Suranaree University of Technology -

Mobile Online Test System

Version 2.0 was supported by Princess Sirindhorn's Innovation and Inventions Fund (Fiscal year 2006)

Rationale

In the late of year 2005, the SUT open source development and research unit received a fund from Princess Sirindhorn’s Innovation Fund to develop a mobile examination system. The project was completed on June 2006. Later on in August, the system was improved to version 1.1. Two workshops were then conducted for 85 interested people, university teachers and high school teachers. Some schools reported that they have actually implemented the system in their school tests. The system uses Linux, a freeware. No basic knowledge is required for the test writers in using Linux while a little knowledge such as fixing the IP address is required for persons setting up the system. The system can be used in a remote place since it is equipped with secured codes. At present there are several educational institutes that have the potential to implement an online test system because they already have a network system with several connected computer labs. However, there are 3 main factors that hinder the use of online tests. They are:
1. the high cost of server class computers
2. the high cost of online test software
3. the cost of training teachers in using the software
All 3 above problems can be eliminated easily with the use of SUT Mobile Online Test System. Only one computer in a test room is set up as a server. Item construction is also easy. Many people are interested in this system. Foreseeable bugs are eliminated in this updated version and more functions are added in for the use of both schools and universities. A VCD introducing how to use the program is also incorporated. Eventually, paper and pencil tests will be replaced by this online system in several institutes.

Research Objectives

To use the SUT Mobile Examination System of previous work as a prototype system and develop a new system which can support both Thai and English test construction and accommodate a large amount of test items
To use AJAX technology to reduce the load of the server and to make the program user-friendly (i.e. users feel comfortable when looking the computer screen)
To increase the capacity of the program to import and export test questions
To display the test items which the test taker is working on
To incorporate a questionaire

Outstanding characteristics of the SUT Mobile Online Test system

It has been developed from SUT Linux system so it can be a webserver and many other servers.
It is based upon an Opensource which is a freeware.
It can be used as a prototype program for any persons who are interested in developing an online program because it incorporates several interesting features such as AJAX.

Advantages for Test Takers

Test takers can look at the computer screen with ease because AJAX technology is used by the program.
While taking the test, remaining time and questions are displayed on the screen so the test takers know their own progress. When the test time is over, everyone is automatically excluded from the program so it is fair for everyone.
The format of the test questions is HTML so they can be displayed in various colors and pictures can be incorporated in the test. These features make the tests more interesting for the test takers.
Several features are included to help the test takers. For example, they can mark the items they are not sure of and return to check the items when they have enough time. This can help them get more marks.
Test takers can easily and quickly browse through the test questions.
In doing the test, only 2 mouse clicks are required: one for selecting the desired answer and another for moving to the next item.
The system sends the information to the server immediately after the desired answers are clicked. The test takers do not have to click a submit button to send the answer to the server.
When the test time is over, all correct answers can be shown and scores are calculated and announced to the test takers. A graph displaying scores of every participant is shown to the participants so they know their position.

Benefits for Test Writers

The system can be installed on any computer and be ready for use within 5 minutes with 2 language menus: Thai and English.
Three types of questions can be created with this system, namely multiple choice, true-false and matching questions.
Several tests can be operated simultaneously with only 1 server. It has been tested that even a notebooks with 512 of RAM could handle 100 testers without delay.
Teachers can control tests from a distance.
All test takers can start the test at the same time or each of them can start at a different time depending on their readiness.
The test questions and choices can be randomly arranged for each test taker.
Teachers can specify whether the correct answers and the scores will be shown to students at the end of the test.
Test questions can be written on a word processor and they can be easily imported into the system.
A questionnaire can be incorporated into the system.
Item banking can be created. Some questions can be selected for use in each test.
The system can generate a test taker name list with login code so the teacher can give each participant his/her information before he/she gets into the test room.
The results of the test can be viewed from the screen, on Excel or on OpenOffice.
The details of the test for each test taker can be viewed.
Teachers can examine the details of each test taker, for example, when the test taker did each item or how long he/she spent on each question.
Item analysis can be done. Teachers know which items most students answer incorrectly or spend a long time doing.
The exam may comprise figure, sound and video.

Benefits for Proctors

The system can be installed on one computer in the test room within 10 minutes. When the test questions are downloaded into the system, the test is ready to be used.
Proctors can look at the screen to see how many students have already logged in and are ready to take the test.
During the test time, each participant’s progress can be checked. For example, proctors know how many questions the students have already answered.
If there is a black out, the server is ready to be used when the electricity resumes.
Test time can be easily increased or decreased.
The system can detect when some test takers attempt to do the test for others.
In case of cheating, proctors can stop and cancel the test immediately.
If the computer breaks down during the test, the test taker can change the computer and continue the test without having to start from the beginning.

SUT Mobile Online Test System is suitable for:

Teachers who like to use online tests
Institutes which require easy to use online tests
Teachers or undergraduate or graduate students wanting to develop an online test system
Students who want to study how to write a web based program
Students who require touse a server in their project
Teachers who want to set up a server for their teaching
Training which requires a web server
Entrepreneurs that want to use online tests for training purposes

Advantages of the SUT Mobile Online Test system

At present, there are many institutes that have several computer rooms on a network. Therefore, online tests are inevitable. They can save paper and time in producing and marking tests. They can also make teaching and learning more efficient because the tests can be displayed in color and can be marked in various ways, such as the items done, or the unsure items. The time progress can help the test takers in managing the test. The fact that learners can look at the correct answers at the end of the test also promotes learning. Their position in the test results can assist the learners to improve their performance. A DVD contains both the system and a demonstrating how to use the system is available to be downloaded with no cost. This is the first free and most complete online test system available now. The researchers are confident that this program will be very useful for educational sectors in Thailand and abroad.

License

Using GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2.