Service: implementation of new functionality to the existing Web application, data migration
Solution type: web application
Business area: education & e-learning
Period: 2007-2008
Key problems
Previous version of the client’s VLE (virtual learning environment) supported only a few types of questions in tests functionality. Extended test functionality was needed which would allow to create more flexible and complicated instruments to assess knowledge and learning results of students, and, therefore, get better feedback needed to assess how successful the learning process was for every student and how effective the learning program is in general.
Note: QTI (Question & Test Interoperability) is a specification describing a data model for the representation of question (assessmentItem) and test (assessmentTest) data and their corresponding results reports. Therefore, the specification enables the exchange of this item, test and results data between authoring tools, item banks, test constructional tools, learning systems and assessment delivery systems.
The main goals of the project were:
- To add support of more types of questions;
- To import/export to QTI v. 2.1 formats of stored test data.
Five major tasks of the project:
- To add more types of questions – Either/Or, Multiple Choice/Response, Short/Open Answers, Hot Spot Click, etc.;
- To develop new user interface of the test functionality;
- To develop new scoring methods for assess tests functionality;
- To add support of multimedia formats in tests;
- To migrate existing data to new formats of questions.
Solution
Arcadia developed new format of storing question and result data extending the QTI v. 2.1 format. This simplifies the process of importing and exporting test data to/from QTI format and thus allows the users of the e-learning system to utilize tests provided by independent learning content providers and create more complicated and more revealing tests by themselves. Extended functionality and enhanced user interface now allows making the testing process more flexible and giving more feedback to learners.
Development tools
- MS Visual Studio .NET
- TestTrack Pro v. 6.1
Technologies used
- Microsoft Windows XP/2003
- MySQL version 5.0 (MySQL OLEDB provider)
- MS IIS 6.0
- .NET Framework 1.1
- Adobe Flash Player 6.0
Duration and scope
14 months / ~60 person-months