Proposal of a Conceptual Framework for an efficient and effective Test Management System

• Main Author: Lim , Tick Meng
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: LC5800 Distance education; LG Individual institutions (Asia. Africa)
• Online Access: http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/920/1/library-document-920.pdf; http://pcfpapers.colfinder.org/handle/5678/222?show=full; http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/920/

A test management system is programmed to store and manage test items as well as to automate the generation of tests for the purpose of assessments. An item bank is a repository of test items with associated data, and it is the core component of a test management system. From administrative point of view, the primary focus in the design of a test management system is system efficiency, both in terms of effort and cost. Educators however are more concerned with the validity and reliability of tests in measuring students’ performance. Thus, the design and development of a quality item banking system should take both views into consideration. Other issues in the item banking design include test objectivity, appropriateness of item distribution, fairness and practicality. In this paper, the author identifies the essential elements required of an effective and efficient item banking system. Some of the important factors to be considered in designing the system include: the application of Bloom’s Taxonomy in item categorization, the role of test specification table in item selection, the capability of the system in filtering poor quality items for review and enhancement. Based on the analysis, a conceptual framework for the design of the item banking system is proposed. The system aims towards minimizing the manual process of the test paper preparation whilst ensuring the quality of the test paper generated. The author provides a detailed description of the framework as well the process involved in test items generation and test items enhancement. (Abstract by author)