- What are the benefits of online learning & online testing?
- Where do these online tests originate?
- What happens when the Internet connection is lost?
- How can I time an online test?
- Can a test taker 'fake' the time used?
- What if a test taker legitimately had a problem?
- What if the scores need to be kept?
- How far in advance do I need to notify TFI that I want to test?
- How do I save a file as a CSV?
- If a question is wrong, when can I remove it from an assessment?
- What can I do if an item is wrong on an assessment?
- How are passwords created?
- When are participants assigned assessments?
- What happens if we lose our Internet connection during a timed test?
- When can I call TFI for help?
- How can I tell what score a participant earned?
- How does the Competition Results report rank participants?
- What are filters?
- How is a filter created?
- Can I give someone permission to enroll participants but not see scores?
- When can I access results/scores?
- How do I get training on using the system?
- Where can I go for answers to other questions?
- What is an organization?
- How do I add more assessments to my organization?
- What information can be distributed other than scores?
- Can assessment be timed?
- How do I add more seats to my organization?
- What is a seat?
- What is an organization?
- Can I have more than one organization?
- Is there a fee for having multiple organizations?
- How many participants can be in one organization?
- When does a seat expire?
- Are seats transferable?
- Can I turn off the Learning Program?
- Can I turn off the assessments?
- What learning materials are included in the CAT1 program?
- Where are the supplemental materials located?
- What platforms are covered by the CAT1 program?
- Is there a fee to use more than one platform?
- Can I tell how much time a participant spent on a performance measure?
- Can I tell if a participant used the Learning Program?
- What is the light bulb icon?
- What is the check mark icon?
- Can I change my administrative password?
- Are there designated testing windows?
- What are the computer requirements for taking the CBE?
- Can the CBE be taken anywhere?
- What do I do if there are more students than passwords?
- What do I do if a student accidentally submits the exam and would like to continue testing?
- What kind of scratch paper can be used?
- What happens if there is a power outage?
- What happens if a single student must leave the testing center for an emergency?
- What happens if all students must leave the testing center for an emergency?
- What do I do if a student has not exited from the assessment or the testing system and the student has left the room?
- Where and how do I send the completed forms?
- What do I do if a cell phone rings or if an electronic device is heard?
- How do I unlock a student's assessment?
- What do I do with a student's exam if the student has been evicted from the testing center?
- What do I do if a student leaves the testing center and then remembers that he or she did not submit the exam for evaluation/did not click the "Done" button?
- What if a student must use the bathroom during testing?
- Can a student have Kleenex/facial tissue at the computer?
- How will a proctor handle it if a person simply wants to write down his or her test scores on a piece of scratch paper rather than getting a printed copy?
- Is there a fee for the issuance of new passwords as described in sections of the FAQs?
Online Learning & Online Testing: Common Questions
What are the benefits of online learning & online testing?Flexibility and convenience are the biggest advantages of online learning. Students can meet in the traditional classroom setting or work and learn from any Internet-enabled computer. TFI's online testing products are flexible enough to handle almost any requirements you may want to set for your online test. Features you can use in your online test include Timers, Individual or Group Locks, Automatic Grading, Easy Grade Modification, Long-Term Data Storage, and many others. Using online learning and online testing is a great solution to the ever building stacks of paper cluttering desks and file cabinets. A new form of test-taking gives rise to many questions. Below are some common questions or concerns about online testing along with TFI's solution.
Where do these online tests originate?There are many different types of customers using our online testing system. TFI has specific online learning programs with accompanying online tests already designed for students to take. It is extremely easy to create custom online tests from paper tests you already use. Many types of test questions are available to use in your own custom online test. The test you create will be available to you for as long as you need. That means you can reuse the same online test every year. You are completely free to test any subject using test questions from any source you choose, provided you have permission from the test author.
What happens when the Internet connection is lost?Our online testing system automatically saves all progress as a test is being taken. The student will not lose information for any question that has been answered. The student may log in when the connection has been re-established and begin right where they left off.
