If you have already looked at the SEN pages of this website you will know that Earwig is already transforming the way that several hundred specials schools handle teaching evidence and track pupil progress. Now we have created Earwig LITE – a refined version of the software designed for SENCOs and mainstream units dealing with pupils with special needs.
The basic LITE package offers reduced features in return for a lower annual fee. But it still provides many options and variations. To make sure that you make the right choices when setting up your account you need to do three things before you get started…
2. Decide whether the best package for you is Classic or LITE and, if LITE, what add-ons you need.
3. Decide which assessment frameworks you will want to work with.
The text, videos and page links below will help you to make up your mind about this. But, if you then decide that you need expert help with these decisions and the setup process (and most people do) then get started by booking an online Earwig LITE setup session.
These would normally cost £80 but are currently offered free.
INTRODUCTION TO EARWIG
This short clip will explain why Earwig is such a useful tool for any educator who is required to assess and track pupil progress and use teaching evidence to support this – from mainstream nurseries to special needs, from PMLD to Preparation for Adulthood.
THE EARWIG FEATURES AND FACILITIES
This 12 minute extract from a recent webinar will give you an overview of how the software works and the features that will allow you to use this single package for all your teaching evidence, pupil assessment, tracking and reporting, including individualised, EHCP-based target sets for each pupil.
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THE EARWIG APP
The app works on any handheld device and makes recording and managing teaching evidence even easier and quicker for teachers and TAs.
There is also an app for parents, who can view their children’s timelines and even add observations of their own.
IS ‘LITE’ THE RIGHT VERSION OF EARWIG FOR YOU?
The basic LITE package is as simple as we can make it. You set it up yourself and maintain the lists of pupils and staff. The annual licence fee for the basic system is less than half that of the full Earwig Classic system.
However, you can then choose from a variety of additional features, including a library of assessment frameworks. Each of these upgrades adds to the cost of your final package.
WHAT YOU DON’T GET WITH LITE – BUT CAN ADD ANY TIME BY UPGRADING
No integration with your school database. You set up and manage the account yourself.
No Earwig consultant to support you. But you can order online expert support meetings.
Only a limited number of pre-set assessment frameworks immediately available – but you can also order other frameworks from the full Earwig list – or design your own.
The grading scheme for each framework is pre-set – but you can customise this for a fee.
Staff training is a separate charge and is all online – but you can order as many sessions as you need.
WHAT ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKS CAN YOU USE?
The full Earwig Assessment Framework Library contains more than 400 pupil assessment mechanisms, each of which can be configured in whatever way you wish. The LITE Framework Library contains about 50 pre-configured ‘off the peg’ schemes. Each of these only adds £40 a year to your bill. But you can opt to add other, customisable, frameworks from the full library for £100 each p.a. plus a £100 setup fee.
You can also have an assessment scheme built especially for you, for £400.