The premise that using language is a thinking process is central to the computerized diagnostic test being developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test developers are making a significant educational contribution by describing the reciprocal and dynamic relationship between language and thinking. Reading comprehension has been…

The difficulty of computer programming and other design tasks is a function of the multiple abstractions that combine to form a program's meaning. Thus, comprehension of the final form of a program design, the program text, involves retrieving multiple sets of relationships between parts. The research presented here addresses which, if any,…

This supplement updates the original catalog of available PLATO system instructional materials which was published in April 1980. The lessons described have been used in actual instructional situations, or have had adequate testing to guarantee that the files are in working order. Printed directly from the CERL online catalog, "unicat,"…

The application of computer technology to reading research has made it possible to study the perceptual processes that take place as people read with a level of precision never before attainable. This computer assisted research has revealed that where the eyes go for fixations is of significance to normal reading and that during each fixation only…

This comprehensive catalog of available instructional materials for use with the PLATO system lists completed lessons which have been used in actual instructional situations or have had adequate testing to ensure that the files are in working order. Printed directly from the CERL online catalog, "uicat," the information provided for each…

This report describes a computer managed instruction (CMI) system operated by the Navy which involves approximately 9,000 students a day in ten technical training schools, and the research and development effort that has taken place to ensure the most cost-effective and productive technical training system. Major system problems were identified…

Test items, all referencing the same instructional objective, are not equally difficult. This investigation attempts to identify some of the determinants of item difficulty within the context of a first course in educational statistics. Computer generated variations of items were used to provide the data. The results were used to investigate the…

This study compared 38 Hispanic and 28 Anglo college students with respect to the amount of time allocated to items on a reasoning test administered by microcomputer. Results suggested that a time constraint may penalize Hispanic examinees. The applicability of computerized testing for studying test-taking strategy problems is illustrated.…

Discussion of need for improved mathematics education of preservice teachers focuses on a model program, the Mathematics Fitness Project, that includes a computer-generated testing system, management system, and remediation system. Use of the system to improve mathematics skills and attitudes of college students and post high school adults is…

A survey of 268 school psychologists was conducted to explore the nature and extent of ethical-legal problems associated with computer applications in school psychology. One third reported existing problems; 65 percent anticipated potential problems in test interpretation; and 62 percent anticipated problems with record-keeping. Suggestions for…

Reviews seven commercially produced test generator programs appropriate for use by classroom teachers or individual instructors and identifies item construction and test formatting features that facilitate test design and delivery. Test generator programs and their manufacturers are listed. (MBR)

The potential value of developing item banks that would both guarantee the quality of teacher-made examinations and allow for national comparison of student achievement is described. Use of Rasch model methods, rather than classical item analysis techniques, to calibrate the items for these banks is illustrated. (BS)

If you've ever questioned the logic of reducing a student's entire academic performance to a single test score or a vague letter grade, then here's a book that will revolutionize the way you think about assessment and grading. Drawing from years of in-depth research, Robert J. Marzano provides you with guidelines and steps for designing a…

The operating characteristics of 114 mathematics pretest items from the Praxis I: Computer Based Test were analyzed in terms of item attributes and test developers' judgments of item difficulty. Item operating characteristics were defined as the difficulty, discrimination, and asymptote parameters of a three parameter logistic item response theory…

There are very few examples of audio-based computerized tests, but for many disciplines, such as foreign language and music, there appear to be many benefits to this type of testing. The purpose of the present study was to develop and compare computer-delivered and audiocassette/paper-and-pencil versions of a listening test. The test was a measure…