Demonstration with Equipment

Online Quizes and Raediness Evaluations using Cold Fusion

Ken M. Williams
University of Arizona,Tucson, AZ

Abstract:

In order to move beyond static HTML for suizzes and Esvaluations, we have adopted Allaire Corporation's Cold Fusion in conjunction with Microsoft's Internet Information Server and MS Access database to produce interactive online quizzes used in graduate and undergraduate biology education at the University of Arizona. We have also used the technology to develop "Are You Ready for Biology", an assesment instrument for incoming students to test their readiness for our introductory biology course by measuring their level of performance in a variety of areas thought to be critical to success in biology.

Using a database approach allows us to collect and analyze quiz and evaluation question responses in detail, using simple HTML interfaces and standard SQL query techniques. We can also analyze correlations between student performance on the quizzes and evaluations, and their overall performance in the introductory class.

We will demonstrate three models: mutiple-choice online quizzes, short-answer online homework assignments, and "R U Ready for Biology", our online readiness assesment for intro Biology at the University of Arizona.

Benefit in Attending Session:

Our demo will show developers how easily database techniques may be integrated with online HTML forms and interfaces to create quizzes and evaluation systems that are easy to maintain, and easy for sudents, professors and teaching assistants to use in their classes.

Ken M. Williams
University of Arizona
Biosciences West 234
PO Box 210088
Tucson, AZ 85721-0088
 
520.621.3624
Fax Number:
520.621.3709
kenw@u.arizona.edu
http://www.biology.arizona.edu