eAssessment tools

The following examples of eassessment software are available at the University. ( There are several other eassessment applications worth looking into, as simple as Hot Potatoes, surveymonkey, Google docs amongst other (post to follow in due course).
ABC: Assess By computer

ABC is a suite of tools for all aspects of setting, taking, marking, invigilating and administering online exams. ABC supports 4 question types (m/c, fill in the gaps, free text and diagramming)and runs anywhere, anytime and on any computer.

The student takes an assessment through a simple user interface. Setters and markers have stand-alone tools with setting and marking being done off-line. The invigilator tool monitors students taking an assessment in real time, and alerts the human invigilator to suspicious behaviour. Student data is taken from Campus Solutions.

Blackboard assessments

Blackboard assessments support a range of question types from multiple choice, multiple response, short answer, fill in the blanks, essay questions, sequencing, numeric, true/false and matching. Grades are assigned to questions and quizzes are graded automatically unless they contain a paragraph question.

All assessments questions are saved in the Question Database tool which allows for easy retrieval and usage of question. The Assessment Manager tool allows you to view and grade student submissions, and run reports to compare the performance of students. Assessments available through Bb:

* Quizzes - online tests, marks are recorded in Bb's Gradebook
* Self tests - allowing students to test their own understanding of knowledge and course content. Marks are not recorded in Gradebook
* Anonymous surveys - ideal for questionnaires seeking students views and opinions and for course evaluations. No grades are assigned to surveys and the instructor can see whether students have completed a survey with submissions being completely anonymous.



Respondus

Respondus is a user-friendly Windows application for creating and managing assessments and surveys in Blackboard, supporting all above mentioned Bb functions. Respondus is a powerful tool for creating and managing exams that can be published directly to Blackboard.

Another development is the Respondus LockDown Browser, which is a customised browser that increases the security of online assessment through Blackboard. It locks down the testing environment and stops students printing, copying, going to another weblink, accessing other applications.

Advantages of using Respondus?

• It is very easy to use


• You can access your assessment and surveys offline and modify them


• You can download assessment results


• You are able to move your assessments between multiple courses

Audience Response Systems :Turning Point

TurningPoint technology is a unique lecturing and presentation tool that allows you to communicate with your students interactively by asking them questions to which they can reply using a keypad handset.

There are a variety of assessment (and non) questions included, such as multiple choice, T/F, Y/N, likert slides, ice breakers, questions that reveal opinions and insights, fastest responders, and interactive prompts such as countdown timer, answer now, correct answer indicators, turning a lecture into an engaging, competitive and motivating learning environment.

Wimba Create

Wimba Create is a user-friendly Microsoft Word add-on for creating accessible web pages from Word documents, for publishing on the Blackboard VLE.

From a Word document you can generate a set of webpages that include navigation, table of contents and interactive features (such as flashcards, links, quizzes, movie clips and so on) which can quickly be uploaded to your course. You don't need any special knowledge to add these features, you build them into your course using simple styles and dialog boxes that Wimba Create adds to the Word document.

Blackboard assignments

Blackboard assignments allow for coursework to be submitted online. A BB assignment requires students to submit their assignment by entering text in the Assignments tool, attaching files, or doing both. Submitted assignments are available via the Assignment Dropbox tool for viewing, feeding back to student and grading.

TurnitinUK (stand alone or via Blackboard)
Turnitin is a plagiarism detection tool that is supported by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC). It provides a first-pass plagiarism detection service which searches vast publication databases and the internet. Using Turnitin enables you to eliminate correctly formed documents and concentrate your attentions on those that indicate a degree of plagiarism.

The TurnitinUK GradeMark tool allows annotation of the submitted work by the marker, the insertion of comments and marking work according to a pre-defined rubric. Marks created for TurnitinUK submissions are automatically added to the Grade Book in the associated Blackboard course.