Class_generator/archie_class_homework/DIAGNOSTIC_HOMEWORK_PLAN.md

Diagnostic Homework System - Project Plan

🎯 OBJECTIVE

Create diagnostic homework to assess student readiness for English exams in China, then build personalized exam prep plans.

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📊 CURRENT SITUATION

Students

• Two groups: SBS2 level & SBS8 level (mixed class)
• Last lesson: Chapter 2-8-9 fusion (combined content)
• Next goal: Prepare for English exams (Chinese exam format)

Exam Format (Chinese English Exams)

• NOT production-heavy → Recognition-focused
• Multiple choice (vocab, grammar)
• Fill-in-blanks with options
• Reading comprehension with QCM
• Error correction (identify wrong form)
• Limited open questions (short answers)

Problem

• Don't know exact weak points of each student
• Need diagnostic data before creating targeted prep plan
• Can't prepare effective revision without understanding current level

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💡 SOLUTION: Diagnostic Homework

Format (Simple & Effective)

Each homework contains:

1. 1 Text (120-140 words, known vocabulary, complex sentences)
2. 3 Comprehension Questions (test reading ability)
3. 1 Audio (teacher-recorded, ~30-40 seconds)
4. 3 Production Questions (open-ended, graduated difficulty)

Two Separate Homeworks

• Homework A: SBS2 level (focus: locations, where questions, to be)
• Homework B: SBS8 level (focus: clothing, present continuous, demonstratives)

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📋 HOMEWORK STRUCTURE DETAILS

Text Requirements

• Length: 120-140 words (challenging but manageable)
• Vocabulary: ONLY from their chapters (cumulative: Ch1 + Ch2 for SBS2, Ch1-8 for SBS8)
• Complexity: Long sentences, multiple clauses, connectors
• Goal: Test comprehension, not vocabulary recognition

3 Comprehension Questions

Test reading skills:

1. Literal: Direct answer in text (Where is X? What color is Y?)
2. Inferential: Requires understanding context (Why is X happening?)
3. Detail: Tests careful reading (specific information retrieval)

Format: Open-ended short answers (not multiple choice - want to see their writing)

Audio Component

• Teacher records custom audio (~30-40 seconds)
• Content: Related to chapter theme but independent from text
• Purpose: Diagnostic for listening comprehension (analyzed through written production answers)

3 Production Questions (Graduated Difficulty)

Q1 - Linked to Text (直接相关)

• Application of text content
• Uses same grammar/vocab from reading
• Example SBS2: "Where is [person from text]?"
• Example SBS8: "What is [person from text] wearing? Why?"

Q2 - Semi-Linked (半相关)

• Same topic/grammar but new context
• Requires vocabulary extension
• Example SBS2: "Where do you go on weekends? Why?"
• Example SBS8: "What do you wear when it's very cold? Describe."

Q3 - Creative/Free (创意开放)

• CRITICAL: Tests linguistic flexibility & creativity
• Forces students to adapt vocabulary to unexpected context
• NOT predictable (avoid "What are you wearing today?")
• Reveals true production capability vs memorization

Q3 Examples:

• SBS2: "Do pets have special places at home? Where? Describe."
• SBS8: "Do dogs/cats wear clothes in your country? If yes, what? If no, why not?"
• Alternative SBS8: "Design a school uniform - what colors, what clothes?"

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🎯 DIAGNOSTIC DATA COLLECTED

Reading Comprehension

• Can they understand complex sentences with known vocabulary?
• Literal vs inferential comprehension level
• Speed/accuracy of information retrieval

Listening Comprehension

• Analyzed indirectly through production answers (no direct listening questions)
• Teacher observes if they understood audio context

Grammar Accuracy

SBS2 Focus:

• Where questions formation
• To be (am/is/are) usage
• Prepositions (at/in/on)
• Subject pronouns

SBS8 Focus:

• Present continuous (am/is/are + -ing)
• This/that/these/those
• Singular/plural agreement
• Adjective placement

Production Capability

3 levels revealed:

1. Reproduction: Can they reuse text structures? (Q1)
2. Extension: Can they apply to new contexts? (Q2)
3. Creation: Can they produce flexibly and creatively? (Q3)

Vocabulary Mastery

• Active vs passive vocabulary
• Correct usage in context
• Spelling accuracy

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📈 NEXT STEPS (After Diagnostic)

Phase 1: Analysis

• Collect homework responses
• AI-powered analysis (LLM validates & scores)
• Generate individual diagnostic reports:
  • Vocab gaps
  • Grammar weak points
  • Comprehension level
  • Production capability score

Phase 2: Personalized Exam Prep Plan

Based on diagnostic data, create:

For Each Student:

• Targeted drill exercises (focus on weak grammar points)
• Vocabulary reinforcement (words they missed/misused)
• Question-type practice (Chinese exam format)

