INSTRUCTIONS:12/05/84 (c) Copyright 1984 - by William Lunquist and Robert Black using the tradename of SocrateSystems.
Welcome to TEST MAKER, a versatile educational program which is built on one premise: ease of use for the teacher, and better results for students. Once a question file is constructed it can be manipulated in many different ways, provided it is written with that use in mind.
TEST MAKER is used to create data files of questions, answers, etc., or to alter those already created. The program evolved from a series of programs written more than 10 years ago for the Commodore 64. The Amiga program is compatible with those programs and files can be transferred between computers using either a null modem or one of the transfer programs for an Amiga/64 combination. TEST MAKER combines many of the functions of what are separate programs on the C-64, into one versatile program, which does just about everything a teacher would like to do when creating tests, review sheets, quizzes, etc.
Depending upon the response from users like yourself, we will add more functions and send them to those who have paid the shareware fee.
There should be three versions of TESTMAKER on your disk. Pick the one appropriate to your Amiga (512k, 1 Meg, and 2 Megs) Upon starting TESTMAKER in the usual double-clicking manner, you are asked the question,
"How many questions will you be working with?"
followed by a default of 300. You may increase or decrease the number in increments of 100 by clicking on less or more. For reasons discussed later, it is best to anticipate at least twice the number of questions as you may actually have planned, depending on both the constraints of memory in the computer you are using, and the computer(s) and programs with which you later intend to run the data files. The program has an arbitrary limit of 1000 questions, with 240 characters allowed in the question, and 80 for each answer. To determine what your computer can hold, it is best to experiment with the types of questions which YOU write, keeping track of the list length compared to the capacities of the computer(s) for which each list (data file) is intended. If you are a teacher making up test files, you may plan hundreds of questions, which can be subdivided later for smaller quizzes, review sheets, etc.
When you press RETURN after entering the number of questions, the screen will display:
Do you want to:
-1- Create a new file
-2- Load an old file
-9- Shareware Information
-10- Exit program
Click on 1, 2, or 9 to make your choice. (These are not actually numbered in the Amiga program but I have used the numbers here to make this discussion simpler.)
We have provided a number of sample data files on the disk which may be examined now by choosing option 2. You should check them out before you create your own. The file names are: authors, lit terms, vocab, and quotes. If you choose option 2, the computer will coach you through the loading procedure. Try the "authors" file first. After loading it, the screen now asks:
Are you adding wrong answers to this file,(y/n)?
If you press 'y' here, the computer will ask if you wish to have it make up the wrong answers for you (using right answers from other questions. If you click on 'no' the computer will add array space for the wrong answers which are used in the multiple choice printouts. It is not absolutely necessary to add such answers, since the computer will make them up for you at printing time (selecting from the answers to other questions), but some sets of questions are incompatible enough to make editing such wrong answers necessary. Consider a history test where dates are mixed with names and places in various questions. Whatever you choose, the screen will now display a ten item menu, four of which you saw on the first menu. We will now deal with the options one by one:
-1- Create a new file,
Choosing this will erase any other file you may have been working on so be sure to save your work, if any, before choosing it. When you do, you will be asked to enter your name (press return) and the date. If you just press return at the date prompt the computer will get it from your system clock. The computer now asks if this is correct. Again, the multiple choice option is offered. If most of your answers are compatible, i.e., all dates, all names, all cities, etc., you may wish to pick no, and have the computer make them up for you, either at printing time, or when reloading the file. Choosing judicially here could save a lot of typing. After this decision is made, lines are displayed to show how much space you have for the first question. The editor is somewhat limited, but does the trick. After typing in your first question, press return and a similar, but shorter space is shown for the first answer. Type as you did for the question. Space is provided for an alternate answer. If there is none, just press return, Always place the preferred answer first, since some programs do not show or use the second answer. (Note: programs that use the second answer at this point are all screen games for the C-64, but we left the second answer in to keep the files compatible.) It may also be used for reference information, either for teacher or student use. Teachers may find it useful in test files where students never even see the second answer (a page or chapter number?), or it may be used for students in programs where the second answer shows as a review when the student has been incorrect. If you chose to add wrong multiple choice answers, you will now be led similarly thru screens on which to type them. If not, space for the next question will now appear. When you have finished with all of your questions, type zzz to return to the menu.