How can I time an online test?Our online testing system can time any online test. The timer will start as soon as a test participant begins his or her online test. This means that no one is penalized for any technical problems they may have when starting. If you want the entire group to finish together regardless of when they started, TFI's online testing system can accommodate that as well.
Can a test taker 'fake' the time used?E-SESS, our electronic assessment system, was designed to maintain the integrity of your online test. All progress is monitored by our servers and is not affected by changes a test taker may make to his or her own computer. Even if the connection is intentionally broken, our online testing system continues to time his or her progress.
What if a test taker legitimately had a problem?There are cases where timed online testing sessions are disrupted and the participant needs to have time added to their test. In these cases, the participant is not penalized. The proctor has the ability to simply add time to any participant's test when the need arises.
What if the scores need to be kept?The person administrating the test has access to many reports and can print the results of the online test. It is also possible for TFI to maintain digital records of your test for extended periods of time so that you may view trends in the outcomes of your online testing session.
E-SESS Admin
How far in advance do I need to notify TFI that I want to test?Your testing window was designated in your contract. TFI does not need further notice of your testing dates.
How do I save a file as a CSV?If you are using Excel, click the "save as type" drop-down arrow and select CSV (Comma delimited). Then save the file.
If a question is wrong, when can I remove it from an assessment?An incorrect item can be removed from an assessment at any time. If participants have already taken the assessment, use the Assessment - Remove Item form.
What can I do if an item is wrong on an assessment?The item can be deleted from the assessment or it can be removed from the scoring of the assessment. When an item is removed from the scoring of an assessment, participants answer the item but do not receive a score or penalty for any response.
How are passwords created?You may determine passwords for your participants. If you do not, E-SESS will auto-generate a unique password for each student. An auto-generated password is a combination of letters and numbers.
When are participants assigned assessments?Assessments can be assigned during the participant import process. Assessments can also be assigned at any time using the Update menu options.
What happens if we lose our Internet connection during a timed test?Record the time the connection was lost and the duration. When the connection resumes, the time can be adjusted with the Assessment - Adjust Time update.
When can I call TFI for help?TFI is located in the central time zone. The customer service line is answered 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The offices are closed on holidays and from December 24 through January 1.
How can I tell what score a participant earned?Several reports list participant scores. The Assessment Scores report and the Participant Information report are the best report for determining scores.
How does the Competition Results report rank participants?The Competition Results report ranks participants first on the number of correct responses, then on the number of correct responses on the last 10 items of the assessment, then on the amount of time taken to complete the assessment, and then finally provides a breakdown of the responses sets of 10 items from the end of the assessment to the beginning.
What are filters?Filters are tools used to restrict the data included in a form, report, or update.
How is a filter created?To create a filter, create a custom demographic.
Can I give someone permission to enroll participants but not see scores?Yes. E-SESS enables the addition of administrators with any combination of abilities. You can easily create an administrator who can only enroll participants.
When can I access results/scores?Results/scores are available as soon as a participant submits the assessment for grading/review.
How do I get training on using the system?Call TFI at 866-277-5061 or e-mail cs@techfluency.org to set up a training date/time.
Where can I go for answers to other questions?The administrator guide and participant guide for E-SESS are included in the Help menu. The customer service staff at TFI will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Simply call TFI at 866-277-5061 or e-mail cs@techfluency.org.
How do I add more assessments to my organization?If you have a paper assessment you want to add to your organization, first you must add the items and then build the assessment. For detailed assistance, reference the administrator guide, call TFI at 866-277-5061, or e-mail customer service at cs@techfluency.org.
What is an organization?An organization is a group in E-SESS. It can be a school, business, student organization, and so forth.
What information can be distributed other than scores?If the assessment items are correlated to standard in the E-SESS system, a standards summary report for the organization, any demographic within the organization, or the individual participant can be distributed. This report indicates how well the participants performed on the selected standard set. Assessment statistics can also be distributed.
Can assessment be timed?Yes. Assessments can be timed or not timed. If an assessment is timed, you can look up how much time a participant used to complete the assessment.
CAT1 Admin
How do I add more seats to my organization?Use the Request Seats form to send an e-mail request to TFI. You can also TFI at 866-277-5061.
