Overview

    We built this system over a period of eight years between 1991 and 1998 from "off the shelf" technologies to allow for easy integration with other "off-the-shelf" technologies.  The system employs a comprehensive suite of components and methodologies for maximum flexibility and competitive advantage.  Design and implementation are the secrets to its success.  It is suited to any institution with an instructional program.  This system can run on a local area network(LAN) or across the Internet.  The content base collected within our system can be shared easily, re-used, or re-configured to operate in a larger, or different, environment.

How does it work as currently configured?

• Access to the service is controlled by a login (user ID and password), beginning a complete audit trail.
• This service operates cross-platform via any HTML 3 compatible browser, or better.
• When the student requests a test, this program composes a randomized 10-question test, drawn from a large, virtually unlimited, databank of test items the teacher has prepared.
• As the program administers the randomized test, the student:
  1. sees the text of the question, if the teacher makes allowance for this;
  2. sees a graphic, animation, or video clip with each test question, if the teacher makes allowance for this;
  3. hears the question or acoustic cue by clicking on a button as often as desired;
  4. and then must type an appropriate, short response (1 - 256 characters).

• The program scores student responses by checking them against multiple, allowed answers for each question.
• The student has three tries to get the answer right before the program moves on to the next test item.  Each failed attempt costs him 1 point out of 3 for each question.
  • (In exercises only) after each try the computer displays his response--up to his first mistake.
  • (In exercises only) if he is unsuccessful in 3 tries, the computer shows him an allowed correct answer most like his response, before moving on to the next item.
• At the end of the test the computer grades his performance and displays his score as a percentage correct.
• The student may re-take a test as often as he wishes, because each test is randomized differently and is thus unique.
• Although all student responses on all test attempts are scored and recorded, the grade book only displays his highest test score in each unit.
• However, from the author/instructor's tool kit the teacher can examine all student responses to all test items.

How do teachers create and edit tests across the Internet?

1. The teacher using this service requests a unique login which allows him to access data for his classes only.
2. Across the internet in real time the teacher can...
   • create new quizzes
   • add and edit questions,
   • add and edit multiple, allowed answers,
   • add and edit images and sound files associated with each question,
   • review current student responses and test scores in the on-line teacher's grade book.

Can the current configuration be customized ("branded") for my classes or institution?   YES.

Can the current configuration be customized to include more than 10 test items?         YES

To the student:

1. Whenever a person asks a question, the respondent may answer in an almost infinite number of ways.
2. Noone can possibly anticipate all such answers, so to limit the number of acceptable responses, the teacher provides all the possible, reasonable answers he can think of.
3. So, what's a "reasonable" answer?  Please remember that:
   • Drawings and photos should focus your attention on the action or factual content of the illustration.
   • Questions seek to ask very specifically about the illustrated (or strongly implied) action or factual content.
   • Your answers should always respond directly to, and within the scope of, this question-picture relationship, using the cue or phrase shown. 
   • The supplementary question / answer exercises provided should aid consensus on what the pictures illustrate.  --Joe Scott