CAT News, Events and Articles Archive

2012

• Form Change for Course Evaluations
  Since the fall of 2011, the Florida State University uses SPOT II (Student Perception of Teaching II) for official course evaluations, along with eSUSSAI for online course evaluations. SPOT is no longer used and is not be available for any other purpose.
  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 645-8361 or at cat@campus.fsu.edu.
  
  
  
• Testing Service Request for 2012 Summer Semester
  Please fill out the request form and send it back to us before Apr 3, 2012.
  If you are interested in our testing service after the deadline, please contact us at testing@campus.fsu.edu
  Service Request Form (FSU instructors only)
  
  
• Spring Break Hours
  We will close at 5:00pm during Spring Break, March 5th to March 9th.

2011

• Form Change for Course Evaluations
  Starting this fall, the Florida State University will only use SPOT II (Student Perception of Teaching II) for official course evaluations, along with eSUSSAI for online course evaluations. SPOT will no longer be used and will not be available for any other purpose. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 645-8361 or at cat@campus.fsu.edu.
  
  
• Testing Service Request for 2012 Spring Semester
  Please fill out the request form and send it back to us before Nov 26, 2011.
  Service Request Form (FSU instructors only)
  
  
• Course Evaluation Schedule
  The Spring 2012 schedule includes request dates and deadlines for both online and paper-based evaluations.
  
  

Fall 2010

• E-Instruction (PRS) Clickers Discontinued for Fall 2010
  The Personal Response System (PRS) clickers and software will no longer be supported beginning fall 2010. The decision to discontinue campus support for PRS was based on continued difficulties in implementation and changes in technology. Instructors who plan to use audience response systems in their classes should order i>clicker responders. If more advanced clicker features are required, the TurningPoint system is recommended. See Supported Clicker Systems.


• Important Scanning Reminders
  Professors or authorized runner must bring receipt or photo ID when picking up their processed scan forms. See Scanning: Best Practices for helpful hints when creating an answer key. For a complete description and list of current scanning reports, view the Analysis & Reporting section. Online sample reports are also now available.


• Important Testing Reminders
  There are no walk-in exams during finals week. Students needing to take FSU Departmental or Course Exams with our center must check in with their FSU ID, no exceptions are allowed. All testers should limit their personal belongings within the testing center, as these items will not be allowed inside UCC suite 1100 and we have limited lockers available for storage of these items.

Spring 2010

• Library Services
  Course exam drop-off and pick-up services are provided in the Scholar Commons at Strozier Library. This service is made available to all FSU faculty and staff. Expect a 24-hour turnaround service and an automated e-mail message to the professor or designated representative upon return to the library. Bring a photo ID or the lower portion of the library receipt for pick-up. Questions? Contact Nancy Guidry at 644-3019. See more on our library services.
  
  
• Mission Statement
  The mission of Assessment and Testing is to provide testing, scanning, and evaluation services to the Florida State University and larger community. These services consist of: proctoring various computer and paper based exams; coordinating proctoring of FSU distance learning students; providing support for audience response systems; providing generic mark-sense forms for academic use; scanning and reporting; coordinating and processing both paper and online FSU academic course evaluations; and providing consulting and support services for a variety of evaluation and assessment needs.
  
  
• New Proctored Exam Policies
  Many instructors use proctored testing to assess a student's progress in online courses. Students in online courses must fulfill their responsibilities in arranging and taking a proctored exam. Review this information regarding the procedures you must complete before you can take your proctored exams.
  
  

Fall 2009

• Playing It Safe at a Distance: Proctored Distance Learning Exams
  With a steadily increasing number of online courses, CAT has been making changes to the way high-stakes exams are proctored at a distance balancing the students' convenience with a need for exam security and integrity.

Spring 2009

• Online Course Evaluations @ FSU
  FSU is pilot testing online course evaluations in classroom based courses. Instead of spending time during class filling in the paper SPOT forms, students of participating departments were able to conveniently access online forms to provide their feedback about the course and the instructor.
  