What is a seat?A seat is enrollment for one participant in the CAT1 program.
What is an organization?An organization is a group in the CAT1 program. It can be a school, business, student organization, and so forth. It can also be a class number for a particular semester or term.
Can I have more than one organization?Yes, you may have more than one organization.
Is there a fee for having multiple organizations?The only fees associated with CAT1 are the seat fees. There is no additional fee for multiple organizations.
How many participants can be in one organization?There is no limit to the number of participants in an organization. The volume of participants is contingent upon the number of paid seats per organization.
When does a seat expire?A seat expires 365 days from the initial log in of the participant using that seat.
Are seats transferable?No, once a participant has logged into the program, that seat is no longer transferable. If a seat has never been used, the participant ID can be deleted, thus freeing up the seat for a new participant.
Can I turn off the Learning Program?Yes. The Learning Program can be locked, or turned off, by using the Updates menu.
Can I turn off the assessments?Yes. The assessment component can be locked, or turned off, by using the Updates menu.
What learning materials are included in the CAT1 program?The CAT1 program includes a detailed Learning Program that includes step-by-step directions for completing more than 100 correlated activities. These directions also include graphics and screen shots to facilitate the learning environment. The CAT1 program also includes supplemental activities, which are worksheets and answer keys.
Where are the supplemental materials located?The supplemental learning activities are available under the miscellaneous menu. Only the administrator has access to the answer keys. Supplemental materials are only available for PC platforms.
What platforms are covered by the CAT1 program?The CAT1 assessment and Learning Program cover Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Mac OS X. CAT1 Vista is in development.
Is there a fee to use more than one platform?No. A participant or organization can use any or all of the available platforms for no additional fee.
Can I tell how much time a participant spent on a performance measure?Each participant has a performance report that documents the amount of time spent on a performance measure. This feature is only available for the Windows XP platform.
Can I tell if a participant used the Learning Program?Each participant has a performance report that documents if the participant accessed the Learning Program.
What is the light bulb icon?The light bulb icon is a link to the corresponding Learning Program unit.
What is the check mark icon?The check mark icon is a link to the actual performance measure.
Can I change my administrative password?Yes, you may change your password at anytime.
CBE
Are there designated testing windows?There are no designated testing windows. The CBE may be taken at any time. However, there are designated reporting windows as described in the Technical Manual. Student scores may be obtained at any time.
What are the computer requirements for taking the CBE?
Computer/technical requirements are as follows:
Operating System. The testing program will work on Pentium II 450 or higher (or equivalent).
Thus, institutions should administer the CBE™ (Beta version)
on the fastest machines available with the best Internet connection.
Browser. The testing program is best viewed using Internet Explorer 7.0+. It is also
supported in Firefox 2.0+ or Safari 4+ on the PC and Firefox 3.0+ or Safari 4+ on the Mac.
Display Properties. The testing program is best viewed at 1024 x 768 display resolution or higher. It will work at 800 x 600.
Bandwidth. The bandwidth recommendation is a T1 line for every 150 simultaneous users.
The T1 may be able to serve additional students; however,
student populations greater than 150 per site have not been tested and confirmed by TFI.
The CBE must be taken in a proctored environment. The environment must also include computers with Internet access.
What do I do if there are more students than passwords?Verify with the institution that the correct number of students are in the testing center. The institution has purchased a set quantity of seats; the CBE™ Administrator provided one password per seat purchased. The institution may request additional seats.
What do I do if a student accidentally submits the exam and would like to continue testing?Immediately contact the CBE™ Administrator at 866-277-5061. The CBE™ Administrator or technical support at TFI can unlock the student's exam. The student will need to login to the exam again, using the same password. The testing system will return the student to the first unanswered item on the CBE™.
What kind of scratch paper can be used?Scratch paper must be blank paper. It may be notebook paper or white copy paper.
