Computer-assisted assessment of learning outcomes in the Laboratory of Basics of Metrology

In the paper ten years of didactic experience with broad and rapid continuous assessment of students’ knowledge, skills and abilities in the Laboratory of Basics of Metrology is presented. A learning management system was designed for manage, tracking and reporting of learning program. The system consists eight sets of basic measuring equipment: power supply, signal generators, multimeters, and analogue to digital converters connected with computers via interface bus. The computer-assisted assessment is implemented in the system using four methods: test at starting point, real time continuous assessment scattered throughout the 10 training tasks, final assessment at the end of the training, grading and ranking all students from the course. During time-limited introductory test convergent assessment of student’s knowledge is performed using well designed questions. Students’ skills and abilities, which are very important in modern society, are assessed in the core part of training program. System allows students to see their progress in real time. They obtain detailed feedback about the learning process. Information about correctness of each step during realization of training program has form of short messages and scores granted after finishing each partial task. Student’s false activity, for example errors in circuit arrangement, setting of incorrect measuring range or function of measuring equipment is penalized by negative scores. Final assessment at the end is based on the summation of partial results. Real-time ranking engenders the competitive spirit within learners from all the course. In the paper presented approach is analysed from a few points of view: whether it fulfils the needs of assessing learning outcomes, the validity and reliability of the assessment, and how well the assessment differentiates between the students. Analysis is based on data gathered during ten years of system using in the Department of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics at Gdańsk University of Technology.

Proceedings of the 11th International CDIO Conference, Chengdu, China, June 8-11 2015