STUDENT ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

• US 20080227080A1
• Filed: 03/14/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GEKU Technology Company Limited
• Original Assignee: GEKU Technology Company Limited
• Inventors: Keeler, Donald Paul, Hefling, Jon Pierce
• Application Number:
  US11/686,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20080227080A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/350
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F

Abstract

Input and storage devices, student assessment systems, and methods of administering an examination are disclosed herein. An input and storage device according to one embodiment includes at least one processor, provisions for inputting answer data to the processor, and computer memory coupled to the processor. Recorded within the computer memory are machine readable instructions for: storing the answer data previously input to the processor; providing the stored answer data to a reader device; storing unique identifier data that corresponds to a user; and providing the stored unique identifier data to a reader device. The instructions for providing the stored unique identifier data to a reader device may be utilized independently of the instructions for providing the stored answer data to a reader device.

Claims

1. An input and storage device for use in completing an examination, the device comprising:

at least one processor;

means for inputting answer data to the processor; and

computer memory coupled to the processor and having recorded within it machine readable instructions for;

storing the answer data previously input to the processor;

providing the stored answer data to a reader device;

storing unique identifier data that corresponds to a user; and

providing the stored unique identifier data to a reader device;

wherein the instructions for providing the stored unique identifier data to a reader device may be utilized independently of the instructions for providing the stored answer data to a reader device.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a lanyard for placement adjacent a user'"'"'s neck, the lanyard being operatively coupled to the processor, the means for inputting answer data, and the computer memory.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the lanyard is a break-away lanyard.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for inputting answer data to the processor includes a plurality of buttons.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for inputting answer data to the processor includes a keypad having alphanumeric indicia.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display in data communication with the processor, and wherein the computer memory has recorded within it machine readable instructions for actuating the display to present the stored answer data.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising means for powering the processor.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the means for powering the processor includes at least one of a battery or a solar cell.

10. A student assessment system, comprising:

a student device having at least one processor, a keypad in data communication with the student device processor for inputting answer data to the student device processor, means for powering the student device processor, computer memory in data communication with the student device processor, and a display in data communication with the student device processor, wherein the student device computer memory has recorded within it machine readable instructions for;

storing answer data input to the student device processor via the keypad; and

storing unique identifier data that corresponds to a user; and

a reader device having at least one processor, an input device in data communication with the reader device processor, means for powering the reader device processor, and computer memory in data communication with the reader device processor;

means for transferring the stored answer data to the reader device processor; and

means for transferring the stored unique identifier data to the reader device processor.

11. The student assessment system of claim 10, wherein the means for transferring the stored answer data to the reader device processor includes:

a magnetically coupled circuit in communication with the student device processor and the reader device processor;

machine readable instructions stored in the reader device memory for receiving the stored answer data via the magnetically coupled circuit; and

machine readable instructions stored in the student device memory for providing the stored answer data via the magnetically coupled circuit.

12. The student assessment system of claim 11, wherein the magnetically coupled circuit has a communication range of less than six inches.

13. The student assessment system of claim 11, wherein the means for transferring the stored unique identifier data to the reader device processor includes:

the magnetically coupled circuit;

machine readable instructions stored in the reader device memory for receiving the stored unique identifier data via the magnetically coupled circuit; and

machine readable instructions stored in the student device memory for providing the stored unique identifier data via the magnetically coupled circuit.

14. The student assessment system of claim 13, wherein the machine readable instructions stored in the reader device memory for receiving the stored unique identifier data and the machine readable instructions stored in the student device processor for providing the stored unique identifier data may be utilized independently of the machine readable instructions stored in the reader device memory for receiving the stored answer data and the machine readable instructions stored in the student device processor for providing the stored answer data.

15. The student assessment system of claim 11, wherein:

the reader device comprises a personal computer and a reader unit;

the reader unit is removably coupled to the personal computer;

the reader unit includes a first magnetic coil;

the student device includes a second magnetic coil in data communication with the student device processor; and

the magnetically coupled circuit includes the first and second magnetic coils.

16. The student assessment system of claim 10, wherein the student device includes a lanyard for placement adjacent a user'"'"'s neck, the lanyard being operatively coupled to the student device processor, the keypad, student device computer memory, and the student device display.

17. A method of administering an examination, the method comprising the steps of:

A) providing each of a plurality of students with a respective student device, each student device having at least one processor, a keypad in data communication with the student device processor for inputting answer data to the student device processor, means for powering the student device processor, computer memory in data communication with the student device processor, and a display in data communication with the student device processor, wherein the student device computer memory has recorded within it machine readable instructions for;

storing answer data input to the student device processor via the keypad; and

storing unique identifier data that corresponds to a user; and

B) providing at least one examination question without use of the student devices;

C) having the students utilize the respective keypads to input answer data to the respective student device processors;

D) providing a reader device having at least one processor, an input device in data communication with the reader device processor, means for powering the reader device processor, and computer memory in data communication with the reader device processor;

E) transferring the answer data from the respective student device computer memories to the reader device processor.

18. The method of claim 17, further including the step of having the students utilize the respective student device displays to verify the input answer data.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of transferring the answer data from the respective student device computer memories to the reader device processor utilizes the respective unique identifier data to associate the answer data with the students.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the reader device computer memory has recorded within it machine readable instructions for associating the respective unique identifier data with identities of respective students; and

the method further includes the step of transferring the unique identifier data from a respective student device computer memory to the reader device processor to obtain the identity of the student in possession of the respective student device.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein steps B, C, and E are repeated for a subsequent examination.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein once each student is provided with a respective student device, each respective student maintains the respective student device in his possession for future use.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein:

step E is performed after steps A, B, C, and D;

each respective student device includes a lanyard;

the method further includes step;

F) instructing the students to place the respective student devices adjacent their necks using the respective lanyards; and

step F is performed after step E.