Yacapaca - anyone used it?

[Donki]

Has anyone used Yacapaca - either as a teacher or as a student?

What did you think?

Had a go with it a couple of years ago as our ICT teacher thought it was amazing. I think once the initial input of data is done it can be really useful for setting homework etc Didn't find it appropriate for my own use as a Music specialist.

What did you think of it, Donki?

I think it looks as if it has potential, especially with some weakish sets who need a lot of re-inforcement, and also experience of success - they get instant feedback, and can have a second go (or more!) if they want to, to improve grades.

Those that are motivated by competition can also compete in teams to get high marks.

I am hoping that it will help me to set up some simple assessment of NC levels too... (sadly lacking in the department at the moment)

The big BUT is that I couldn't see much existing stuff that I felt was suitable, so would have to write all my own materials. (department of 1). So like many things in education (and no doubt elsewhere) it will suffer from time constraints... I need to sleep occasionally!

Also, some students have Visual impairments, so there may be accessibility problems for some of them.

(Science teacher by the way)

gosh Donki is your school tiny if you're the only science teacher? (wracks brain trying to work out how small)

Tiny! Definitely.
Non-maintained special school.

Ok, my year 8 group seem to be strongly in favour. (Start small. One group, the most straightforward one.)

It may just be the novelty value.... but they enjoyed the instant feedback for the quiz, and having teams which compete! (the competing teams is optional, I definitely wouldn't use it for all my groups)
They also liked not having to physically hand in the homework because I get it automatically. And so long as they remember their log-on, they can't lose the homework sheet - and they don't have to decipher their handwriting in their planner to work out what they are doing.