Dynamically presenting practice screens to determine student preparedness for online testing

• US 9,111,456 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2007
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co. (Private Equity))
• Original Assignee: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co. (Private Equity))
• Inventors: Rogers, Timothy A., Bosko, John, O'Brien, Corey S., Mutum, Raghubir S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frisby, Kesha
• Application Number:
  US11/853,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20080102433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,898 Days
• Field of Search: 434/322, 434/350
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Abstract

An online test platform facilitates the dynamic presentation of practice screens to determine student preparedness for online testing. The platform also facilitates development, delivery, and management of educational tests with interactive participation by students, teachers, proctors, and administrators even when some or all of them are remotely located. The platform may include administrator interfaces, test proctor interfaces, and test taker (e.g. student) interfaces to allow each participant to view, navigate, and interact with aspects of the online test platform that are intended to meet their needs.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

logging a test taker into an online testing platform prior to beginning an online test;

using a web browser in association with a computing facility;

placing the test taker in a virtual waiting room following the login;

presenting the test taker a practice test question while in the virtual waiting room;

polling the web browser to obtain data relating to a performance criterion of the test taker in association with the practice test question;

analyzing the data in association with a performance rule; and

determining a preparedness level of the test taker to take a test based at least in part on a result of the analysis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the practice test question is based on at least one aspect of a test taker profile.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the practice test question is based on at least one test taker accommodation.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the number of practice test questions presented to the user.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a number of opportunities to select a correct answer.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a time associated with the test taker.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the practice test question is dynamically generated for the test taker based at least on one aspect of a user profile.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of dynamically generating comprises using a dynamic animation compilation facility.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the practice test question in an online test session presented to the user is based at least in part on a preparedness level of the test taker.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising compiling an online test comprising only questions, accommodations and other adjustments determined for the test taker.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein an accommodation of the test taker'"'"'s environment is offered to a user based on a preparedness level.

12. A method comprising:

logging a test taker into an online testing platform prior to beginning an online test;

using a web browser in association with a computing facility;

placing the test taker in a virtual waiting room following the login;

sending a signal to a proctor interface that the test taker has logged in and is waiting;

presenting the test taker a practice test question while in the virtual waiting room;

polling the web browser to obtain data relating to a performance criterion of the test taker in association with the practice test question;

analyzing the data in association with a performance rule; and

determining a preparedness level of the test taker to take a test based at least in part on a result of the analysis.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising checking an answer to the practice test question while remaining in the virtual waiting room.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising selecting an accommodation for the test taker in the virtual waiting room based on a stored profile of the test taker.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the test taker'"'"'s testing environment comprises audio.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the test taker'"'"'s testing environment comprises text or images.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the test taker'"'"'s testing environment comprises a font size or a volume.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the test taker'"'"'s testing environment comprises a contrast or a brightness.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the test taker'"'"'s testing environment comprises a time duration.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the test taker'"'"'s testing environment comprises a language.