On-Line Computer Testing: Implementation and Endorsement

Abstract

An interactive computer testing and record keeping system was implemented for a large self-paced anatomy and physiology course. This system including security procedures, is described and results of exploratory research axe presented on student preference for on-line testing, test anxiety, attitude and achievement. This required testing program included immediate feedback, second attempts, and retests. When correlates of achievement, test anxiety, and computer attitudes were investigated, we found that over time there was a slight reduction in realistic computer attitudes and a slight increase in general test anxiety. Students reported more facilitating anxiety with computer administered tests and more debilitating anxiety with paper and pencil tests. Strengths and weaknesses of such testing for faculty and for students is discussed. Suggestions are presented for properly integrating a computer testing program into a course.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Dunkleberger

G. E.

and Heikkinen

, A Review of Computer-generated Repeatable Testing, AEDS Journal, pp. 218–225, Summer 1982.

Oosterhof

A. C.

and Salisbury

D. F.

, Some Management and Instruction Related Considerations Regarding Computer-assisted Testing, Educational Management: Issues and Practice, pp. 18–23, Spring, 1985.

Roblyer

M. D.

, The Greening of Educational Computing: A Proposal for a More Research-based Approach to Computers in Instruction, Educational Technology, 25: 1, pp. 40–44, 1985.

Hirschbuhl

Dr. , Director of Computer-based Education and Dr. G. Blumenfeld, Educational Foundations, University of Akron, personal communication.

Postlethwait

S. N.

Novak

, and Murray

, An Integrated Experience Approach to Learning, with Emphasis on Independent Study, Burgess Publishing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1964.

Gwinn

J. F.

, Development of an Audio-Tutorial Anatomy and Physiology Course (abstract), in Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Conference of the International Congress for Individualized Instruction, Athens, Georgia, November 1979.

Gwinn

J. F.

and Sentieri

, ATAP: A Model for Interactive Computerized Testing and Records Management as an Integral Part of a Self-paced Anatomy and Physiology Course, Proceedings of the 1980 Annual Meeting of ADCIS, Washington, D.C., pp. 87–93, March 1980.

Gwinn

J. F.

, Can You Afford to Not Individualize/Computerize? Journal of College Science Teaching, 12: 1, pp. 27–28, 1982.

Gwinn

J. F.

, Problems (with Solutions) in the Design of a Comprehensive Computer Testing Program, paper presented to the Mideastern Chapter of ADCIS, Akron, Ohio, October 1982.

10.

Gwinn

J. F.

, An Evaluation of Audio-Tutorial Anatomy and Physiology (ATAP). (abstract) Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual Conference of the International Congress for Individualized Instruction, Tucson, Arizona, October 1981.

11.

Mandler

and Sarason

S. B.

, A Study of Anxiety and Learning, Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 47: 2, pp. 166–173, 1952.

12.

Sarason

I. G.

, Anxiety: Current Trends in Theory and Research, Spielberger

C. D.

(ed.), Academic Press, New York, p. 383, 1972.

13.

Alpert

and Haber

R. M.

, Anxiety in Academic Achievement Situations, Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 61, pp. 207–215, 1960.

14.

Sieber

J. E.

, Anxiety, Learning and Instruction, Erlbaum Associates, Publishers, Hillsdale, New Jersey, pp. 31–32, 1977.

15.

Spielberger

C. D.

, Anxiety: Current Trends in Theory and Research, II, Academic Press, New York, pp. 481–486, 1972.

16.

Gwinn

J. F.

and Sentieri

, Factors Important to Student Acceptance of Computerized Testing (abstract), Ohio Academy of Science, Vol. 80, 1980.

17.

Hinton

J. R.

, Individualized Learning—A Summary of Recent Research, National Society for Performance and Instruction Journal, May 1978.