Method for providing performance feedback to test resolvers

• US 5,718,591 A
• Filed: 11/20/1995
• Issued: 02/17/1998
• 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:
  US08/561,083
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 434/156, 434/157, 434/169, 434/185, 434/307 R, 434/308, 434/322, 434/323, 434/350, 434/362, 434/365, 434/118, 382/10, 382/48, 382/59, 382/62, 395/761, 395/762, 395/806, 395/326, 395/329, 395/339, 395/401, 395/427, 395/927, 395/376, 358/444, 358/450, 273/273, 273/429-432
• 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 method for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient test scoring of the answers. The method monitors test resolver performance in order to provide feedback. By tracking a resolver'"'"'s scoring rate to compile performance data, the method monitors efficiency and optionally recommends break times and provides the resolver with diversionary activities during breaks.

Claims

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

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

b) electronically comparing the first performance level and the predetermined performance level; and

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

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

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

a) 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) electronically comparing the first validity level and the predetermined validity level; and

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

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of electronically receiving information comprises receiving a test score for a quality item from the first resolver and a known score for the quality item.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

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

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

b) electronically comparing the first reliability level and the predetermined reliability level; and

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

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of electronically receiving information comprises 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 method of claim 8 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

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

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

b) electronically comparing the first speed level and the predetermined speed level; and

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

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of electronically receiving information comprises 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 method of claim 12 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

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

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

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

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

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of electronically receiving first performance levels comprises electronically receiving first validity levels from the test resolver and electronically receiving a second predetermined validity level.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of electronically receiving first performance levels comprises electronically receiving first reliability levels from the test resolver and electronically receiving a second predetermined reliability level.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of electronically receiving first performance levels comprises electronically receiving first speed levels from the test resolver and electronically receiving a second predetermined speed level.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of electronically detecting a discrepancy comprises electronically detecting a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the second predetermined performance level and the first performance levels and providing the test resolver with diversionary activities.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of electronically detecting a discrepancy comprises enabling the test resolver to select diversionary activities when the test resolver is signalled for the break time.

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

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

b) electronically comparing the second scoring rate and the first scoring rate; and

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

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

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of electronically detecting a discrepancy further comprises enabling the test resolver to select diversionary activities when the test resolver has been signalled for the break time.