Using Moodle for formative, objective testing
Posted by Andy Ramsden in Uncategorized November 1st, 2009- Last updated / reviewed: 30 October 2009
Introduction
The aim of this how to guide is to provide some support material around the topic of using Moodle for formative objective testing. At the moment. we provide a large number of resources on the topic, so this how to guide will provide pointers to these based on a range of commonly asked questions.
In terms of using Moodle for objective testing, we do not currently recommend using Moodle for high stake summative objective testing – please see the following Moodle Policy statement: http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/moodle/moodle-policy/#high-stake). However, we do recommend and support its use as a formative objective testing tool, in particular, the use of Moodle Quiz and Lesson activities.
What is objective testing?
Objective testing is “a test consisting of factual questions requiring extremely short answers that can be quickly and unambiguously scored by anyone with an answer key, thus minimizing subjective judgments by both the person taking the test and the person scoring it” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/objective+test, Accessed 30th October, 2009).
What evidence is there for success of formative objective testing?
There is a growing base of evidence which describes how objective testing has been effectively in learning and teaching. At the institutional level, a case study of Kevin Renfrew’s use of Moodle for diagnostic assessment in the English Language Centre (ELC) suggests it can have a significant impact on student learning (http://blogs.bath.ac.uk/casestudies/2009/01/21/using-the-moodle-quiz-for-diagnostic-assessment/).
How do I design good questions?
An important point to remember is a key factor in the success of objective testing is the notion of question design. The e-Learning Team at the University of Bristol have written a very useful resource, related to the design of effective questions, titled Writing assessment questions for online delivery: principles and guidelines (http://esu.bris.ac.uk/esu/e-assessment/writing_e-assessments/index.htm).
What support is there available for using Moodle for objective testing?
The e-Learning Team at the University of Bath provide a number of different self-paced support routes. For instance:
- Moodle Docs – useful information on the Moodle Quiz (http://docs.moodle.org/en/Quiz) and Lesson (http://docs.moodle.org/en/Lessons) activities can be found within this Moodle community resource.
- Using Moodle e-Book – This is available within the Staff Area Moodle course. It contains a chapter each on the Moodle Quiz and Lesson activities, and we recommend that you reference the appropriate chapters in the first instance.
- The Creating and Using a Moodle Quiz FAQs within our Moodle FAQ database – http://moodle.bath.ac.uk/faq/category/23/creating-and-using-a-moodle-quiz.html
Where do I go next?
An excellent starting point is the LTSN Generic Centre assessment series (http://www.ukcle.ac.uk/resources/assessment/series.html). You are also strongly encouraged to contact the e-Learning team at e-learning@bath.ac.uk .
