HyperCard 2.0 or higher, hard drive. To add sounds to a test you will need the microphone that comes with most Macs and the Audio Help stack that comes with HyperCard or a third party product such as the MacRecorder. I have a stack that makes creating sounds for tests/presentations very easy called the Audio Spelling Tester. If you send a disk along with your shareware fee, I will send it to you. It works with both the microphone and the MacRecorder. To display QuickTime movies you need at least a Mac Classic II or higher (68020 processor or higher), and the QuickTime extension installed in your system folder. To display videodisc images you need a Pioneer 2000 or 4000 series. I plan on adding support for others later.
Overview:
This testing program provides an extremely flexible and versatile environment for creating, administering, and evaluating tests. You can also create self-paced tutorial material, or even your own multimedia lessons and presentations. Test, tutorial or presentation material can be created with any word processor or other program that can save to a standard text file. You can include commands to use pictures (including color), QuickTime movies, videodisc segments, and sounds as part of your material. Scores can be saved to any on-line volume and printed out. Also get a printout of all questions missed.
Writing a Test
To begin, just load your favorite word processing program. Use the font Geneva 10, since this is the default font used in the testing program. You can write questions such as multiple choice, true-false, and fill-in-the-blank.
The left margin in your word processor should be at 1 inch, and the right margin at 7 1/2 inches. This matches the width of the testing program display for a test (6 1/2"), and is the standard default width for most word processors.
After the text of the question, on a separate line, write the word "answer", a comma, and the correct answer. Don't put a space after the comma. You may also put another comma and then the number of the question. The question number will be saved at the end of the test so you have a record of what questions were missed. It also helps you keep track of how many questions you have in the test. If you are writing a tutorial or presentation that you don't want to score or ask for a correct response then just write "answer" on a line all by itself, no commas, no correct answer, and no question number. This allows you great flexibility because you can include tutorial information as part of a test that is not counted as a question. (Load the sample test into your word processor to get a better idea of what a complete test looks like.) Here's an example of a test question:
Who was president in 1934?
A. Hoover
B. McKinley
C. Washington
D. Roosevelt
answer,d,1 (d is the correct answer and this is the first question.)
You may format the text of the question in any way you desire. Don't use tabs, because they are not saved with the text file. You may wish to press return at the end of your response lines and space over to retain your original formatting. Example:
A) The best way to get an A (simulated word wrap, no return at end of line)
is to work real hard.
A) The best way to get an A (return pressed at end of line and then
is to work real hard. (spaced over - don't use tab)
After the "answer" line you can include the following items:
A command to display a QuickTime movie:
movie,name of QuickTime movie
A command to display a picture:
picture, name of picture
A command to play a sound:
sound, name of sound
A command to play a videodisc segment:
videodisc, <startingFrame>, <endingFrame>
(just use same number for start and end to display a still picture)
A command to play an audio CD segment: (not implemented yet)
cdaudio,<start>,<finish>
QuickTime movies, pictures, and the sound stack should be stored as separate files in the same folder as the test. Sounds should be added to the Sound stack that comes with this program by using the audiopalette and microphone or other compatible recording hardware. See the next section of this documentation and your HyperCard documentation for more information on adding sounds to a stack. You can use any or all of these items for each question.
Here's an example of the previous question utilizing movies, pictures, and sounds:
Who was president in 1934?
A. Hoover
B. McKinley
C. Washington
D. Roosevelt
answer,d,1
movie,depression
picture,Washington D.C.
sound,fireside chat
After entering your question and any special lines for multimedia items, you need to put the letter "x" (lower-case only) on a line by itself. This tells the testing program that this is the end of a question.
Here's an example:
Who was president in 1934?
A. Hoover
B. McKinley
C. Washington
D. Roosevelt
answer,d,1
videodisc,16385,19240
x
Now you may enter the next question. Continue adding questions following this same easy format for the rest of the test. At the very end of the test, after the last question and letter "x", just put the word "end." on a line by itself. Don't forget the period after the word "end".
