CAT News, Events and Articles Archive

Fall 2009

• Playing It Safe at a Distance: Proctored Distance Learning Exams
  With a steadily increasing number of online courses, CAT has been making changes to the way high-stakes exams are proctored at a distance balancing the students' convenience with a need for exam security and integrity.

Spring 2009

• Online Course Evaluations @ FSU
  FSU is pilot testing online course evaluations in classroom based courses. Instead of spending time during class filling in the paper SPOT forms, students of participating departments were able to conveniently access online forms to provide their feedback about the course and the instructor.
  
  
• CLAST Repealed
  The Florida legislature repealed the use of the CLAST as a state mandated assessment for higher education. Students should consult with their academic advisor about acceptable alternatives to fulfill graduation requirements until a new exam is released to replace the CLAST.
  
  
• Mark-Sense Scanning Tips
  Before dropping off exam answer sheets for scanning, please make sure that each group is clearly marked and bundled, and includes the correct answer key. Please check your answer keys to ensure all marks are correct and completed with No. 2 pencil. Please DO NOT USE white-out or tape to correct marking errors as these clog the scanner's read-head. Note that any changes to the answer key must be made by the instructor. To ensure integrity and security, CAT staff are not authorized to modify exam sheets. For questions, please contact our scanning operations supervisor at 644-3019.
  
  
• Online Course Evaluation Response Monitoring Tools
  Starting Summer 2009, instructors and designated department representatives can monitor the response rates to all online course evaluations during the last two weeks of the semester when the window for submitting online course evaluations is open.
  

Fall 2008

• Ensuring Test Integrity and Security
  Test development, purpose, time limits, availability, security, resources and more from Jean-Marc Wise, Center for Assessment & Testing Director, and Assistant Director of Academic and Professional and Program Services. All teaching faculty at Florida State University should review these important considerations for testing.
• Test Reporting, Scoring, Security & Evaluation
  An overview of services provided by FSU's Center for Assessment and Testing from center director Jean-Marc Wise.
• Issues in Testing & Grading Practices
  Don't insult your students by only requiring them to memorize. Teach them how to think. FSU's Department of Psychology instructor Dr. Jeanne O'Kon explains the huge responsibility of grading students and how it determines very important things about their lives such as majors and future placement. She encourages instructors to let students know their expectations, to be fair and consistent with a clear syllabus and objectives that provide structure and clarity for the class. Test items must be aligned with instructional objectives presented to the student along with the syllabus. She encourages the use of Bloom's Taxonomy for creating test questions that incite different levels of critical thinking. The goal is to measure achievement, not to trick your students or make them guess about what you are looking for.


• Proctored Exams for Distance-Learning Courses
  Distance-learning students, instructors and proctors are encouraged to read these articles to fully understand their expected role, and how our office can assist in giving, taking, or proctoring exams. See also our list of Approved Proctors by State. (292 KB)

Summer 2008

• Already know it? Why sit in class?
  The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is designed to measure knowledge usually achieved in introductory college-level subjects. Read more about CLEP tests available at FSU, how to get credit for tests taken, what to bring on exam day, costs, and forms of payment accepted from the Test Center.

Spring 2008

• Testing in Higher Education
  Faculty should consider these elements when selecting tests for both face-to-face and online courses and when setting the conditions for administering them.

Spring 2007

• Improving Student Perceptions of Your Course
  Teaching behaviors that communicate to students an instructor’s respect and concern for student learning are presented in this enhanced podcast (requires iTunes) featuring Dr. Bonnie Armstrong, director of the Center for Assessment and Testing.


• New Tests Now Available
  The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for International Students is now offered as an internet-based test on specified dates and times. More information and registration
  Also now available is the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) offered on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. with the last seating at 1:30. More information and registration


• Data Collection for Dissertation and Thesis
  Doctoral and masters students who are planning on collecting data via surveys for their dissertations and theses are eligible for our free scanning services - all you have to pay for are the scan forms. We can process 100 answer forms in a matter of minutes and offer a variety of useful reports, including item analysis.


• Testing and Assessment Issues
  An overview of assessments, with a focus on tests or examinations typically given in paper/pencil format or on the computer.

Fall 2006

• Students' Perceptions Matter: Use Course Evaluations to Improve Teaching
  Students use evaluation results to help decide which course sections to enroll in. Instructors use evaluation results to identify areas in need of improvement.

For more information call: (850) 644-3017.