Electronic tests can be easier and faster for you and your students. Try some of the resources listed here and in the online supplement to create your own. I have used electronic testing in my classes for the past year and find it far superior to paper-and-pencil testing. My experiences with electronic testing tell me that this assessment will soon become the norm.
There are two types of tests at this location. The first (Quiz 2 in the computer test column, Figure 2) is a self-assessment approach that allows students to solve problems and then check their solutions against the correct solution. This approach is a good method of preparing students for a major test or for checking for understanding. It involves no direction by the teacher. Note: Emphasize that even though students have access to the answers, they should answer on their own first!
I created the tests using the freeware HotPotatoes from the University of Victoria Language Center. (Download it from http://hotpot.uvic.ca/) You can use this software to create interactive multiple-choice, short-answer, jumbled-sentence,
For the multiple-choice test, you simply type a title at the top and then start writing the questions. Where it says Q1 is where the question would be placed. Once the question is completed, you add possible choices. Click the box a, b, c, or d to show which is correct. Make some comments in the feedback column to help the test taker along the way (Figure 5). Once you have completed the first question, go on to the second question by clicking the little up
Another site I highly recommend is www.funbrain.com. It is very friendly, and once you join (quite painless), you can access ready-made quizzes or make your own. They do all the work and put it online; what more could you ask for? The site’s original page is made for kids. To try one of my tests, go to the Web site and click the quiz lab sign in. Type your name and omsstudent for the password. (See Figure 6.) Better yet, register with them and make a test yourself.
Advantages of Online Testing There are many advantages to using online testing. First, the test requires no paper, eliminating the battle for the copy machine. There is always the option of printing the test, if needed.
Third, the test is a valuable teaching tool. There are at least two reasons for taking tests: assess knowledge and provide feedback so students can improve their abilities. These online tests provide both. They provide immediate feedback, requiring the student to eventually get the correct answer before moving on. This provides a huge advantage for the teacher and students. Teachers have very busy schedules and often find it difficult to grade tests quickly and provide each individual student with the necessary feedback for improvement. Testing feedback includes comments when students select the wrong answer. I guide them to the correct solution. Fourth, the test is self-grading, freeing the teacher to work with other students. The teacher simply records the test results and spends more time on individualizing student work. There are many online tests that can be used. The following site has a wealth of useful information: http://eleaston.com/quizzes.html. It contains many tests that could be used immediately. One I have used several times is the crossword creator puzzle. It makes the test and then you print it out to make multiple copies. This, of course, means it is not online anymore! There is software out there that will put crossword puzzles online, too, such as Crossword Compiler for Windows (http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000B6X). Puzzlemaker (http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com) allows you to create your own puzzles and mazes to print. Finally, students like online testing. Most like computers, think online testing is faster and more rewarding, and get immediate feedback on their work. At first my students were reluctant to take the tests and were intimidated by them, but they soon began to like them. Disadvantages One major disadvantage is access, either to the lab or to enough computers for all students to test at once. I have alleviated the problem for myself by scheduling the computer lab according to the times I will be testing. This takes careful planning and familiarity with your curriculum. I have found our teachers willing to juggle the schedule so we can accommodate each other if we sign up for the wrong times. Another disadvantage is the ability to transfer the test to an online site. Either you must be Web savvy or give the test to your Webmaster to post. Most Webmasters would be happy, I believe, to do this. A third disadvantage would be actually preparing the test. We can easily get into the rut of using a textbook and then testing with the tests supplied by the book. I have never found a book to go along with everything I need to teach for a given subject, so I make up most of my tests anyway. You can always put the test from the book online unless there may be some copyright issues popping up there (see the book for permission issues or contacts). The last disadvantage I can think of is that if you require the students to e-mail you their results, then you should have some kind of e-mail set up on your school computers. In some situations this may not be the case, so the students would have to take the test elsewhere, which might not be possible. I highly recommend electronic assessment. Teachers and students benefit as a result of its inclusion in the curriculum.
Electronic Assessment, Supplement By Ken Cardwell Electronic tests can be easier, faster, and more enjoyable for you and your students. Try some of the resources listed here to create your own.
Web
Resources Note. Web sites below are ranked (*) by the author. www.redmond.k12.or.us/obsidian/testx.htm http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgibin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000QFD http://hotpot.uvic.ca/ www.examview.com/product_info/
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~jqj/edtech/testing.html You can register with them and then start making your tests. It is a very
versatile site allowing you to make different types of questions and is easy
to follow their step-by-step instructions. If you would like to see a test I
made, go to the following link (it is also located on my test page at www.redmond.k12.or.us/obsidian/testx.htm.
Go to my sample at http://motted.hawaii.edu/~quizuser/quizzes/kcardwell/practicegeometry.html.
www.blackboard.com www.webmath.com/makequiz.html
http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com
www.beseen.com/quiz/index.html
www.webwinder.com/wwhtmbin/jbibquiz.html
http://eleaston.com/quizzes.html
http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000B6X
www.clearlearning.com
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