System for providing performance feedback to test resolvers

• US 5,437,554 A
• Filed: 02/05/1993
• Issued: 08/01/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCS Pearson Incorporated (Pearson plc)
• Original Assignee: National Computer Systems, Inc. (Pearson plc)
• Inventors: Clark, Jay V., Moyer, Judith, Bramlett, William L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US08/014,176
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 434/156, 434/157, 434/169, 434/85, 434/307, 434/308, 434/322, 434/323, 434/350, 434/362, 434/365, 434/118, 364/419.2, 382/10, 382/48, 382/59, 395/164, 395/166, 395/927, 395/400, 395/425, 350/444, 273/273, 273/430
• US Class Current: 434/322
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/066 with answer indicating cards, blocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/927 Education or instruction

Abstract

A system for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient scoring of the answers. The system monitors test resolver performance in order to provide feedback. By tracking a resolver'"'"'s scoring rate to compile performance data, the system monitor'"'"'s efficiency and optionally recommends break times and provides the resolver with diversionary activities during breaks.

Claims

1. A system for electronically providing performance feedback based upon a comparison of a test resolver'"'"'s performance in scoring test answers to predetermined performance criteria, the system comprising:

a) receive means for electronically receiving information related to a first performance level of a first resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers, and a predetermined performance level;

b) comparison means for electronically comparing the first performance level and the predetermined performance level; and

c) feedback means for electronically reporting a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the first performance level and the predetermined performance level.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the feedback means comprises means for electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the feedback means comprises means for electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

4. A system for electronically providing performance feedback based upon a comparison of a test resolver'"'"'s performance in scoring test answers to predetermined performance criteria, the system comprising:

a) receive means for electronically receiving information related to a first test-score validity level of a first resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers, and a predetermined validity level;

b) comparison means for electronically comparing the first validity level and the predetermined validity level; and

c) feedback means for electronically reporting a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the first validity level and the predetermined validity level.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the receive means comprises means for receiving a test score for a quality item from the first resolver and a known score for the quality item.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the feedback means comprises means for electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the feedback means comprises means for electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

8. A system for electronically providing performance feedback based upon a comparison of a test resolver'"'"'s performance in scoring test answers to predetermined performance criteria, the system comprising:

a) receive means for electronically receiving information related to a first reliability level of a first resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers, and a predetermined reliability level;

b) comparison means for electronically comparing the first reliability level and the predetermined reliability level; and

c) feedback means for electronically reporting a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the first reliability level and the predetermined reliability level.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the receive means comprises means for receiving a first score corresponding to the first resolver'"'"'s scoring of a test item during a first time period and for receiving a second score corresponding to the first resolver'"'"'s scoring of the test item during a second time period.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the feedback means comprises means for electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the feedback means comprises means for electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

12. A system for electronically providing performance feedback based upon a comparison of a test resolver'"'"'s performance in scoring test answers to predetermined performance criteria, the system comprising:

a) receive means for electronically receiving information related to a first speed level of a first resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers, and a predetermined speed level;

b) comparison means for electronically comparing the first speed level and the predetermined speed level; and

c) feedback means for electronically reporting a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the first speed level and the predetermined speed level.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the receive means comprises means for receiving at least one of the following:

a first scoring rate corresponding to the first resolver'"'"'s scoring of the test answers, an average scoring rate corresponding to a selected group of resolvers'"'"' scoring of the test answers, and a second scoring rate corresponding to a second resolver'"'"'s scoring of the test answers.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the feedback means comprises means for electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the feedback means comprises means for electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

16. A system for increasing test resolver efficiency by monitoring test resolver performance in scoring test answers and recommending break times to the test resolvers, the system comprising:

a) receive means for electronically receiving first performance levels corresponding to a test resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers at predetermined past intervals in time, and for electronically receiving a second predetermined performance level;

b) comparison means for electronically comparing the second predetermined performance level and the first performance level; and

c) recommendation means for electronically detecting a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the second predetermined performance level and the first performance level as indicated by the comparison means and for signalling the test resolver to halt test scoring for a break time.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the receive means comprises means for electronically receiving first validity levels from the test resolver and for electronically receiving a second predetermined validity level.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the receive means comprises means for electronically receiving first reliability levels from the test resolver and for electronically receiving a second predetermined reliability level.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the receive means comprises means for electronically receiving first speed levels from the test resolver and for electronically receiving a second predetermined speed level.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the recommendation means further comprises diversion means for electronically detecting a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the second predetermined performance level and the first performance levels as indicated by the comparison means and for providing the test resolver with diversionary activities.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein the recommendation means further comprises resolver-selected diversion means for enabling the test resolver to select diversionary activities when the recommendation means has signalled the test resolver for the break time.

22. A system for increasing test resolver efficiency by monitoring test resolver performance in scoring test answers and recommending break times to the test resolvers, the system comprising:

a) receive means for electronically receiving first scoring rates corresponding to a test resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers at predetermined past intervals in time, and for electronically receiving a second present scoring rate corresponding to the test resolver'"'"'s scoring of the test answers at a present time;

b) comparison means for electronically comparing the second scoring rate and the first scoring rates; and

c) recommendation means for electronically detecting a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the second scoring rate and the first scoring rates as indicated by the comparison means and for signalling the test resolver to halt test scoring for a break time.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the recommendation means further comprises diversion means for electronically detecting a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the second present scoring rate and the first scoring rates as indicated by the comparison means and for providing the test resolver with diversionary activities.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the recommendation means further comprises resolver-selected diversion means for enabling the test resolver to select diversionary activities when the recommendation means has signalled the test resolver for the break time.