Frequently Asked Questions

Didn't find what you are looking for? Feel free to reach out at pl2-app-help@lists.andrew.cmu.edu

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Feel free to reach out at pl2-app-help@lists.andrew.cmu.edu

What is PL²?

PL² is a project addressing the opportunity gap for marginalized students through personal mentoring and tutoring with artificial intelligence learning software.

What kinds of resources does PL² provide for students and for mentors?

PL² provides resources in the following categories:

Building relationships
Supporting effort
Managing emotions
Maintaining effort
Building student understanding
Building mentor understanding
Supporting literacy
Navigating technology
Regulating learning

How does PL² help track my student's progress over time? Where can I see this data?

On the student pages, the student's data from the Ed Tech is available on the Student Progress tab. Data is available in a list or graph form. For the latter, data from all students can be displayed simultaneously.

How can I find resources for a specific topic?

Users can click on the Resource tab at the top of their page. Here the resources are organized by strategy and then by resource category. There is also an advanced search option on this page to find resources quicker. Users can also use the Resource Assistant (located on the student pages). Here you answer specific questions (as many as you want) that lead to associated resources.

How can I use these resources to help my students?

The resources can be assigned to students. Mentors can share the resources through email or work through them together on a shared device. Most resources provide a link but also guidance for mentors about how to implement the resources, follow-up questions, etc.

How do I use the "reflection" feature and when should I use it? When should I use the resources?

On each student page, there is a reflection tab. Simply hit the New Reflection button and answer questions. All but the first are optional. Once you create a reflection, you will see a log of all reflections over time and an option to export the reflections to a csv file. We recommend using the reflection feature after each session with a student. This is a great way to track non-Ed Tech data (e.g., motivation, emotions, engagement) during each session.

How does PL² fit into my routine when preparing for my students?

We recommend that mentors use PL² when preparing for upcoming sessions and to reflect after meeting with students (for the latter see the previous question). For preparing, it is important for mentors to consider their status, Ed Tech data related to effort and progress, and assign resources to address any issues students may have.

How do I assign students to mentors in PL²?

Administrators can click on the Admin link at the top of the page to add one or more students (or mentors). You will have the option to assign students to mentors when you enter in their information, or to assign later (or reassign) by clicking on the student name and choosing a mentor. Mentors cannot add students directly.

PL² Instructional Videos

Below is an overview video of PL² (March 2020) covering the mentor dashboard, individual student pages, and resources. PL² is still in development and is continuously undergoing changes — please check back or reach out about future updates!

PL² Overview

This next video covers the use of the PL² Resource Assistant. With the Resource Assistant, you can choose to answer one or more questions about your student, the answers of which are used to guide you to a resource that you can use to help the student. (Added March 2020)

Using the Resource Assistant

This next series of short videos cover different aspects of PL² : completing the Foundational Questions as you get to know your student, navigating student progress using their EdTech data, adding Reflections after a session with your student or to plan for your next session, navigating and assigning Resources to your students, and creating Resources so that others can use tools or supports that you found helpful. (Added April 2020)

Foundational Questions

Navigating student progress

Reflections

Navigating resources

Assigning and using resources

Creating resources

As a PL² Admin you have additional functionality available in the app. This video covers those features. (Added March 2020)

Features available to PL² Admin users

We've compiled several screenshots of other parts in PL², including explanations for different features: