Printing within tests

[ianniow]

How about this.

While doing the practice test I thought it would be a good idea to print out the intructions instead of switching back an forth.

It did not print. I raised a support call and got the following in reply.

 

"This is correct, the pupils will not be able to print documents from inside of the test. The menu option is included simply to enhance the feel of the testing software, to further mimic "real world" programs. There are no tasks within the test that would require the students to print any information."

[beeswax]

you ought to try RM's chocolate fireguards

[Michael]

Good old Print Screen is always handy

[alan-d]

Mmmm - a question

 

Who would design a program that :

 

1. Crashes a network if too many users use it

2. Will only run on a windows network

3. Make it incompatable with future IE releases

4. Does not look like any applications commonly used within schools

5. Uses masses of Server space to store data.

 

Any ideas anyone?

 

Answers on a postcard to RM.

[russdev]

why do people go on about interface...

 

it not like word so what that is good thing it means that teaching will have to improve as students need to learn transferable skills..

 

Interface can be learnt in about 3 weeks...

 

Yes it need tweaking in some places hence the thing is called a pilot...

 

Microsoft spent since 1980 developing there interface rm 4 years...

 

If it was word clone people would moan..

 

Anyway most students can pick up new software like that it us staff that have problem with interface...

 

Also to be fair when software was designed ie 7 wasnt released and server room no matter who designs it going to need large amount of space..

 

Also they have got linux version as well..

 

anyway rant over

 

Russell

[Chafftech]

why do people go on about interface...

 

it not like word so what that is good thing it means that teaching will have to improve as students need to learn transferable skills..

 

 

Russell

 

Agreed with the interface, it is not perfect but at least it tries to provide a generic attitude to how office productivity tools look and feel.

 

As for not printing within tests, I can understand where they are coming from. It is meant to be a virtual environment where levels of aptitude are measured, it is not an actual real world office tool.

 

You can download "how to" posters from the QCA KS3 Website.

[alan-d]

I agree that it is still a pilot, in fact we haven't had any of the problems listed throught these forums, but the fact remains that it has not been developed in the true sense of the word. It has been thrown together using old technology with no insight into current or future technologies.

 

For example - why have all the pupil test data stored on the local server? If it was web based - like GOAL for example the tests could be done online. Granted there should be a backup held on the server in case of internet downtime.

 

Space may not seem an issue now, but this is only one subject - ICT - how much more space is going to be required for all the other subjects that will inevitably follow?

 

As for the interface - we are fortunate that we have bright students that pick up on the differences easily. However I know of some school that have had to spend 2 or 3 lessons just getting the pupils used to a different interface. Maybe this could be addressed by using progress tests using this system during the school year.

 

The idea and theory behind it all is sound, I just feel that it could have been thought through a little more before the pilot.

 

My rant over

[ianniow]

I just thought it would be easier to print out the instructions received by email in the practice test so that I did not have to keep switching windows. I work in a special school for speach and language and our kids don't have the skills to remember and understand some of thequestions and tasks

[russdev]

yes but not allowed see as under qca rules not allowed any paper work in the exam..

 

yer but imagine trying to send 66 tests through 2 meg connection...

 

Well 2 or 3 lessons about right time as take about 3 weeks to learn... going on one lesson a week...

 

If start your sats revsion at end of jan by time get to to may kids will be able to use it...

 

Also dont just relay on material there, take some of tasks in practice tests and create examples in word and excel..

 

Problem is schools are so use to teaching to exam which you cant do with ict sats...

 

Russell

 

 

 

 

 

russ

[beeswax]

yes but not allowed see as under qca rules not allowed any paper work in the exam..russ

 

Russ, could you point me in the direction of these rules as my head of IT seems to think you can have a crib sheet by the side of your machine.

beeswax

[russdev]

i can hold lets phone right person to find the right book...

 

here go

Test Admin guide page 19

 

Also remeber that all posters and displays in room need covering up as well..

 

Remeber if got suprise visit from qca or lea ict consultants as lot of them are now being allowed into exam by qca/dfes then if they see crib sheets and displays uncovered they could null all your results and while its a pilot int wo years time in 2008 it ant...

 

Russ

[daveyboy]

2. Will only run on a windows network

 

Blimey, we must be doing well -

 

We cant be the only Novell shop running these tests ?

 

(okay, we do have a windoze server, but they are all Netware clients)

[beeswax]

that's great Russ, many thanks. got the cannot create chart on a couple of machines today, and 2 stopped working with the software freezing but you could move the mouse.

got a full 7 minutes notice today to get them up and running.

note to self; get a life

[russdev]

lol

 

if freezing is ks3 tests then yes had that twice and best thing to do is is push powerbutton get machine off log them on one of the spare machines...

 

 

Russ

[wesleyw]

Right I can understand about the interface, in my view the actual apps aren't too bad just the buttons on the right annoy me . As for the testing software itself I think it's actually quite good. It's crashed a total of five times (1 User each time was affected) in 8 rooms (24-25 Users in each room) I think this is pretty good for a pilot and seeing as the pupil could then log back into the test and everything started from the point the crash occured they really have done a very good job. I'm not RMs biggest fan but this test is very good. In reference to a point made above having a fully online system hosted by RM wouldn't work, think about the space it takes up here multiply this by every school in the country then all the other subjects it will eventually cover can you imagine the chances of crashes then? Add to this the recovery system in place currently it would be luck if it allowed you back in or at least back where you crashed and through most broadband lines the bandwidth isn't great enough for that sort of data flow. No they've got it right. Just another system that will need to be incorporated into school life.

 

Just slightly off topic the Building Schools project with their idea for a centralised server system at LEA level can you imagine the problems lol!!!!

 

Wes