRT is a fun way to practice.
- Students can watch videos in short increments, depending on their attention and comfort level.
Implementation Strategies
There are several ways to help students understand the content of the SRT. Here are some ideas:
- Video lessons may be paused and replayed to check for understanding.
- Video lessons may be paused and the Try It section accessed at the same time in the SRT split screen.
- Teachers may access video lesson transcripts for student support. These transcripts are available at the WIDA MODEL Resource Center.
- Students can choose to review the video lessons only or practice using the Try It sections of the SRT without viewing the videos, depending on their preferences and needs.
Pacing
Pacing is an important part of the SRT. The SRT is not meant to be completely consumed in one sitting; instead, it is most helpful when consumed in short segments as students prepare for testing. Keep in mind that many students may not need to repeat content learned from previous years.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SRT is a way for students to learn how to navigate TestNav prior to testing and to interact with and practice using its tools in the real test environment. Teachers should use the SRT to familiarize students with the online testing platform and the available universal tools. The SRT does not reflect the WIDA MODEL Online test content or design.
Directions and Practice forms are a way for students to learn about the design of the MODEL Online Reading and Listening tests and interact with the types of questions they will see on the test. Teachers should use the Directions and Practice forms to prepare students to take the MODEL Online Reading and Listening tests, particularly if it is their first time taking MODEL.
Students perform best when they understand how to navigate the online test platform and the tools that are available to them. Practicing with both the Directions and Practice forms and the SRT can help minimize anxiety related to the test content and the test platform. Giving students opportunities to practice using the SRT ensures equitable access by familiarizing students with accessibility features prior to testing.
The content displayed within the MODEL SRT is not MODEL test content. To view sample MODEL test content for the Reading and Listening tests, view the MODEL Online Directions and Practice forms available via TestNav or the WIDA MODEL Resource Center.
Students can interact with the SRT in a variety of ways, such as muting the video and reading closed captions, pausing and rewinding to review content or watching the video lessons several times. Remind students that there is no “wrong way” to use the SRT.
The SRT is not meant to be watched in one sitting. For younger students, it is recommended that tutorials are limited to no more than three videos per sitting. It is also not recommended that students engage with the SRT for longer than 30 minutes. The SRT is best utilized in bite-size increments.
The zoom feature (within the user dropdown menu) is available within the TestNav application. Students will not see the zoom feature when using TestNav within a browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.).