Testing Options
The first line of a test is for testing options including randomization, feedback, preview, and videodisc. For now, and if there are no options, just put the word "none" as the first line of the test. Here's a complete three-question test:
none
Who was president in 1934?
A. Hoover
B. McKinley
C. Washington
D. Roosevelt
answer,d,1
sound,fireside chat
x
Who was the first American in space?
A. Grissom
B. Young
C. Glenn
D. Shepard
answer,d,2
picture,map
x
What time is it when you're tired?
A. time for a drink
B. time for bed
answer,b,3
x
end.
Testing Options
Testing options go on the first line of the test. They include:
Feedback Option
An option for your test is whether you want feedback for questions or not. If you have feedback, the user is told if a question is correct or incorrect when it is answered. Without feedback, the user doesn't know how they're doing until the test is over. To turn off feedback for a test just write "nofeedback" on the very first line of the test. The default of showing feedback will be used if "nofeedback" (all lower case and no spaces) is not on the first line of a test.
Random Option
Another option for your test is whether you want questions randomized or not. This allows you the flexibility to create tutorial material that needs to be presented in a sequential manner. To turn off the random feature for a test just write "norandom" on the first line of the test. If you have other options for the first line, just separate them with a comma. The default of randomizing questions will be used if the word "norandom" (all lower case and no spaces) is not on the first line of a test. If you wanted no feedback and no random questions the first line of your test would be:
nofeedback,norandom
Preview Option
Another option for your test is whether you want students to be able to preview the questions or not. This allows them to look over questions and get familiar with a test before actually starting, similar to what they would do with a pencil and paper test. Movies, pictures, and sounds are not available in a preview session. To turn off the preview feature for a test just write "nopreview" on the first line of the test. If you have additional options for the test on the first line, just separate them with a comma. The default of allowing a choice to see a preview will be used if "nopreview" (all lower case and no spaces) is not on the first line of the test.
Videodisc Option
If you will be using a videodisc as part of your test put the word "videodisc" on the first line of the test. If you have other options for the test, separate them with a comma. If the testing program finds "videodisc" on the first line it will attemp to initialize a videodisc player when the test is loaded. A sample first line that includes videodisc:
norandom,nopreview,videodisc
Saving The Test
Now select "Save As..." from your File menu and save the test as a text file. Tests can be very large and are limited only by the limitations of HyperCard, a 30,000 character limit. This comes out to about 150 questions similar to the ones used in the examples above. If you have pictures or movies that will be a part of your test you need to create a new folder and put all the pictures and movies in it along with the test. If they're not in the same folder as the test the testing program won't be able to find them.
Protecting The Test
After you quit your word processing program click once on the test you created and select "Get Info" in the File menu. On the bottom of the info window click in the Locked box. This will prevent anyone from changing your test. Before you lock it, however, you should load it into the testing program to make sure there are no errors with the test.
Adding Sounds
To record new sounds for your stack you will need a copy of the Audio Help stack that comes with complete versions of HyperCard 2.0 and above, or I have a stack that makes creating sounds for tests/presentations very easy called the Audio Spelling Tester. If you send a disk along with your shareware fee, I will send it to you. It works with both the microphone and the MacRecorder. To include sounds in your test using the audiopalette begin by making a copy of the Sounds stack. Put this stack in the same folder as the test and name it Sounds. The name must be spelled correctly for the testing program to find it. Now load the sound stack by double-clicking on it. Under the "Edit" menu select "Audio...". This will bring up the audiopalette. (If you don't see "Audio..." in the Edit menu, then you probably don't have the Audio Help stack available.) Use the audiopalette to record and save sounds for your test. Give each sound a name that corresponds to the name you used on the sound line of your test. For instance if you have a question with the line:
sound,screaming baby
then name the sound you create "screaming baby" and save it. When done recording sounds Quit HyperCard. The testing program will use any stack called "Sounds" that is in the same folder as the test being taken.
