Online Testing Software: Conducting Online Tests
Online testing software is a software program which uses information technology to conduct the test. It includes word processor, on-screen testing and other such methods. There is a large number of online courses being offered to students world wide. Therefore, there is a need of online testing software which can assess the students online. It can also test the cognitive as well as practical abilities of the student.
The main features of an online testing software are:
? It should protect the test from any unauthorized admission.
? It should give you a plenty of question types.
? It should have the ability to check the answers given by the candidates.
? It should take care of time limitations.
? It should provide adjustability to the test.
? It should provide you full control over interpretation of tests.
? It should be easy to use.
An online testing software can include two components: an item bank and assessment engine. The term assessment engine includes both the programs related to hardware and the software for creating and distributing the test. Many testing engines are based on typical hardware. So, the key feature is the functionality of the software program. A large number of software programs are available which enable online testing. The item bank provides questions to the online testing software. The item bank is used by the assessment engine to generate the test. As compared to assessment engine, it is more time consuming and costly to create an item bank. Online testing is becoming more and more popular now-a-days. Some of the advantages of online testing are: ? They can instantly give a feedback to the students.
? There is more flexibility in terms of timing and location.
? Advanced questioning methods incorporates multimedia and interactivity.
? The long-term costs are reduced.
? Marking and grading done by a computer is more consistent as compared to human teachers and examiners. Online testing has seen widespread growth during the past few years. These gives an option to teachers to undergo group classes and surveys effectively and easily. These also save time. A central hub is used to communicate through Infra red or radio and is usually attached to a computer system. An interactive whiteboard is also used along with these devices in many classrooms. There are various kinds of assessments for which an online testing software program is used. They are: 1. Computer assisted assessment
2. Computer mediated assessment
3. Computer based assessment
4. Online assessment In CAA and CMA, the computer’s can be intrinsic or extrinsic. They describe different activities related to the computers. A CBA online test is constructed around during the usage of the computer. It is related to testing practical IT skills or presentation done on screen for intellectual tests. It means that the marking or checking is done by the computer itself. A large number of sessions on assessments are done online now-a-days.
| 