Creative Learning: Learning by Designing Tests Through Networks


Principal Investigator

Ying-Dar Lin

Sponsor

National Science Council

Keywords

Creative learning, Active learning, Distant testing, Test evaluation, Test design, Learning by design

Abstract

    In the previous projects, we have developed a distant cooperative learning multi-server system, CORAL*, and a distant cooperative multi-testbase system, WebCAT*. They formed a learning and evaluation environment that can cross different organizations. The purpose of this project is to upgrade this low-level basic learning and evaluation environment to a high-level creative learning and evaluation environment. In the new environment, students will be asked to design and submit test items, in addition to answer test items, i.e. to give questions and answer other questions. Students can receive more credits if more of their submitted test items can pass the evaluation process and enter the testbase.

        In the passive learning model, students get on-line to (1) browse course materials, (2) look for learning partners to discuss questions, and (3) take evaluation tests. While in the creative and active learning model, students get on-line to (1) browse course materials, (2) look for learning partners, (3) design and contribute test items, and (4) take evaluation on their learning performance and also on the test items they contribute. We not only want to network these components but also automate the whole process. The part that is the most difficult and requires much research is how to automate the evaluation process on the submitted test items.

In this project, we expect to achieve three major results:

  1. To propose the idea of applying creative learning to test design

  2. To establish an automatic and networked environment for creative learning and test evaluation

  3. To develop various strategies in evaluation test items and learning performance

This project is planned to last for three years, with the following focus points in each year:

  1. To study and develop the system environment

  2. To apply the environment to the real classes and research on various algorithmic components

  3. To study the strategies to promote and combine the system with the idea of "testbase league"

NSC88-2511-S009-009