Link Tasks

	: Link Tasks
	tasks : 8 \| 9 \| 10 \| 11 \| 12

Link Task 8
Approach: Independent
Resources: none
Task: Students were asked factual questions about New Zealand. Year 8 had 8 extra questions and year 4, 1 extra question.
Question:	% responses
Question:	y4	y8
1	58	94
2	54	78
3	57	82
4	52	74
5	26	52
6	25	48
7	18	29
8	18	33
9	52
10		88
11		56
12		75
13		26
14		26
15		84
16		2
17		11
Commentary: The results of this task show a general pattern of improvement from year 4 to year 8 in knowing some general factual information about New Zealand. They also suggest wide variation among the students on individual items of knowledge.

Link Task 9
Approach: Team
Resources: 32 pictures, 7 labels, recording sheet.
Task: Teams were asked to sort pictures into rows and columns that made sense and fit the labels to 7 columns. The task tested knowledge and understanding of other countries.
	% responses
	y4
Columns correct: 100% 90–99% 70–80% <70%	41 26 21 12
Rows correct: 100% 90–99% 70–89% <70%	5 2 32 61



Commentary: The arrangement of information into columns required less knowledge than arrangement in rows. About 1/3 of the teams showed that they had the knowledge and understanding to classifiy information distinctive to particular countries of the world.

Link Task 10
Approach: Team
Resources: 40 pictures, 7 labels, recording sheet
Task: Teams were asked to sort pictures into rows and columns that made sense. When finished, they were asked to fit column labels, adjusting their arrangement appropriately. The task tested knowledge and understanding of other countries.
	% responses
	y8
Columns correct: 100% 90 - 99% 70 - 89% <70%	82 13 4 1
Rows correct: 100% 90 - 99% 70 - 89% <70%	19 32 46 3



Commentary: This task was similar to Link task 9 done by year 4 students; year 8 teams were required to process a larger number of examples. At this level students generally showed a high level of accuracy in their classification of information distinctive to particular countries of the world.

Link Task 11
Approach: One to one
Resources: 6 pictures with captions; 3 cards with dates.
Task: Students were asked to put 6 pictures of New Zealand historical events into chronological order, then put the 3 dates at appropriate points in the sequence. They were also asked to explain the importance of 3 of the events.
	% responses
	y8
Correct order of pictures: yes nearly partially largely incorrect	3 10 35 52
Correct placement of dates: 3 2 1 0	1 9 31 59
Explanation: 1 2 3	30 37 33


Commentary: This task is simplified version of Link task 12, which was given to year 8 students. Many year 4 students struggled with identifying and explaining the chronology and significance of a few of NZ's key historical events.

Link Task 12
Approach: One to one
Resources: 8 pictures with captions; 5 cards with dates.
Task: Students were asked to put 8 pictures showing NZ historical events into chronological order, then put the 5 dates at appropriate points in the sequence. They were also asked to explain the importance of 3 of the events (the same events as in Link Task 11).
	% responses
	y8
Correct order of pictures: yes nearly partially largely incorrect	9 15 38 38
Correct placement of dates: 5 4 3 2 1 0	10 24 28 19 10 9
Explanation: 1 2 3	73 68 71


Commentary: This task is an extended version of Link Task 11 for year 4 students. Many struggled with the task of correctly sequencing events and dates, although more than 2/3 were able to explain the importance of selected events in New Zealand's history.