-2- Load an old file,
We have already discussed this above but once the file is loaded, the options below are available to edit, add, divide, etc.
-3- View/Edit file in memory,
Choosing this option puts the computer into a rapid review mode, where the arrow keys will take you rapidly thru all the questions in the file. When you are ready to make a correction, choose from the menu at the bottom.
(R)EMOVE does what it says to the question selected. I(NSERT) will give you lines on which to write a new question which will appear just in front of the one selected.
D(UPLICATE) will repeat the exact same question at the end of the file. This is particularly useful when you have a question which is very similar to a previous one, and can save some typing by just editing it.
Editing any line can be done by clicking on the first line with the mouse or by pressing its corresponding number.
-4- Add to file in memory.
This returns you to the input mode used when you originally entered data (as in option 1, above), except that you are put at the end of any data already in memory. The option is most useful when returning to work after a break, or after saving short sections of work as a precaution against power spikes. (highly recommended!)
-5- Save file.
You will be asked if the file is to be saved complete with wrong answers, and where you wish to start and end. You will also be given a screen full of options in which you can split the file in various ways (for review purposes?) This enable you to make a chronological file of a whole year or semester without going over the 1000 limit.
You are now shown a standard file requester. If you repeat an exact file name which is already on the disk, the computer will not remind you, so be aware.
Sometimes you may wish to merge the file you have just saved back into the computer so that you can check to be sure it saved correctly (using the Merge and View options).This is why you were advised earlier to plan twice the number of questions needed.
-6- Merge a file.
This is useful for combining smaller lists such as quizzes into larger files for tests, review, etc. If the file you wish to merge is too large for the number of questions you chose at the beginning, the computer will load only up to that number.
-7- View/edit Instructions.
You may recall under the 'Create a new file' option that you were asked to record your name & date for later reference. This information resides here. You may also add special instructions which will appear at the beginning of printed tests, etc. Note that when two files are merged, only the 2nd name and date are kept.
-8- Send processed information to a disk file or printer.
Choosing this option drops you to another menu:
-1- Print the File.
-2- Create a Multiple Choice Test.
-3- Return to the Main Menu.
Choosing -1- will print the file for use as either a hard copy record for your own use or as a review sheet for students. You can print the student version without answers, if you wish to use it as a homework assignment, etc. The file may also be saved to disk drive (as an ascii text file) for use in a WYSIWYG word processor. Accents can thus be added to foreign language tests in this way, or special symbols or graphics to physics material, etc.
Choosing -2- will give you the same options in the multiple choice format. If you use a file without wrong answers attached, the computer will make them up for you, using correct answers from the three questions on either side of the target (except at the beginning or end of the file). Note that you can change any multiple choice question into a short essay question by putting an @ in the first space of the final wrong answer. It will then print just the question with a short line which reads:
Write your answer: ______________________
Back to the main menu.
-9- Shareware Information.
Developed and tested by Bill Lunquist and Bob Black. This program has been in development and testing for the past 10 years. Other test formats and features are continually being added. If you find this program useful, please register by sending $20 along with your comments and suggestions to:
Bill Lunquist
5854 Hall St. S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
The latest version will be sent to you. We are also offering the complete series of C-64 programs, for those who still have these work horses in their classrooms, for an additional $20.
-10- Exit to the Workbench.
And that's all you need to know to run the program. Future enhancements planned include more printing options, such as creating matching tests, bingo games, and word finds or crossword puzzles. The C-64 already has some of these options and we will add them as enough requests are made. The C-64 also has three screen games (as well as the ability to save files compatible with a commercial game, WORD ATTACK, by Davidson). Some of these could be converted to the Amiga, and embellished. A Jeopardy type game is another possibility, with one Amiga controlling 3 contestants (or groups) giving them choices of question categories, etc., and keeping score, timing, etc. Let us know your thoughts on these.
