System for providing feedback to test resolvers

• US 6,193,521 B1
• Filed: 08/28/1998
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• 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:
  US09/143,303
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 434/118, 434/156, 434/157, 434/169, 434/185, 434/307.R, 434/308, 434/322, 434/323, 434/350, 434/362, 434/365, 382/164, 382/191, 382/284, 382/317, 382/318, 382/321, 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 system for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient test scoring for 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 monitors 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) a receiving subsystem configured to electronically receive information related to a first performance level of a first resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers, and a predetermined performance level;

b) a comparison subsystem configured to electronically compare the first performance level and the predetermined performance level; and

c) a discrepancy subsystem configured to electronically report a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the first performance level and the predetermined performance level.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically report the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically report 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) a receiving subsystem configured to electronically receive information related to a first test-score validity level of a first resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers, and a predetermined validity level;

b) a comparison subsystem configured to electronically compare the first validity level and the predetermined validity level; and

c) a discrepancy subsystem configured to electronically report a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the first validity level and the predetermined validity level.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the receiving subsystem is further configured to receive 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 discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically report the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically report 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) a receiving subsystem configured to electronically receive information related to a first reliability level of a first resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers, and a predetermined reliability level;

b) a comparison subsystem configured to electronically compare the first reliability level and the predetermined reliability level; and

c) a discrepancy subsystem configured to electronically report a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the first reliability level and the predetermined reliability level.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the receiving subsystem is further configured to receive a first score corresponding to the first resolver'"'"'s scoring of a test item during a first time period and to receive 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 discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically report the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically report 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) a receiving subsystem configured to electronically receive information related to a first speed level of a first resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers, and a predetermined speed level;

b) a comparison subsystem configured to electronically compare the first speed level and the predetermined speed level; and

c) a discrepancy subsystem configured to electronically report a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the first speed level and the predetermined speed level.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the receiving subsystem is further configured to receive 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 13 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically report the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically report 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) receiving subsystem configured to electronically receive 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) a comparison subsystem configured to electronically compare the second predetermined performance level and the first performance level; and

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

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the receiving subsystem is further configured to electronically receive first validity levels from the test resolver and to electronically receive a second predetermined validity level.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the receiving subsystem is further configured to electronically receive first reliability levels from the test resolver and to electronically receive a second predetermined reliability level.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the subsystem is further configured to electronically receive first speed levels from the test resolver and to electronically receive a second predetermined speed level.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically detect 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 system of claim 16 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to enable the test resolver to select diversionary activities when the test resolver is signaled 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) a receiving subsystem configured to electronically receive first scoring rates corresponding to a test resolver'"'"'s scoring of test answers at predetermined past intervals in time, and electronically receive a second present scoring rate corresponding to the test resolver'"'"'s scoring of the test answers at a present time;

b) a comparison subsystem configured to electronically compare the second scoring rate and the first scoring rate; and

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

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to electronically detect a discrepancy based on predefined criteria between the second present scoring rate and the first scoring rate as indicated by the comparison subsystem and provide the test resolver with diversionary activities.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the discrepancy subsystem is further configured to enable the test resolver to select diversionary activities when the test resolver has been signaled for the break time.

25. A computer-readable program storage medium tangibly embodying a data package and associated verification instructions executable by a computing 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 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.

26. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 25 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

27. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 25 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

28. A computer-readable program storage medium tangibly embodying a data package and associated verification instructions executable by a computing 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 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.

29. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 28 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.

30. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 28 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

31. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 28 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

32. A computer-readable program storage medium tangibly embodying a data package and associated verification instructions executable by a computing 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 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.

33. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 32 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.

34. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 32 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

35. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 32 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

36. A computer-readable program storage medium tangibly embodying a data package and associated verification instructions executable by a computing 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 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.

37. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 36 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.

38. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 36 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to the first test resolver.

39. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 36 wherein the step of electronically reporting a discrepancy comprises electronically reporting the discrepancy to a system manager.

40. A computer-readable program storage medium tangibly embodying a data package and associated verification instructions executable by a computing system 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 signaling the test resolver to halt test scoring for a break time.

41. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 40 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.

42. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 40 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.

43. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 40 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.

44. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 40 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.

45. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 40 wherein the step of electronically detecting a discrepancy comprises enabling the test resolver to select diversionary activities when the test resolver is signaled for the break time.

46. A computer-readable program storage medium tangibly embodying a data package and associated verification instructions executable by a computing system 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 signaling the test resolver to halt test scoring for a break time.

47. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 46 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.

48. The computer-readable program storage medium of claim 46 wherein the step of electronically detecting a discrepancy further comprises enabling the test resolver to select diversionary activities when the test resolver has been signaled for the break time.