Key terms
Before we get started, let's just define a few key terms:
Baseline -The start of a user’s TTRS journey. Their first ever Gig game, Soundcheck score or Studio speed (average of previous 10 Studio games).
Practice - Playing online “little and often”.
Check - This is repeated periodically to review progress and check for specific gaps in table knowledge. Typically this check is completed as a Gig at the start of the month.
Heatmaps - All game modes apart from Jamming, feed into heatmaps. Once a specific times table question has been answered 10 times the corresponding square for that fact will turn from grey to show a colour (from red-orange-green) relating to speed.
Tip: this guide is suitable for those who are still in the process of learning the tables.
What if my pupils are already fluent on the tables up to 12x12?
What if my pupils are already fluent on the tables up to 12x12?
In this case, there are two main options:
Practise in Studio to improve their speed and therefore Rock Status.
Set their tables manually to practise tables beyond 12. Pupils will access these questions when playing in Garage and Arena game modes.
Baseline
The baseline is one way to see and compare improvement. If your pupils are playing online then the baseline simply requires playing a Gig game. Gigs are optional and, by default, can only be taken after the first login and on the 1st of the month thereafter. Teachers are able to override this and force a pupil or pupils to take a Gig at any time if needed.
What is a Gig game?
Issues 100 multiplication questions.
Starts with 10 questions on the 10s, followed by 10 questions on each of the 2s, 5s, 3s, 4s, 8s, 6s, 7s and 9s and then 5 questions on the 11s and the 12s.
5-minute time limit.
Pupils will not necessarily get round to answering all 100 questions during that time, which is fine.
Results of a Gig can be found by going to Stats > [your class name] > Gig.
As well as offering a baseline from which to assess progress, the results from the Gig also feed our smart algorithm, which jump-starts each pupil's heatmap. This kicks off their learning journey by moving learners to the best point from which to continue in games like Garage. As they carry on answering questions, the evidence we have of their recall gets richer and richer which personalises the Garage and Arena games even further.
Conducting an online baseline Gig
Allocate a 15-minute window when you can get the pupils on to the website. Doing the baseline Gig soon after a launch assembly is usually a good idea.
Reassure them a bit and give them clear instructions ("play the Gig game in front of you, giving each question your best effort. It's not a race so take your time.") and set them off.
When they've completed a Gig game it's up to you what you want them to do. If time allows, playing in the Garage is the best place for them to continue.
NB: It’s important to remember that Gig games are optional and some pupils may feel nervous about answering questions against a clock. You can reassure them by explaining that it's not a test, but a way to tell the game what they already know, and to help improve their tables as quickly as possible so they can become a Rock Hero!
Practise
There are six main game types at the heart of TT Rock Stars and they differ according to whether or not the tables are set for the pupils, and whether they're single-player or multiplayer - see 'Game Types'
Frequency of practice is key with learning the tables so the way you use the webgames depends on how often you can get the pupils in front of a computer at school. It's more effective to practise three minutes a day at least four times a week than practising for the same total duration once a week. This is our “Little and Often” approach.
Choose which option best describes your school below to view a suggested practice schedule.
I can get my class in front of computers, laptops or tablets at least 4 times a week.
I can get my class in front of computers, laptops or tablets at least 4 times a week.
Pupils should practise in the Garage or Arena game modes for 3 minutes. This is where they will get a tailored set of questions which uses our smart algorithm. If you are focusing on particular table(s) you can set them manually.
Allow the pupils to have some free choice, including playing in any of the game types, challenging someone in a Rock Slam or dressing up their avatar. Don’t forget you can close the shop for 1 hour at a time if you’d prefer so that this doesn’t interrupt learning time.
Alternatively, direct the activity yourself, maybe by getting your pupils to spend a couple of minutes in the Studio (usually for children aged 8+) or in an Arena game together - you can use the Spectate mode to add to the fun!
Access to computers at school every day isn't easy.
Access to computers at school every day isn't easy.
Each class in the school can take a different approach. Some classes may be able to get online regularly while others use the paper version. Perhaps a weekly or termly rotation would be possible?
Seize the opportunity to use the computers at different times of the day, e.g. first thing in the morning, during a maths lesson (when the timing is right) or in the afternoon. Using a timetable so that class teachers can book out the use of an IT Room or laptops/devices often works well.
Operate a paper-webgames hybrid - you could complete the worksheets three days a week and the webgames once or twice.
Why not run a lunchtime club? You can either hold it on different days, perhaps one for each key stage, or use it as a chance to get the older pupils to help out the younger ones.
Instead of using TTRS online at school, get pupils to play exclusively at home - using the Sessions Bolt-on will allow you to easily keep track of this.
Practice singing and chanting along to Rolling Numbers, a fun alternative!
Check
Once your class has got going and they know the routine there are a few ways you can “check in” on your pupils to see where they are at.
Gig. View latest result as well as a breakdown of questions and answers and compare this with the Gig they completed as their baseline. You can force a Gig to be played by your pupils the next time they log in. This is especially useful if you are looking to get a group/class update on a specific date. The results of their latest Gig can be found by going to Stats > [your class name] > Gig
Heatmap. Either a snapshot in time of known table facts or an overview of progress over a period of time. You will find heatmaps by going to Stats > [your class name] > Fluency.
Studio speed. You can compare each pupil's initial Studio speed with their latest Studio speed to see their progress in recall across all the tables that have been set for them. View Studio speed by going to Stats > [your class name] > Studio.
Soundcheck score. Comparing a pupil's first and latest Soundcheck score can also help you assess progress. View Soundcheck scores by going to Stats > [your class name] > Soundcheck.