When campuses across the world needed to transition to the online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many challenges educators faced, and addressing academic integrity issues were some of the most important. Certain strategies, such as online proctoring or additional software, were not available to most institutions because the…

Effective assessment is an extremely important area of chemistry education. Typically tests measure students' knowledge of critical thinking skills, chemistry vocabulary, and application of concepts from one chapter to another. While it is relatively straightforward to measure concepts such as chemical vocabulary and algorithmic problem solving…

Two key topics of many second-year organic chemistry courses are substitution and elimination reactions. Predicting and explaining substitution and elimination reactions tends to be a challenging task for students, as documented in the research literature. Motivated by the many documented challenges experienced by students when learning these…

Online student-response systems provide instructors with an easy-to-use tool to instantly evaluate student comprehension. For comprehensive content review, turning this evaluation into a competitive game where students can compete against each other was found to be helpful and enjoyable for participating students. One specific online resource,…

Outlines a sequence used to prepare and to administer examinations by computer. The sequence, based on programs described in an earlier issue of "The Physiologist," is presented under four headings: preliminary steps; taking the quiz; grading the quiz; and flexible options. Information on obtaining the programs is included. (JN)

Discusses the use of special portapunch cards in the testing and grading of large student populations. The cards can be processed routinely at a batch station by laboratory staff having little knowledge of computers. The system not only allows cheap and reliable marking but also can accommodate a variety of tests. (JN)

Compares two methods for computer generation of tests: question retrieval and question generation. Both techniques are described with specific applications for university teaching. Also evaluates the effects of these methods on student performance. Future developments of computer assisted test construction are also discussed. (CS)

Discusses rationale for and use of multiple choice examinations in material balances, unit operations, reactor design, and process control courses. Describes computer scoring of student reaction to, and future plans for these examinations. (SK)

TESTOR is a computer-assisted testing system that provides student evaluation while simultaneously managing all records associated with a program of individualized instruction. Use of TESTOR in a general biology program, at the University of Missouri, is described. (JN)

Documentation and complete listing are provided for an Apple computer program designed to assist students in reviewing biology course content. All questions and answers are contained in data statements which are read into two separate question/answer arrays. (JN)

Presented are abstracts of five papers on teaching materials/methods presented at the 35th annual meeting of the American Physiological Society. Topic areas include expert system used as a teacher/consultant in hemostasis problems, computer assisted testing, and excitation/conduction properties of membranes as illustrated by the compound action…

Describes: (l) a microcomputer-based system for filing test questions and assembling examinations; (2) microcomputer use in practical and simulated experiments of gamma rays scattering by outer shell electrons; (3) an interactive, screen-oriented, general linear regression program; and (4) graphics drill and game programs for benzene synthesis.…

An interactive computer assisted testing program has been developed at California State University. Program options include test retrieval/printing, item bank editing, utilities, and test scoring. A bank of chemistry items (available from the University) is included in the program. (Author/JN)

An instructional system at the University of Maine (Orono) was developed to address problems unique to this institution. The system consists of biology instructional modules, variable pacing through computer-generated examinations, and variable credit. Although lectures were initially eliminated, they were reinitiated to motivate students and help…

Describes a "gradebook program" capable of recording, editing, recoding, weighting, and scaling multiple choice test scores. (SK)