Using Pools and Random Blocks to Increase Test Security
On September 21, 2020, Mohsin Khan, the E-Learning Unit Supervisor, conducted a webinar under the title "Using Bb Random Block for Online Midterm Exam/Quizzes". The webinar, overseen by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Yahya Asiri, was designed to equip faculty members with effective tools to minimize academic misconduct during online exams and quizzes, hence establishing a robust system to ensure the authenticity of students' work and assignments.
Recognizing the critical role of teaching staff in the assessment and development activities of the Bachelor of Arts in English Program (BAEP), Khan opened the webinar by extending a warm welcome to the attendees, expressing his gratitude for their participation. He reassured the attendees that a recording of the session would be made available shortly for those who wished to review it or could not attend live.
Khan introduced the attendees to two crucial concepts: Pools and Random Blocks. Pools, as he explained, function as repositories of questions that act as a test bank. He highlighted the flexibility provided by Pools, wherein each question can be edited or deleted, and default point values can be altered as required. It is crucial to remember, Khan noted, that any modifications made in the Pool reflect wherever the question is used.
Shifting the focus to Random Blocks, Khan described them as unique assessments generated from Pools, ensuring that each student receives a distinct set of exam questions. He emphasized that Random Blocks could be compiled from one or multiple Pools of questions, underlining the need for a diverse array of questions in each Pool, without any similarities. Khan stressed the importance of adjusting the number of questions displayed in each Random Block and monitoring the assigned points per question and the diversity of questions extracted from the Pool.
The Bachelor of Arts in English Program at the Faculty of Languages and Translation remains steadfast in its commitment to continually enhance the professional skills and competencies of faculty members, keeping pace with the advancements of the modern era. For those interested in revisiting this informative session, a recording of it can be accessed here.
