Instructional design: TestMaster is an on-line version of the
printed test bank that accompanies the textbook. It is available for IBM
and Mac. TM enables instructors to create a test with testbank
questions, edit existing questions, as well as add their own questions. QuizMaster
allows you to generate tests in the same manner, but allows your
students to take the test on the computer rather than in printed form. It
provides diagnostic feedback. Security features are built in to insure tests are
not compromised.
Instructor support: print manual and on disk instructions.
Advantages: On-line testing provides students with immediate
scoring feedback. Adequate time needs to be allowed prior to the initial
test for students to take a practice test, answer their procedural
questions, and become comfortable with the test program. Questions do not appear in
the same order on each student's computer screen to maintain the
integrity of the exam. Exams are easily edited, without the expense of reprinting.
The program allows you to create your own questions. You need not rely
on the test bank questions alone
Disadvantages: Though students receive their grades
immediately, the diagnostic profile tells them how many questions they misseddiagnostic
feedback does not tell them which questions they missed and what the
correct answer is. There is no analysis of the result. This makes it difficult
for the instructor to evaluate and revise "problem" questions
consistently missed by students.
Authorship: prepared by history instructors at Houston
Community College and San Houston State University.
Student evaluation: Some students find it difficult to adjust
to on-line testing, but most become more comfortable and proficient with
the process by the second exam. Their major concern, and I think a valid
one (see discussion in Chapter 1), is the relationship between the
multiple choice type of exam conducive to on-line testing, and the more
"critical thinking" style of learning CAI fosters. As the on-line testing
experience base has broadened in the past year I have developed a more effective
means of testing. Students take a 25 questions multiple choice exam using
Testmaster, then switch to Word to answer an essay question.
Time: Test preparation requires approximately thirty min. to
two hours depending on how many instructor generated questions need to
be typed into the program. Students finish a 25 question exam in 20-30
min. leaving time to write a good essay as well.
