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Electronic
Assessment
By Ken Cardwell
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 Download
the full article (PDF, 494 KB, PDF
Instructions)
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.
Figure 1 |
Technology integration is an important aspect of the project-based math
curriculum I teach. Each unit of study consists of some in-class assignments to
teach the basics. Then students go to the lab to complete a project. On completion
of the unit, students take an online test. You can find some examples at www.redmond.k12.or.us/obsidian/testx.htm
(Figure 1).
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!
Figure 2 |
Another
way I have used these tests is to use a projector and show the quiz
on the wall for the whole class. They take the entire test (I scroll
down as they work), and when finished we look at the answers together
and discuss them. This, of course, works great where teachers have
only one computer in the classroom. I often use these quizzes for
my benefit as well to see if I have taught the material well enough
for the students to take a more formal assessment. A site that has
an example somewhat like this can be found at www.webwinder.com/wwhtmbin/jbibquiz.html.
To use or modify this test, you will need to know Web authoring (in
HTML) and JavaScript.
Figure 3 |
The second approach (test in the Math column, Figure 3) assesses
a particular subject and provides a grade on completion. These are the tests that
I use in grading my students. Students submit their grades using a form.
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,
Figure 4 |
crossword,
matching, ordering, and gap-fill exercises for the Web. Figure
4 shows a sample page.
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
Figure 5 |
arrow
next to the Q1 box. You can supply up to 20 questions on your test.
Then you can save the test and use it locally, from your school’s
server, or on the Web.
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.
Figure 6 |
Still
another free test creation program is LearnWith. It is a flashcard
program that you can use to save items locally or publish them on
the Web. I use this to get students ready for tests mainly. I have
simple short questions such as “25% = what as a fraction?”
The other side of the card has the answer (G). I hook my laptop to
a viewer and display the cards on the wall. The students see the first
card with the question only and I allow them a very short time to
supply an answer. Then I show the back of the card with the answer.
You could make this a formal test as well. Download LearnWith from
ZDNet (http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000QFD).
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.
Figure 7 |
Second,
the student can take the test when and where appropriate. Even taking
the test
at home is an option if the student has Internet access at home.
Students can
wait until they think they have mastered the material before being
tested on it.
My students can send their results to me by e-mail on a form that I
created, attaching
the test as verification when necessary (Figure
7). One problem did come up for another teacher using this test:
Her student
retook the test and got a better grade. To eliminate this possibility, I
schedule
formal tests in the computer lab. I walk through the lab to monitor
students’
progress. As each student finishes, I record his or her score.
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.
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While working as a teacher, Webmaster,
and district trainer for the Redmond (Oregon) School District,
Ken Cardwell (kcardwel@redmond.k12.or.us)
has organized and participated in countless workshops across
the United States. With the knowledge and wisdom of 26 years
of teaching, five years of computer consulting, extensive
Web design skills, and experience training educators in technology
use, he has made tremendous contributions both locally and
nationally to technology education.
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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. These Web sites were valid when
this issue of L&L went to press. We have no control over these
sites, and the Web is very volatile. Please let us know if you find
a broken link, and we’ll do our best to fix it.
Note. Web sites below are ranked (*) by the author.
www.redmond.k12.or.us/obsidian/testx.htm
My test site
http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
Great site of online quizzes and other items—highly recommend!
*****
http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgibin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000QFD
This is a great, user-friendly flashcard program. You can make tests
to use on your local computer or publish the test to the Web.
*****
http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
HotPotatoes download site
*****
www.examview.com/product_info/
Another powerful test-generation program that has many options such
as inserting graphics, many types of tests, and a variety of options.
This software is not free, but it is well worth it.
*****
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~jqj/edtech/testing.html
This site is called WebBased Assessment and contains some links
for possible sites to construct online tests. The link that is
particularly
good is the link that takes you to the quiz center (http://motted.hawaii.edu/et_tools/quizcenter/index.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
A great site for posting a complete course with assignments, quizzes,
tutorials, and tests. The site is involved, so you must be dedicated
and have a real desire to use their features. I have a course online
there now: go to www.redmond.k12.or.us.
Pick links of interest, then courses online. Follow the instructions
from there.
****
www.webmath.com/makequiz.html
WebMath’s quiz site offers another free piece of software that
allows you to create quizzes and store them online. You can customize
the self-scoring tests somewhat to give the students’ answers
and other feedback. Even if you don’t take advantage of their
testing software, you should visit Webmath; it is a great math resource
for teachers.
****
http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com
Crossword-creation site
****
www.beseen.com/quiz/index.html
Beseen’s Quizlet is not a test program but a survey or voting
program. People are surveyed on a question, and results are
automatically
updated. Good for educators to assess opinions, student readiness
for testing, and so on. Easy to set up and free!
****
www.webwinder.com/wwhtmbin/jbibquiz.html
Online test-creation site
***
http://eleaston.com/quizzes.html
list of links to tests and testing software
***
http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000B6X
Crossword-creation software download site
***
www.clearlearning.com
This software, Test Pilot, is Java-based. It is very versatile,
allowing all types of mathematical symbols, pictures, sound, and
video.
(I haven’t tested it.)
http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000QFD
flash card & quizzer
(ZDNet gives it 5 stars, but I haven’t used it.)
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Copyright © 2000, ISTE (International Society for
Technology
in Education). All rights reserved.
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