Assessment Best Practices for Instructors

Use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox Web Browser. Click the following link to download Mozilla Firefox (http://www.mozilla.org/enUS/firefox/fx/) Be sure the computer is up to date with needed applications for use in Blackboard. Navigate to this site (http://www.yc.edu/v4content/teachingand-elearning-support/students/hardwaresoftware.htm) and select Test Browser. If anything is needed on the computer, there are directions to follow Familiarize yourself with the various options that apply to each question type Use the Pool to create assessments. This allows the use of Random Questions so no two tests are alike Blackboard recommends tests not to exceed 50 questions. Break longer tests down into series of smaller tests Tests should not take more than 20 minutes to complete Provide a Practice Assessment to students so they can become familiar with testing online Login as a student and try the test yourself Once the test is deployed, DO NOT make changes Provide students with information on test taking within Blackboard Be sure to make the Test Link Available in the test options when deploying into the course Unselect the Force Completion checkbox for tests. This will allow students to re-enter the test to complete if timed out or internet inadvertently closes Select NO for opening test in a new window. Many students use Pop-Up blockers which will not allow this new window to open Let students know how to contact you if there is a technical issue Let students know of Blackboard Outages. Yavapai College performs maintenance every day from 3:00 AM 4:00 AM

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Testing Best Practices for Students

Before Taking an On-line Test: Use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox Web Browser. Click the following link to download Mozilla Firefox (http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/fx/) Be sure the computer is up to date with needed applications for use in Blackboard. Navigate to this site (http://www.yc.edu/v4content/teaching-and-elearningsupport/students/hardware-software.htm) and select Test Browser. If anything is needed on the computer, there are directions to follow Be Prepared for the test. Make sure when you select the option to begin, there will be no other distractions Save and Save often. By selecting the save option, Blackboard notes activity in the test. If there is no activity shown, Blackboard disables the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Close all other software programs on your computer Close and restart the Web Browser before entering the test Disable Pop Up Blockers Have a secure connection to the internet rather than wireless to take an online test. Make sure that when you connect your network cable to your computer you also disable the wireless receiver so that it does not override or interfere with the wired connection. If your computer is connected to the Internet through an ISP cable modem that is shared among a number of users (such as at an apartment complex), you will likely experience problems with on-line tests. Questions may be slow to display and your connection may be lost briefly, which will cut off your test session. You should try to find a computer for your on-line tests that is on a more stable connection. Only have one browser window opened to Blackboard Make sure your computer is up-to-date on Windows patches and that it is virus and spyware free Blackboard Outages: Please be mindful (and wary) of taking the exams at times that are susceptible to Blackboard outages. Scheduled outages are posted on the Blackboard login page. Yavapai College performs maintenance every day from 3:00 AM 4:00 AM Clear the cache on your computer before starting a test to mitigate potential problems. In Mozilla Firefox, click the TOOLS menu. Select CLEAR RECENT HISTORY (on MAC, this is CLEAR PRIVATE DATA). Select all checkboxes in the DETAILS and then click CLEAR NOW

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Testing Best Practices for Students

While Taking an On-line Test: DO NOT use the browsers back, forward and refresh buttons during a test. Do not double-click the start button on a test while waiting for it to load. This can cause multiple instances of the exam to open, leading to some confusion. Do not open another browser or application when testing Be aware of your time while taking an on-line test. If your instructor sets a time limit, Blackboard will try to display a warning 1 minute before the time limit expires, but browser settings may prevent this warning from appearing Instructors may set a limit as to when an on-line test is available, often referred to as the test window. The link to open or re-open your test is only visible during this window. If you are disconnected from your test session for any reason, close your browser, re-start the browser, and go back to the test in Blackboard. If your instructor permits, you will be returned to the test question you were just viewing. If your instructor selects the Force Completion option, however, you cannot re-enter a test. In such a case you must contact your instructor regarding this. Save your questions often If questions appear one at a time, select the SINGLE arrow to advance to the next question. If you are not certain that your test submission was acknowledged at the end, contact your professor immediately. Technical issues can be studied from system logs for only about three days following taking a test, and only if students log into Blackboard immediately after opening their browser. Be sure to select the Save and Submit option when the test is completed

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References:
CCIT, "Best Practices for Online Testing in Blackboard Learn." Clemson Computing and Information Technology. CCIT, August 2010. Web. 30 Sep 2011. <http://media.clemson.edu/ccit/CRLT/media/learning_tech/blackboard_learn/media/pdf/Best_Pract ices_for_Instructors.pdf>. ICit, "Giving Assessments in Blackboard." Blackboard Services. University of Cincinatti, n.d. Web. 30 Sep 2011. <http://bbservices.uc.edu/documents/help_site/instructors/guides/guide_files/best_practices_asse ssments.pdf>. North Institute , "Blackboard Best Practices for Online Testing from Start to Finish." North Institute for Teaching and Learning. North Institute, n.d. Web. 30 Sep 2011. <http://ed.oc.edu/north/tp/BbTesting/BlackboardBestPracticesforOnlineTesting.pdf>. UIC, "Blackboard Learn Tests." Instructional Technology Lab. University of Nebraska Medical Center, n.d. Web. 30 Sep 2011. <https://sites.google.com/a/uic.edu/itlnews/bbtests>. UNMC, "Best Practices for Online Testing Using Blackboard Learn." University of Nebraska Medical Center, 11/28/2010. Web. 30 Sep 2011. <http://www.unmc.edu/its/docs/BBbestpractices.pdf>. Wikispaces, . "Assessments." Blackboard Tips. Wikispaces, n.d. Web. 30 Sep 2011. <http://blackboardtips.wikispaces.com/Assessments>.

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