Fellow TIPSters,
Can you help me locate a device used for student examinations?
I am trying to find information about a device that I can describe but not
name. It would be great if someone on TIPS recognizes it or can point me in
the right direction.
Last semester a student was describing a device that her brother "had to buy
at USC." She described it as costing about $40 and reported, from her
brother, that all the students in his class were required to purchase it (in
addition to textbooks). The student said that the device was used to record
answers to multiple choice exams. After completing an exam, the student
takes the device up to the instructor and "sends" the choices to the
instructor's device.
I was skeptical but intrigued. At my request, the student borrowed the
device and brought it to class where I examined it for a couple minutes
before class. It was neither a Palm nor a Windows CE device (or other
PDA--I've seen them all). Instead, it appeared to be made of hardened
plastic (like a Palm) and was not unlike a bulky calculater; it seemed
designed purely for classroom testing. I don't recall whether it had an
obvious infra-red interface. It was light-weighted, appeared to have the
mass of about two fists, and was teal-colored. It even carried a
manufacturer's name/logo imprinted on one side that at the time I was *sure*
would be easy to remember without jotting it down(!) I returned the device
and lost track of the student when she later dropped the course. Although I
presume the device is relatively new, I expected little difficulty in
locating it because 'I can always call the bookstore at USC where it was
sold.'
Wrong. The bookstore didn't know what I was talking about. Moreover, I've
tried searching the web in vain. I'm very curious to learn more about the
device because it could conceivably help me to pilot a teaching method for
introductory psych. In any case, the device eliminates the need for form
scanning, can be used for any course/exam that employs scantron-type forms,
and apparently provides immediate score feedback to students.
Can you help me out? Even if you're unfamiliar with this device, do you
have a recommendation for web sites to check (beside NCS & ETS)? I'm not
very knowledgeable about newsgroups. Do you have a suggestion for one that
might be good for posting my query?
Thanks!
Christian Hart, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Department of Behavioral Studies
Santa Monica College
