BCE app debuts during Under Eights Week, capturing real-time data on reading progress

An app created by Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE), a first of its kind, has been debuted during Under Eights Week (15-21 May). The app is designed to capture real-time data on Prep (the first year of primary schooling in Queensland) students’ progress in early literacy knowledge and saving teachers “countless hours”.

The bespoke Foundational Literacy Monitoring tool has been launched into BCE’s 121-strong schools network across South East Queensland and has been celebrated for being “ahead of the curve”.

 

A unique aspect of the app is the way in which it records student literacy progress specific to early years education and focuses on oral language. 

 

BCE Senior Manager School Progress and Performance Trudi Lucas explained that the app allows teachers to monitor the foundational skills essential to early years literacy development and focus on building on what students already know.  

 

“We know that if we get it right in the early years of education and provide targeted literacy instruction early, it will set our learners up for success now and into the future,” she added. 

 

“The possibility of implementing the tool with pairs or small groups within everyday learning experiences aids the development of oral language skills as the children talk to each other and the teacher to build relationships.” 

 

By using the app, early years teachers are able to monitor literacy progress in a more targeted and focused way, enabling them to record and identify where their students were within their own learning journey. 

 

“The app utilises a traffic light system allowing for targeted and timely teacher response,” she said. 

 

“It is not a standardised test, but rather a monitoring system which allows teachers to get to know students individually. We are building on what our students already know, and in doing so, not only set them up for life, but also help them settle into school.”

 

To develop the app, BCE education officers for curriculum and speech pathology collaborated with the BCE Manager Business Intelligence and Performance Luke Welch.

 

“The app and report are targeted towards helping teachers to understand the literacy progress of preps in those early weeks and months of their schooling journey,” Mr Welch said.  

 

“This tool is unique as it records student literacy progress specific to early years education and incorporates an oral language component. The oral language component is critical for successful oral language use in the areas of vocabulary, and sequencing of ideas, with a direct correlation to future reading success.”

 

St Eugene College Burpengary Principal Louise Olley said the tool enables teachers to be more responsive to the needs of individual learners. 

 

“When children develop strong literacy skills, they become more confident in their ability to learn and communicate effectively. This can have a positive impact on their overall academic performance and social skills,” she said. 

 

“We are all excited to be using this tool and to see how it can positively improve our students’ educational experience.”  

 

Image shows All Saints Primary School Albany Creek Prep Teacher Catherine Corcoran and students using bespoke BCE Foundational Literacy Monitoring Tool on the go.