Whenever I have demonstrated these programs at colleges and schools around Michigan I have been asked how I use them in my own classes. I (Bob Black) am actually a Latin teacher, and the original programs were written by Bill Lunquist with that subject in mind. They were later embellished as I saw their uses in other disciplines.
In language classes, they are useful for all those areas such as vocabulary and paradigm drill where constant repetition is in order. In my classroom I have 8 C-64 computers running from a Vic-Switch network. Each student spends 5 to 10 minutes each day at the computer, drilling on whatever lesson I have chosen. The computer then prints out a report on each student which becomes part of their grade. At test time, tests are created from these same files, which have been merged into one long file containing several hundred items. My tests usually have two parts, one with new material from the current chapter, and one with old material from previous chapters. For the second part, I number the test from, say, 51, in the print out options. Students save old tests as study sheets for the next time.
In a history class which I am currently teaching, I print out a daily homework sheet which consists of 10 questions randomly selected without answers from my data base of about 50. I make about 6 different versions and hand them out randomly to the class to cut down on copying. The assignment is to read the section and answer the questions. At the beginning of the hour, I walk around the room and date stamp the bottom of each paper to prove that they had it done on time. We then go through all 50 questions and points are given for correct answers, some of which can be read from their papers. Most students take notes on this since I allow them to use notes on quizzes, which occur every few days. The quizzes consist of these same questions printed in multiple choice or short answer format.
After several quizzes have been given, corrected. returned, and reviewed, a test is given, using the same questions again (although some of the more obvious ones are changed to short essay by adding an @ in the third wrong answer slot). For the test, the computer randomly selects 100 questions (from a data base of perhaps 300-400), and a second or third test is easily generated for absent students, again cutting down on cheating.
If they follow the rules, read the chapter, and study the quizzes, my students do well with it, and know the material in their textbook extremely well. The key, of course, is in writing good questions. If your tests are to be comprehensive (Exams are a breeze, since it's no different than any other test!) you must write questions which will make sense out of context, i.e., give enough information to remind them of the period of history, etc. Study those provided for more examples. In my history questions, I include the chapter and section numbers, so that students may look them up for corrections.
Write if you have any questions, suggestions, or are interested in joining a particular textbook question exchange.
Bob Black
Footnote: The C-64 programs are still available by sending a $20 shareware fee to the address below, and consist of the following.
FILE PROCESSOR is a question editor with many of the same functions as the Amiga TEST MAKER.
SOCRATIC QUIZ is a question/answer program for student use which provides help if needed, keeps score(s), has sound & color. DICTIONARY transforms a C-64 computer into an instant dictionary for foreign language study, English vocabulary, history or biology terms, etc.
TEST PRINTER prints tests or review sheets in a variety of formats on a Commodore, or ASCII or Epson compatible printer. Of course it prints a key!
MULTI PRINTER prints multiple choice tests from the same master files which work with all the other programs, generating an almost infinite number of different tests, both the questions and the foils being independently randomly generated. Cheating on these is almost impossible, since it is possible to create a separate test for every student in the class in less time than it would take to type one test the old fashioned way (using a simple word processor)
HEMLOCK is a hangman game with a difference! It really teaches! The question is given along with the number of spaces for the answer, and the teacher controls how many guesses can be made before Socrates drinks the hemlock!
CHOICE OF HERCULES is a screen multiple choice game which uses the function keys to choose the correct options. Various teacher options make 'Choice' ideal for most educational levels.
BINGO PRINTER creates separate bingo cards for each student using the same files created for tests and quizzes.
All of the above programs, of course, are for the C-64, but many of their functions have been incorporated into the Amiga version which we have called TEST MAKER. More will be added in the future.
