I have an idea what that might have been. A few years ago, one of the book
companies tried to market a product like that (I believe the company was
McGraw Hill because we were using the Feldman intro book). For this
product, the students didn't buy it - I was under the impression that it
was something the university could buy (or get, depending on the number of
textbooks sold). I don't remember the reasons why we didn't go with it, but
I did hear stories from others that suggested we made the right choice. One
of the things this system could do was have students punch their answers
into a remote control like object and the instructor could see the results
of the survey and post them to the class.
At 09:48 PM 10/2/00 -0700, HART_CHRISTIAN wrote:
>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
Deb
Dr. Deborah S. Briihl
Dept. of Psychology and Counseling
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA 31698
(229) 333-5994
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
These voices must be my soul...
DMB