Study Plan Structure:

1. Diagnostic Session (1 homework) ← WE ARE HERE
2. Drill Phase (3-4 sessions, targeted exercises)
3. Mock Exam Phase (2 sessions, real format practice)
4. Review & Polish (1 session, confidence building)

Phase 3: Exam Prep Modules

Module Types to Build:

A. Drill Exercises (Grammar Pattern Recognition)

• Multiple choice (do/does, is/are, this/these)
• Fill-in-blanks with options
• Error correction practice
• Speed drills (timed)

B. Vocabulary Recognition

• Matching exercises (word ↔ Chinese)
• Synonym/antonym recognition
• Word-in-context (choose correct usage)

C. Reading Comprehension

• Short texts + QCM questions
• Chinese exam format
• Progressive difficulty

D. Mock Exams

• Full Chinese exam format
• Strict timing
• Auto-scoring
• Error analysis with AI feedback

Phase 4: AI Integration

AI Features:

• Auto-scoring of open questions
• Pattern recognition (common errors)
• Personalized feedback in Chinese + English
• Adaptive difficulty (unlock harder exercises after mastery)
• Progress tracking & visualization

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🛠️ TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION

Current System (DRS)

• Modular architecture (VocabularyModule, TextAnalysis, etc.)
• AI-powered scoring (DeepSeek API)
• Content JSON structure
• TTS for audio (can use for text, but teacher records custom audio)

To Build

1. Diagnostic Homework Module

   • Text display
   • Audio playback (teacher upload)
   • Open question input
   • Submit & store responses

2. AI Analysis Engine

   • Score comprehension answers (0-100)
   • Grammar error detection
   • Vocabulary usage analysis
   • Generate diagnostic report

3. Exam Prep Exercise Generator

   • Pull from chapter content
   • Generate targeted drills based on weak points
   • Progressive unlocking system

4. Mock Exam Module

   • Chinese exam format template
   • Timer integration
   • QCM + fill-in-blanks + error correction
   • Auto-scoring + detailed feedback

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📝 IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEMS

Now (Current Task)

• Define homework structure
• Clarify diagnostic goals
• Create SBS2 homework (text + 6 questions)
• Create SBS8 homework (text + 6 questions)
• Teacher records audio for both
• Students complete homework

After Homework Collection

• Analyze responses
• Generate diagnostic reports
• Design personalized drill exercises
• Build exam prep modules

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🎓 PEDAGOGICAL PRINCIPLES

Why This Approach Works

1. Diagnostic-First

• No guessing student levels
• Data-driven prep plan
• Efficient use of limited time before exam

2. Graduated Difficulty

• Q1 (linked) → builds confidence
• Q2 (semi-linked) → tests application
• Q3 (creative) → reveals true ability

3. Exam-Format Alignment

• Chinese exams = recognition > production
• Drills match actual exam question types
• Mock exams = confidence building

4. Personalization

• Each student gets targeted weak-point drills
• No wasted time on mastered content
• Efficient exam prep

5. AI-Powered Scaling

• Teacher time = diagnostic design + audio recording
• AI handles scoring, analysis, feedback
• Scalable to many students

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📊 SUCCESS METRICS

Diagnostic Phase

• ✅ 100% homework completion rate
• ✅ Clear identification of weak points per student
• ✅ Actionable data for prep plan

Prep Phase

• ✅ Students improve on targeted weak points
• ✅ Mock exam scores increase session-to-session
• ✅ Confidence levels rise

Exam Results

• ✅ Students score at or above expected level
• ✅ Fewer "silly mistakes" (grammar/vocab errors)
• ✅ Strong comprehension question performance

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🔑 KEY INSIGHTS

What Makes This Different

Traditional homework: Generic exercises, no diagnostic value This system: Strategic diagnostic → personalized prep → exam success

Critical Success Factors

1. Q3 creativity = reveals true linguistic flexibility
2. Text complexity = tests comprehension vs vocab memorization
3. AI scoring = scalable, consistent, immediate feedback
4. Exam format alignment = practice = performance

Future Expansion

• Scale to more students (same diagnostic approach)
• Different exam types (adapt question format)
• Automated homework generation (AI creates texts from chapter vocab)
• Progress tracking dashboard (student + teacher views)

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📌 SUMMARY (TL;DR)

Problem: Need to prep students for Chinese English exams, don't know their exact weak points

Solution: Diagnostic homework (1 text, 3 comp Q's, 1 audio, 3 prod Q's) → reveals gaps

Next: Build personalized exam prep (drills, mock exams, AI feedback) based on diagnostic data

Goal: Data-driven, efficient, targeted exam preparation that matches Chinese exam format

Status: Designing diagnostic homework content now → implementation → student testing → analysis → prep plan

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END OF DOCUMENT