CAMBRIDGE LMS

Student
Getting
Started
Guide
Using your Content
Content is where you find your online interactive lessons, readers, assessment and
other content. Your progress will be recorded as you work through the content and
your performance will be recorded.

1. To access the content you have activated, log into the LMS. You will be on
the My Learning page. Find the product you would like to access and select
Content next to the product you would like to study.

2. You will now see the Content page. Choose an area of content (for
example Assessment; Online Workbook; Extension), then select Show
All to choose an activity.
Using the Gradebook
The Gradebook shows you how much of a product you have completed and your
grades. To view the Gradebook go to the class home page and select the
Gradebook tab:

The Gradebook gives you information about your studies:

In this picture:

My progress = how much of the course I have studied (=2%)

How much of each unit I have studied (Unit 1 = 63%; Unit 2 and 3= 0%)
My score in each unit of the activities I have done (in Unit 1, of the 63%
of the activities I have done I scored 99% ).
You can see more information about each Unit by selecting the unit name:

This way you can get information about your studies in each Unit, Activity etc.
Learner Profile
The Learner Profile is available to learners and consists of:
a visual representation of Unit Progress Test scores enabling learners to see easily
their progress unit by unit
a CEFR Report that uses the Mid-course and End-of-course Competency Test
scores to reliably measure learners agains the target CEFR level

Unit Progress Test scores

As learners work through the Cambridge English Empower course, they build up a
record of their performance in the Unit Progress Tests. The Learner Profile shows both
first and second attempt scores of the tests so they can easily see how they have
improved:
CEFR Report
The CEFR Report shows the scores for those sections of the Competency Test that
have been completed.
Learners can access and print out their CEFR Report from the tab in the Learner
Profile at any time.
Note: The Learner Profile and CEFR Report are only available to learners.
Technical Guide to running Speaking Tests
The unit speaking tests are scored by an auto-marking tool. It is important that
students produce as high quality a recording as possible to ensure that the automarker
can provide the most accurate score. It is therefore very important that students
speak for the whole time available to them and do not stop recording too early.
It is recommended that students use headphones that are comfortable and cover the
entire ear.
The microphone should be attached to the head-set and be directional. The best results
will be produced with noise cancelling headphones in an environment with little
background noise. Using a computers built-in microphone is likely to produce a poor
quality recording. Poor quality recordings may be unable to receive a score.

Recording check page

Unit speaking tests utilise Adobe Flash player. The tests start with a recording check
page that allows the student to check that the recording is working correctly. If the
microphone and flash settings are correct then the students check recording will be
played back and a green message displayed indicating they should proceed with the
test.
Successful recording message
However, the first time a student accesses the speaking test they may need to allow
the browser access to the microphone. For instance in Chrome there will be a
notification symbol in the browser header. Clicking on this will give the option to allow
access to the microphone.

Flash player settings

Furthermore, a pop-up may also appear on screen for the Flash player. The student
must not click Close until the settings on the tabs have been set as follows:
If the Flash settings are not correctly set up then an error message will be displayed
after a test recording has been made.

Clicking on the link Check Flash Settings allows the user to adjust the Flash settings
again according to the steps above.
Students will not be able to proceed with the test until the Flash settings are correct
and the recording function is working.

Setting the recording volume

Students should ensure that their microphone and device are set up to record at an
audible volume. The volume can be tested and adjusted in the Flash player pop-up (see
above). If the volume is too low or too high when testing the recording on the record
check page then a message will be displayed. Students can adjust the device settings,
Flash settings and the position of the microphone to optimise the volume, however this
warning does not stop them proceeding to the test.

Throughout the test the student has the opportunity to play back their responses. They
should be aware that the recordings need to be clearly audible and make any necessary
adjustments before continuing.
In the event that there is a problem with the Flash settings during the test which results
in the recording failing then the student will see an error message stating that the
recorded file could not be uploaded.
In this case they should close the test, clear browser data and re-launch the test. This
will ensure that the Flash pop-up is displayed and the settings can be checked again.