Motivates Pupils

Motivation is the key to learning. Generally if a learner is motivated they will perform at a much higher level and they will be much easier to teach.
Several characteristics of the INGOT qualifications are designed with motivation in mind.

• They start at a very low level in order to give everyone chance to participate. (inclusion)
• They start with early credit to motivate further study and progress to the next level.
• The assessment criteria are stated in terms of what the learners will know and be able to do providing a basis for self-assessment, peer assessment and personal target setting.
• We enable the assessor to give regular feedback to the learner on how they are progressing and if they do fail a test or task they can retake without having to wait for too long.
• The emphasis is on practical applications and capability that will provide candidates with greater freedom in the use of digital resources, opening up a world of new applications that they can access independently of their financial circumstances.

Involving the learner in the learning and assessment process provides a more dynamic relationship between teaching, assessment and learning. Learners are provided with freedom to choose project contexts that interest them although we do provide examples and ideas too. We provide a freely accessible community web site for social networking and discussing the work. Context is often the source of motivation and different learners will find different contexts interesting. This is why we have a core of knowledge and skills specified but we encourage as much diversity of context through research and project work as possible.
We have analysed the statutory curriculum in order to provide qualifications based on good practice that is expected in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 but provides no reward to the learner. We add value to this at low cost by accrediting such work with formal qualifications. As we develop we will look for additional ways of rewarding and celebrating good work.