  
• CLAST Repealed
  The Florida legislature repealed the use of the CLAST as a state mandated assessment for higher education. Students should consult with their academic advisor about acceptable alternatives to fulfill graduation requirements until a new exam is released to replace the CLAST.
  
  
• Mark-Sense Scanning Tips
  Before dropping off exam answer sheets for scanning, please make sure that each group is clearly marked and bundled, and includes the correct answer key. Please check your answer keys to ensure all marks are correct and completed with No. 2 pencil. Please DO NOT USE white-out or tape to correct marking errors as these clog the scanner's read-head. Note that any changes to the answer key must be made by the instructor. To ensure integrity and security, CAT staff are not authorized to modify exam sheets. For questions, please contact our scanning operations supervisor at 644-3019.
  
  
• Online Course Evaluation Response Monitoring Tools
  Starting Summer 2009, instructors and designated department representatives can monitor the response rates to all online course evaluations during the last two weeks of the semester when the window for submitting online course evaluations is open.
  

Fall 2008

• Ensuring Test Integrity and Security
  Test development, purpose, time limits, availability, security, resources and more from Jean-Marc Wise, Assessment & Testing Director, and Assistant Director of Academic and Professional and Program Services. All teaching faculty at Florida State University should review these important considerations for testing.
• Test Reporting, Scoring, Security & Evaluation
  An overview of services provided by FSU's Assessment and Testing from center director Jean-Marc Wise.
• Issues in Testing & Grading Practices
  Don't insult your students by only requiring them to memorize. Teach them how to think. FSU's Department of Psychology instructor Dr. Jeanne O'Kon explains the huge responsibility of grading students and how it determines very important things about their lives such as majors and future placement. She encourages instructors to let students know their expectations, to be fair and consistent with a clear syllabus and objectives that provide structure and clarity for the class. Test items must be aligned with instructional objectives presented to the student along with the syllabus. She encourages the use of Bloom's Taxonomy for creating test questions that incite different levels of critical thinking. The goal is to measure achievement, not to trick your students or make them guess about what you are looking for.


• Proctored Exams for Distance-Learning Courses
  Distance-learning students, instructors and proctors are encouraged to read these articles to fully understand their expected role, and how our office can assist in giving, taking, or proctoring exams. See also our list of Approved Proctors by State. (292 KB)

Summer 2008

• Already know it? Why sit in class?
  The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is designed to measure knowledge usually achieved in introductory college-level subjects. Read more about CLEP tests available at FSU, how to get credit for tests taken, what to bring on exam day, costs, and forms of payment accepted from the Test Center.

Spring 2008

• Testing in Higher Education
  Faculty should consider these elements when selecting tests for both face-to-face and online courses and when setting the conditions for administering them.

Spring 2007

• Improving Student Perceptions of Your Course
  Teaching behaviors that communicate to students an instructor’s respect and concern for student learning are presented in this enhanced podcast (requires iTunes) featuring Dr. Bonnie Armstrong, director of Assessment and Testing.


• New Tests Now Available
  The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for International Students is now offered as an internet-based test on specified dates and times. More information and registration
  Also now available is the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) offered on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. with the last seating at 1:30. More information and registration


• Data Collection for Dissertation and Thesis
  Doctoral and masters students who are planning on collecting data via surveys for their dissertations and theses are eligible for our free scanning services - all you have to pay for are the scan forms. We can process 100 answer forms in a matter of minutes and offer a variety of useful reports, including item analysis.


• Testing and Assessment Issues
  An overview of assessments, with a focus on tests or examinations typically given in paper/pencil format or on the computer.

Fall 2006

• Students' Perceptions Matter: Use Course Evaluations to Improve Teaching
  Students use evaluation results to help decide which course sections to enroll in. Instructors use evaluation results to identify areas in need of improvement.

For more information call: (850) 644-3017.