QuestionMark Perception is a specialised assessment system which can create assessments for delivery over the Web. eLearning and Info Skills Development manages this system for the University of Edinburgh. This page describes the Perception model of assessment construction and delivery. For more information on the advantages and disadvantages of web-based delivery see the Methods of Delivery page.
To see a demonstration of Perception, see the
Perception question styles demonstration.
To access the demo, Name: demo
Note: You will need to have Quicktime player installed on your computer to access parts of the demo.
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A Perception exam requires a question database and an assessment database. These databases are created in a Windows based application called Authoring Manager.
Within the Authoring Manager you can use a Wisard for writing questions, although you can also use graphical or text-based alternatives. Although you can create exams in the form of word files that are then converted by hand into Question databases, departments using Perception to create more complex exams should consider investing in a license for the authoring software.
After the Question Database has been written an assessment file is created using an application called Assessment Manager. The Assessment file controls how an exam is presented, which questions are chosen, how they are sorted, what template they appear in, and what sort of instructions, feedback, and time limits are used in the exam. An assessment can link to only one Question Database, but you can create any number of different assessments drawing on that database.
Once the assessment has been created it is published to the Perception Server by eLearning staff. On the server a Schedule is then created. The Schedule controls when a given assessment is available online, and which students can take it. A Schedule can be seen as an instance of an assessment. At this stage the list of students for the exam is uploaded to the server,a Schedule created, and a password is assigned for them. In general a Schedule will be available for one day only, but this does not have to be the case.
Once the Schedule has been created the exam is available to students. The students follow a URL to the exam in a web browser, and enter the password set with the Schedule. They are then presented with the exam, fill it in using their browser, and submit it. Once the exam has been submitted the student's marks are recorded on the server, and may also presented to the student if the examiner desires.
After the exam is over the exam marks are available on the server to authorised staff. The Report Manager, available through a web interface, can analyse the marks and the questions in various ways, or the raw marks can be exported and made available for staff to process in tools such as Excel.