Education and demonstration – Question or problem eliciting response – Grading of response form
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-03
2001-01-30
Rovnak, John Edmund (Department: 3713)
Education and demonstration
Question or problem eliciting response
Grading of response form
C434S351000, C434S362000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181910
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a system for scoring test papers in an educational environment, and more particularly to a portable computerized test scoring system and method which permits each student to automatically download his or her answers to true/false or multiple choice examination questions from a remote unit to a centralized scoring computer, whereupon the examination will be instantaneously graded and the results downloaded to the student's remote unit.
There is a thrust in industry, due to environmental concerns, to reduce the amount of paper consumed and wasted throughout the world. This creates a need to transfer as much information as possible using paperless systems. One area in which such an approach is important is in the educational market, wherein the number of test papers required by colleges and universities is very large. Additionally, there is a long-felt need for a modernized system of testing wherein a student may take the test in a manner which ensures accurate, reliable, and instantaneous scoring, to thereby provide immediate feedback concerning his or her progress and which will minimize the chance for errors in recording and transferring the answers between the student and the teacher. Moreover, methods of testing which reduce the opportunity for cheating to occur are always desirable.
An electronic test scoring system and method using a remote answer recording unit which is operated by the student is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,213 to Derks. In the disclosed system, a scoring processor is provided which is operated by the teacher. Additionally, a plurality of answer recording units are provided, for the students who are taking a particular examination. The student records his or her answers to each examination question, by stroking particular keys on the keypad of the answer recording unit assigned to that student, after which the answer recording unit is placed in proximity with a docking station. The teacher or proctor then strokes a scoring key associated with the scoring processor, which causes the scoring processor to produce a pulse which activates an antenna on the scoring processor. The signal from this antenna activates the answer recording unit to transmit the inputted answers for the examination questions to the scoring processor, whereupon the instructor or proctor engages a clear signal whereby the scoring processor transmits a clear signal to the answer recording unit, so that the answer recording unit clears its memory.
The problem with this prior art system is its extreme complexity, and consequent cost disadvantage, which renders it impractical for use by most students and schools operating on very limited budgets. The system, for example, employs complex specially tuned inductive antennas for transmitting data, as well as oscillators and amplifiers, which are expensive and require an expensive and complex docking station between the answer recording unit and the scoring processor. Furthermore, the prior art system does not provide immediate feedback to the student, by providing the examination results. Structurally, the system requires a physically substantial impervious wall for the answer recording unit, which increases cost and weight of the system. Additionally, the assistance of the instructor or proctor is mandatory in order to download the inputted answers from the answer recording unit to the scoring processor.
What is needed, therefore, is an automated paperless examination scoring system comprising remote scoring (answer recording) units which are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, permanently identified with a particular student, and which employ cheat-resistant displays, to minimize fraud. The system should also be operable to provide the student with instantaneous test results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the problems outlined above by providing an examination scoring system which comprises an independent, portable hand-held remote scoring unit, which preferably is owned by the student, having the capability to download answers stored therein without the need for an expensive docking station, and having the capability to transmit answers to the central scoring computer without the presence or assistance of the instructor or proctor. The system is particularly advantageous in that it provides the opportunity for the student to receive immediate scoring results to his or her remote scoring unit, and the remote scoring unit is designed to minimize the possibility of cheating. Additionally, it is ideal for use by students who may have difficulties with writing or may have hand/eye coordination disabilities which make it difficult or impossible for them to take examinations using the state-of-the-art bubble system.
More particularly, there is provided an examination scoring system which comprises a central scoring computer, such as a state of the art notebook computer, a master database which is loaded onto the central scoring computer, wherein the database contains correct answers to each of a plurality of questions which are to appear on a particular examination. Also included in the system is a remote scoring unit, which comprises a housing, a keypad including a plurality of answer keys, an enter key, and a send key for transmitting inputted answers to the central scoring computer. The housing includes thereon an infrared data transmission and receiving port for communicating directly with the central scoring computer. Advantageously, this communication takes place without the use of a docking station. The system includes a display for displaying information to a user, preferably a student.
An advantageous feature of the present invention is that the display is adapted to eliminate viewing by anyone other than the user. It preferably comprises a TN liquid crystal display without back lighting, and has a very narrow viewing angle. Additionally, a bezel is disposed about the display, extending upwardly to prevent viewing of the display by anyone other than the user.
Another advantageous feature of the invention is the inclusion of a read-only memory unit which contains a permanent unique identification code for identifying the remote scoring unit.
In another aspect of the invention, a remote scoring unit for an examination scoring system is provided, wherein the remote scoring unit comprises a housing, a keypad including a plurality of answer keys, an enter key, and a send key for transmitting inputted answers to a central scoring computer. The housing includes thereon an infrared data transmission and receiving port for communicating directly with the central scoring computer, without the use of a docking station. A display is provided for displaying information to a user.
In still another aspect of the invention, a method of taking and scoring an examination is provided, comprising the steps of activating a remote scoring unit comprising a housing, a keypad, a data transmission and receiving port for communicating directly with a central scoring computer, and a display for displaying information to a user. In this method, the student enters answers to a plurality of examination questions into a memory unit of the remote scoring unity by depressing selected answer keys on the keypad responsive to each one of the questions. Then, the remote scoring unit is located a suitable distance (preferably 1 to 3 feet away) from the central scoring computer and a send button is depressed to transmit the answers to the central scoring computer. A unique identifier is transmitted to the central scoring computer as well. Ultimately, the results of the examination are immediately received from the central scoring computer and displayed on the display.
The invention, together with additional features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4764120 (1988-08-01), Griffin et al.
patent: 5161118 (1992-11-01), Matsuda et al.
patent: 5379213 (199
Biedermann Robert S.
Jerrold-Jones David A.
Rovnak John Edmund
Stout Donald E.
Stout, Uxa Buyan & Mullins, LLP
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