Instructions for using the shareware program "Audio Spelling Tester" to create a word list are included with the program.
Adding Graphics
To use graphic files as part of your test you need to save them as a PICT file and put them in the same folder as the test. In your graphics program you will need to set the document size or image area before saving, otherwise your graphic will take up the entire screen. See the documentation for your particular graphic program for details. Then just include the appropriate line in your test to display the graphic, and use the name the file is saved under:
picture,world
to display a PICT file in the same folder as the test.
QuickTime
To use QuickTime movies as part of your test just put them in the same folder as the test and add the appropriate line to the test such as:
movie,blastoff
To create and edit QuickTime movies, see you computer and software manuals.
Using The Testing Program
To begin just double-click on the Online Tester stack. The first screen you see gives you two choices: Select a Test, or Quit. When you click on Select a Test you are presented with a standard file dialog box that lets you find the test you want to take. After the test is loaded you are asked to enter your name. This information will be saved, along with the score, name of test, and questions missed. After you enter your name you are given an option of previewing the test, or starting the test. Previewing a test allows you to browse through all questions to get familiar with the test before actually starting. This would be a good way to proofread a new test that you have written to make sure that it is formatted correctly. Starting a test takes you to the testing screen. This card displays all the questions as well as any movies, pictures, or sounds. Movies and pictures are displayed in movable "windoids" that allow you to move them around on the screen. Questions are randomized unless you selected "norandom".
To answer a question either click on the "answer question" button or hit return. Either action will bring up a dialog box into which you type your response. You may be told immediately whether the answer was correct or incorrect, depending on options set by the instructor. A counter on the bottom of the screen tells you what question you are on and how many questions are on the test.
Finishing a Test
When the test is over you are taken to the score screen. This screen displays your name, the name of the test, your score, and the number of the questions that were missed. There is a button on the card to print this information. On the bottom of the screen is a field in which you can enter a SAVE PATH. The save path is where all scores will be saved. This can be any mounted volume including file servers. If there is no path listed, scores will not be saved. When entering a save path be sure to use colons as part of the directory path. For instance:
File Server:Student Folder:Scores would save scores to the file server in the folder "scores" which is in the folder "students". If a test can't be saved to the directory path listed, the user is informed and given the option of trying again. If this happens, the instructor should check the path name and make sure that the volume to save on is online. To change the pathname follow the steps below.
Teacher Options:
To enter a new save path select "Teacher Options" under the "Go" menu. You will be asked for a password. The initial password is "mad dogs" This prevents students from changing the options. After you have entered the password correctly you can either enter a new password, a save path, or scramble/unscramble a test. Scrambling ensures test security. Since tests are saved as text files they are easy to load into any word processor. By scrambling a test no one will be able to read the file unless taking a test. The testing program automatically unscrambles a test before beginning, but the original file remains scrambled. A file must not be locked in the Finder if you want to scramble it. You should lock it, however, after it has been scrambled. Scores may be printed out, and users can view all questions that were missed. Missed questions may be printed out also. If you don't want scores or questions printed, just make sure the printer is off or not selected in the Chooser.
When you're done with a test you're returned to the opening screen where you can select a new test or quit.
To use the testing program on a network you will need to lock it in the finder by selecting get info. Make sure all options are set correctly because they cannot be changed once it is locked. This includes fonts and sizes for test display, save paths, etc.
You may freely distribute this ShareWare program as long as all accompanying files and documentation are included. I retain all rights to original code. Please support further development of this product and the ShareWare concept in general by sending in your ShareWare fee. Individual copies are $10, one building site licenses are $150, and district or company-wide site licenses are $300. Purchase orders are accepted. Please let me know your comments, ideas, and bug reports. I am available for evening or weekend workshops in the Chicagoland area. Customizations may be possible to save scores in a format readable by your grading program. Send all correspondence to: Jim Nauta, 1317 Haverhill Circle, Naperville, IL 60563.
America On-Line: NAUTA
To reach America On-Line from Applelink or other services that provide Internet routers send to:
