Testing Engine Saint Leo University Center for Online Learning Dr. Deborah Pendarvis Saint Leo University

2 Center for Online Learning (COL) Began in 1998 with 12 students. Today COL has 5,000 students. Offers 4 bachelor’s degrees and two associate degrees. Offers six eight-week terms per year with 30,000 annual enrollments.

3 COL Student Services All students attend an orientation program that includes standard English and math placement testing. COL provides student services that mimick the main campus: admissions, financial aid, registration and advising. COL has a student government association as well as student clubs. Activities are conducted online through a web facility known as I-Roar

4 COL Faculty Services COL has faculty support staff who trains and helps mentor faculty. Faculty hold online chats on a regular basis to discuss pedagogy and program issues. Campus faculty periodically audit course content and course delivery.

5 COL Assessment Class assessment is accomplished through papers, projects, and online exams. Safeguards to ensure integrity: 1) Turnitin.com used for plagiarism detection 2) All objective exams are timed and questions are randomly generated. 3) Faculty perceptions with regard to inconsistencies in postings and assignments.

6 Test Properties

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9 Question Type

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11 Question Options

12 View and Edit Questions

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14 Setting Priority

15 Student Progress

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17 Student Progress

18 Test Options by Student

19 Test Statistics

20 Administering Grades

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22 Grades by Student

23 Grades by Module

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26 Export to Excel

27 Spreadsheet View

28 Hosted Test: online testing software. Compile test scores automatically Compare and average scores over multiple tests and assignments Instantly tabulate overall grades Merge student, course and test data to and from existing systems or databases Examine the information by student and by course, including both present enrollees and historical trends

29 A Patent on Online Testing? Test Central, Inc. has contacted several academic institutions claiming that its online test-taking patents were being violated (March 26, 2004 Chronicle of Higher Education). Test Central has indicated that it is entitled to fees for the use of its patent. Test Central patent outlines a series of steps designed to develop, post, administer, secure, charge and distribute revenue for (if desired), and manage an exam or assessment through the use of host and remote terminals coupled to the Internet.

30 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ONLINE ASSESSMENT Use a combination of quizzes, tests, discussion postings, papers, projects and application exercises. Opportunities for Cheating 1) Getting assessment answers in advance. 2) Unauthorized collaboration. 3) Unfair retaking of assessment.