What happens if there is a power outage?Record the time the power outage occurred. If the power resumes promptly, add the duration of the outage to the exam administration period. Have the students login to the exam. The testing system will return the students to the first unanswered item on the CBE™. If the power outage lasts longer than one hour, the exam should be rescheduled. If the power outage is expected to be prolonged, you have the option of rescheduling the exam. Contact the CBE™ Administrator if this is necessary. New passwords will be issued, and students will be required to complete the assessment from the beginning.
What happens if a single student must leave the testing center for an emergency?If the student has time, he or she should close the assessment and the Program Menu windows. If the student must leave immediately, close the student's assessment and Program Menu windows. Do not click the "Done" button to submit the exam. Report the incident on the Irregularity Form. If the institution and the student would like to continue the exam, contact the CBE™ Administrator. A new password will be issued, and the student will be required to complete the assessment from the beginning.
What happens if all students must leave the testing center for an emergency?If the testing center is evacuated for any length of time, report the incident on the Irregularity Form. As soon as you are able to re-enter the testing center, all assessment and Program Menu windows must be immediately closed. The institution should reschedule the CBE™. New passwords will be issued, and students will be required to complete the assessment from the beginning.
What do I do if a student has not exited from the assessment or the testing system and the student has left the room?Close the student's assessment and Program Menu windows. Do not click the "Done" button to submit the exam. The student may not be readmitted to the testing center during the CBE™ administration. Report the incident on the Irregularity Form.
Where and how do I send the completed forms?After you make copies of all the completed forms [Irregularity Report, Data Collection Form, Comment Form, Proctor Certification Form, GPA Consent Form, and Consent & Information Form] send the originals to the CBE™ Administrator via FedEx or US Postal Service with tracking number service.
What do I do if a cell phone rings or if an electronic device is heard?Ascertain the owner/possessor of the phone or device. Ask the student to close immediately the assessment window and the Program Menu window. Collect all scratch paper and the User ID card. Then, escort the student to the door of the testing center. Per the signed Consent & Information Form, students understand that this is cause for eviction from the testing center. Exceptions: If you need to call for technical support, the phone in the testing center or your cell phone may ring and be answered.
How do I unlock a student's assessment?Immediately contact the CBE™ Administrator at 866-277-5061. The CBE™ Administrator or technical support at TFI can unlock the student's exam. The student will need to login to the exam again, using the same password. The testing system will return the student to the first unanswered item on the CBE™.
What do I do with a student's exam if the student has been evicted from the testing center?Close the student's assessment and Program Menu windows. Do not click the "Done" button to submit the exam. Report the incident on the Irregularity Form.
What do I do if a student leaves the testing center and then remembers that he or she did not submit the exam for evaluation/did not click the "Done" button?Students are not permitted to re-enter the testing center. Record the student's name and contact the CBE™ Administrator. The CBE™ Administrator can submit the student's exam for evaluation. The student's individual assessment results will be sent to the institution.
What if a student must use the bathroom during testing?Once testing has begun, no one may leave the testing center and be re-admitted. If the student must leave, he or she should close the assessment and the Program Menu windows. If the student must leave immediately, the proctor should close the assessment and Program Menu windows for the student. Report the incident on the Irregularity Form. If the institution and the student would like to continue the exam, contact the CBE™ Administrator. A new password will be issued, and the student will be required to complete the assessment from the beginning.
Can a student have Kleenex/facial tissue at the computer?If necessary, students may have facial tissue at the computer workstation. You should provide any facial tissue used in the testing center.
How will a proctor handle it if a person simply wants to write down his or her test scores on a piece of scratch paper rather than getting a printed copy?If a student does not want to wait for the testing session to conclude in order to obtain printed results, collect all scratch paper and the User ID card from the student. Then, give the student a fresh, clean piece of scratch paper and observe the student writing his or her score on the new piece of paper. Verify that the only thing written on the scratch paper is the assessment results for the student. The student may not record any information that is not on the assessment results page. Report the incident on the Irregularity Form.
Is there a fee for the issuance of new passwords as described in sections of the FAQs?Each instance that requires the issuance of new passwords will be reviewed by the CBE™ Administrator. Fees will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If the institution and students are not at fault (such as in the event of an emergency), the issuance of passwords will not, in most cases, result in additional fees.
