ACTFL Proficiency Pyramid

Last crawled date: 4 years, 2 months ago

-----Info----
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is an organization aimed at promoting and assessing language learning in the United States.
This project takes the ACTFL "inverted pyramid" proficiency leveling poster and re-creates it in 3D, allowing students to understand the complexities of each level. It is designed so that each level can be magneted together, allowing students to take the pyramid apart to compare the levels. It also allows instructors the opportunity to present the pyramid up to a certain level.
While it is designed around the ACTFL test, the divisions are approximately equivalent to the AAPPL test (which divides each section into 5 instead of 3).
The goal of this project is to help students (and teachers) understand what each level means, and how much effort is involved in achieving each level. Students often get frustrated with their apparent "lack of progress," not understanding that each level is significantly more difficult to obtain.
The project is especially useful for universities, high schools, and schools where the Seal of Biliteracy is available.
-----There are a total of 11 files at the moment-----

8 of which correspond to the levels of the pyramid, with "Novice" as one section and "Distinguished" found on the top of the "Superior" level.

3 are for the base (seen in the picture) - including an optional dowel print should a 7/16" / 8mm wooden dowel not be available.
-----Required Materials-----
40 8x1 mm magnets (to hold the levels in place) --> https://amzn.to/310YC3x
5/16" / 8 mm wooden dowel - to be cut into 18 cm long segments for the Base
Superglue
Paint (as desired)
-----Future Updates-----
I am working on finishing the painting of the "Distinguished" level for the final picture, as well as developing a 3D model of the full pyramid which can be easily scaled down.
-----Credits-----
This project is inspired by the ACTFL 2012 proficiency guidelines. It is intended for non-profit, educational use. Please credit them should you choose to use/make this project. Additionally, this project may not be printed and sold except for AT-COST, and as needed (as many language teachers do not have personal access to a 3D printer, but their school may).
More information about the ACTFL proficiency guidelines can be found here: --> http://bit.ly/2MxR6Ia
-----Tips-----
Tips are always appreciated, and will be put towards classroom use.