Watch a closed captioned movie that shows you how to create and deploy test
Instructors use BeachBoard tests to check the knowledge and skill level of users enrolled in courses. Tests can be used as either examinations or homework assignments and permit instructors to assign point values to each question. When a Student completes a test it is submitted to BeachBoard for grading. The results are recorded in the Gradebook.
Before creating a test, instructors should take time to consider the structure of the test they want to create and the types of questions that will be included. Instructors should also consider deployment and setting options, such as test presentation and feedback, how the test will be graded, and the availability of multiple attempts.
In addition, instructors should also consider what type of knowledge is being tested and select question types tailored to the subject matter. For example, on an English test, a series of Short Answer questions may be the best format, while for a Science test, a mix of Multiple Choice, Matching and Fill in the Blank questions would better test student knowledge. It is also helpful to consider flexibility when scoring questions. Will partial credit be acceptable for some or all questions? Are some questions very difficult and may count as extra credit?
Finally, instructors should be aware that there is currently no technological solution in BeachBoard or, for that matter, in any other online assessment tool to completely prevent students from cheating on a test, sharing a test's questions and answers with other students, copying and pasting test questions to an external file, manually writing the test questions and answers on a piece of paper, taking photographs of the test questions and answers, or recording a movie of the test using a screen recorder software program or video camera.
Utilizing a variety of assessment tools designed to support instructor efforts to enforce academic integrity is highly recommended. Alternative assessment can include many BeachBoard tools.
