Read Me
TestScript v. 3.5
by Robert Wright
What is TestScript?
It is way for a teacher to write an online test using NetScape Composer.
It is more for instruction than assessment.
How is it different from other online quizes?
When a student gets a question wrong, he's directed back to the first question
and has to start over. It's kind of like Chutes and Ladders without the ladders.
Why build in this penalty? Why add to the frustration?
And why require typing the word instead of just clicking a button?
When a student knows he'll have to start over if he gives a wrong answer,
more careful thought is even for each answer.
Students who just have to click, often don't think, and the test doesn't result
in much of a learning experience.
Some online programs that just require clicks will tempt the student to
mindlessly click one answer after another until the end is reached.
Going back to the beginning is also a good way for the student to review material.
After a little bit of frustration and the end is reached, there is a sense of accomplishment
and joy and the success is instantly shared with the teacher via email.
It's really hard to get ten perfect answers in a row without learning something.
Included in this folder are:
1) 10 Sample Questions made by Netscape Composer
2) index file
3) wrong file
4) end file
5) Insert.One file
6) Insert.Two file
7) graphics files borrowed from the web
8) This ReadMe file
Here's how you do it.
1. Using Netscape Composer, make 10 questions.
2. Have all answers be one worded.
3. List possible answers.
4. Using a text editor, modify the 10 question files by pasting in Insert.One and Insert.Two.
5. Insert.One goes after <head>. Follow the embedded instructions.
6. Insert.Two goes at the bottom of the file just before </body>. Follow the embedded instructions.
7. Make three modifications in Insert.One:
title
rightanswer
location
8. Netscape will sometimes generate an annoying < > .
Take out <> between the <big>s in the netscape code about three lines below where you put Insert.One.
9. Make an index.html file and an end.html file and a wrong.html file based on the models in this folder.
10. The index.html file is an intro that links to q1 (which is question one.)
11. The end.html file generates an email to the teacher.
12. The wrong.html file links back to the first question.
13. In one folder, put your ten test questions, index.html, wrong.html, end.html, and all of your graphics.
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Copyright February 10, 2001, revised November 23, 2010, San Jose, California.
Email the author by using the first four letters of his first name
followed by his full last name followed by the "at" symbol then
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