Method for comprehensive integrated assessment in a course of study or occupation

• US 5,879,165 A
• Filed: 03/20/1996
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian Brunkow, Charles E. Kurzhal
• Original Assignee: Brian Brunkow, Charles E. Kurzhal
• Inventors: Brunkow, Brian, Kurzhal, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rovnak, John Edmund
• Application Number:
  US08/618,752
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 434/322, 434/323
• US Class Current: 434/322
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation

Abstract

A method using a computer for creating and comprehensively analyzing in an integrated manner a test and course of study or job performance, assessing multiple transferrable skills within the context of course competencies at the individual test assessment level, comprising the steps of selecting a desired taxonomy system having a plurality of taxonomy items defining abilities relating to learning, performance or achievement pertaining to the course of study, storing in memory an assessment item, the proposed answers, and the correct answer, for each assessment item, storing in memory the appropriate taxonomy items in the taxonomy system that pertain to the abilities which the respective assessment item addresses, repeatedly storing in memory a new assessment item, the appropriate taxonomy items, and appropriate proposed and correct answer for each assessment item, to create an entire test of a common variety (multiple choice, essay, performance) and so as to allow retrieval of all answers and coded information for each assessment item, analyzing the test by generating a report showing the relationship between the preselected taxonomy items and each assessment item to which the taxonomy items are assigned.

Claims

1. A method for a teacher or other user to systematically create and comprehensively analyze a test, and track results in a course of study or job, using a computer system having display means, memory means, and input means, said test having a plurality of assessment items, comprised of the steps of:

a. The user selecting a desired taxonomy system having a plurality of taxonomies defining classes of behavior relating to learning, performance or achievement pertaining to the course of study or job, each taxonomy having a classification of taxonomy codes defining a range of values;

b. Storing in memory an assessment item;

c. For each assessment item, storing in memory the appropriate taxonomy code for each taxonomy in the taxonomy system that pertain to the abilities which the respective assessment item addresses;

d. For each assessment item, storing in memory the correct answer to each assessment item;

e. Repeatedly storing in memory the assessment item, the appropriate taxonomy codes, and appropriate answers for each assessment item, to create an entire test, and so as to allow retrieval of all answers and coded information for each assessment item;

f. Analyzing the test by generating a report showing the relationship between the preselected taxonomy, taxonomy codes and each assessment item to which the taxonomy codes are assigned.

2. The method in claim 1 including the additional steps of:

a. Retrievably storing in memory for each assessment item a special instruction showing the materials needed to answer the assessment item;

b. Retrievably storing in memory predefined task importance code defining the relative importance of the task being assessed in the assessment item;

c. Retrievably storing in memory for each assessment item the task description;

d. Retrievably storing in memory a predefined skill level showing the level of skill required for the task under assessment;

e. Retrievably storing in memory a reading level to which the assessment item is directed.

4. The method in claim 1 having the additional step of retrievably storing in memory a predetermined task importance code pertaining to each assessment item.

5. The method in claim 1 having the additional step of storing in memory for each assessment item a special instruction containing the materials needed to answer the assessment item such that the special instruction for all assessment items in a desired test can be generated at the time the test is to be taken.

6. The method in claim 1 having the additional step of retrievably storing in memory for each assessment item an occupational code that defines one or more occupations to which the assessment relates.

3. A method for a teacher or other user to systematically create and comprehensively analyze a test having a plurality of assessment items, in a course of study, on a computer system having display means, memory means, and input means, comprised of the steps of:

a. User selecting a desired taxonomy system having a plurality of taxonomies defining classes of behavior relating to learning, performance or achievement pertaining to the course of study;

b. Storing in memory a plurality of assessment items having a similar characteristic of either all multiple choice, all long answer, or all performance rated;

c. For each assessment item, retrievably storing in memory the appropriate answer for each assessment item, the appropriate taxonomy code which pertains to the behaviors which the respective assessment item addresses, a task description, a skill level, a task importance code, a special instruction indicating the materials needed for responding to the assessment item;

d. Analyzing the test by generating a report showing the relationship between the preselected taxonomies, codes and the assessment items to which the taxonomies and codes are assigned.

7. A method for a teacher or other user to systematically create and comprehensively analyze a test, and track results in a course of study or job, using a computer system having display means, memory means, and input means, said test having a plurality of assessment items, comprised of the steps of:

a. User selecting a desired taxonomy system having a plurality of taxonomies defining classes of problem-solving aspects or behaviors, each taxonomy having a classification of taxonomy codes defining a range of values;

b. Storing in memory an assessment item;

c. For each assessment item storing in memory the appropriate taxonomy code for each taxonomy in the system that pertain to the abilities which the respective assessment item addresses through its directive or constructed problem;

d. For each assessment item storing in memory a correct response to the assessment item;

e. Repeatedly storing in memory the assessment item, the appropriate taxonomy codes, and the appropriate answers for each assessment item, to create an entire test, and so as to allow retrieval of all answer and coded information for each assessment item;

f. Analyzing the test by generating a report showing the relationship between the preselected taxonomy, taxonomy codes and each assessment item to which the taxonomy codes are assigned, formatted in such a manner that an integration level of problem-solving behaviors can be identified by the user as a means of further analyzing the functionality of test items in the realm of complex thought.