This section covers testing. The first part deals with general issues relating to designing questions, and examines the four major types. The second part looks at how to use the Web as an effective means for testing knowledge.

General Rules

Some tutorials present students with questions at the end of each lesson. These questions can test knowledge of a topic or mastery of a procedure. Each question should relate to key information covered within a lesson, something the student definitely needs to know. If a question seems superfluous, it probably is.

When you are assembling your script, each question should have an identification number that shows its location in the program. C1L1Q1 indicates the first question in chapter one, lesson one. C3L4Q2 is the second question in chapter three, lesson four.

When writing questions, make sure you indicate the correct answer. An asterisk or a text notation does the job nicely.

Multimedia programs can immediately let the student know if a response to a question was right or wrong. If wrong, remediation is the process of replaying the material the question was based on.

There are several different types of questions you can create. We will examine four of these types, complete with remediation text. You can modify each of these in a number of ways.

Multiple choice questions:

You remember these from school: choose A, B, C, or D.

Which of the following is not a feature found in version 6.0 of Microsoft Word?

A.) Synonym Finder. *

B.) ClipArt Gallery.

C.) Mail Merge.

D.) Style Gallery.

Correct: You're right!

Wrong: No, that is incorrect.

Yes or no questions:

These questions require a simple response, yes or no. You can also phrase this type of question as true or false.

Yes or no. The Slide Master allows you to assign different fonts to each level of bullet text.

(Yes.)

Correct: You're right. The Slide Master allows you to assign fonts and font sizes.

Wrong: No, that is incorrect. The Slide Master allows you to assign fonts and font sizes.

Click an item questions:

These questions require you to click one or more items on the screen. You can also have students choose between several items or pictures, kind of like a visual multiple choice question.

Click the button that allows you to add data.

(The “Enter” box.)

Correct: That's right! Click the “Enter” box to enter data.

Wrong: No, that is incorrect. Click the “Enter” box to enter data.

Perform an action questions:

These questions require you to perform an action or procedure.

Add the U.S. flag from the Graphics Palette to the 4th of July.

Correct: Good job! You know how to add graphics to calendar events.

Wrong: I'm sorry, that is incorrect. To add a graphic to your calendar, simply click and drag it to the desired day.

Using the Web to Test

While computer-based testing once required complicated programming, the Web gives almost anyone the power to design, conduct, and track their own quizzes. CGI, or Common Gateway Interface, allows a user's browser and a Web server to pass information back and forth. By creating what is called an answer key database, you can grade answers submitted by a user. Other uses for CGI scripts include search engines and hit counters. For more on the subject, see The CGI Resource Index, which covers testing in great detail.

There are also other methods for conducting testing via the Web. For a look at an easy-to-use program that creates simple, easy-to-manage Web tests, check out Hot Potatoes.