Related Experiment Videos
Using software to direct test construction and improve test performance
Richard A Hart1, Ann D Sprengel, Cheryl Kieffer
1Nine-Patch Software, Columbia, MO, USA.
Nurse Educator
|December 9, 2004
Summary
A new test analysis software helps nursing faculty improve their tests for small classes. This freeware provides easy-to-understand performance reports, aiding instruction and student assessment.
Area of Science:
- Educational Technology
- Nursing Education
- Assessment Software
Background:
- Faculty-constructed nursing tests in small classes often require improvement.
- Existing assessment tools may lack practical, interpretable outputs.
- Analyzing the interplay between instruction, students, and test items is crucial for effective assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a practical, efficient test analysis software program.
- To create software that produces easily interpretable test performance printouts.
- To provide nursing faculty with a freeware tool for test modification.
Main Methods:
- Development of a test analysis software program over five years.
- Incorporation of variables related to instruction, students, and test items.
- Design focused on generating user-friendly test performance profiles.
Main Results:
- The software is successfully used to modify faculty-constructed nursing tests.
- The program produces printouts requiring minimal statistical interpretation.
- The software is available as freeware for individual nursing faculty.
Conclusions:
- The developed software offers a practical solution for enhancing nursing test quality in small classes.
- The freeware availability democratizes access to advanced test analysis tools for educators.
- This tool supports data-driven improvements in nursing education assessment.