Authors:
Craig Zilles
1
;
Matthew West
2
;
Geoffrey Herman
1
and
Timothy Bretl
3
Affiliations:
1
Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and U.S.A.
;
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and U.S.A.
;
3
Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and U.S.A.
Keyword(s):
Assessment, Higher Education, Computer, Exams, Frequent Testing, Second-chance.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computer-Supported Education
;
e-Learning
;
Instructional Design
;
Learning/Teaching Methodologies and Assessment
Abstract:
For the past five years we have been operating a Computer-Based Testing Facility (CBTF) as the primary means of summative assessment in large-enrollment STEM-oriented classes. In each of the last three semesters, it has proctored over 50,000 exams for over 6,000 unique students in 25–30 classes. Our CBTF has simultaneously improved the quality of assessment, allowed the testing of computational skills, and reduced the recurring burden of performing assessment in a broad collection of STEM-oriented classes, but it does require an up-front investment to develop the digital exam content. We have found our CBTF to be secure, cost-effective, and well liked by our faculty, who choose to use it semester after semester. We believe that there are many institutions that would similarly benefit from having a Computer-Based Testing Facility.