Dear Sally/Myra and any other interested parties,
We have been using City and Guilds through a system called GOLA, for a few
months now. Whilst it pains me to say, the system has been very good.
There are portfolio elements to be completed before certification in
Keyskills, but down sides are few if any!
The students need to be registered with C&G, and also entered for a test.
This is now a combined operation carried out through their online site
called the 'Walled Garden'.
The GOLA system is then later accessed, tests are downloaded and stored.
Times are arranged in an IT room, students brought across in a group, and
tests are unlocked. The students are given an access password and complete
the test.
Timing is automatic within the system. You will need to request extra time
for students as this needs to be pre-programmed.
Normal exam conditions are maintained but students cannot really cheat by
copying because tests are random. Your neighbour therefore will have a
different set of questions.
Interim results are obtainable immediately and can be printed out and given
to student.
Invoices are sent within a few days with the result spreadsheets and
individual results slips.
These are levels 1 and 2 only, level 3 still being paper based because
answers are not multiple choice.
You may find the following websites useful, the first is catglobal which you
access to take the tests and the latter is the GOLA Q and A page.
http://www.catglobal.com/CATGlobal8/about/default.asp
http://www.city-and-guilds.co.uk/servlet/page?_pageid=697&_dad=cg2&_schema=P
ORTAL30&_type=site&_fsiteid=433&_fid=32043&_fnavbarid=1&_fnavbarsiteid=433&_
fedit=0&_fmode=2&_fdisplaymode=1&_fcalledfrom=1&_fdisplayurl=
One thing I would say is that this can add a large amount to your workload.
You can end up having to make numerous small group entries where you used to
do a larger group, e.g. an AS group of 250 or 25 tutor groups of 10!
You then need to arrange 25 rooms, 25 invigilators, maybe 25 IT support,
tell 25 groups of students and so on........
I currently share the roles and responsibilities with our MIS manager who
is/was also a teacher. This works OK to a degree, but as her workload
increases from other areas, I feel sure she will want to off-load the
Keyskills tasks.
It is all manageable but be aware of the possible impact.
I have not gone into great detail, largely because I don't deal with it all,
but I hope this helps. (Sally, you are close enough to come over, by all
means give me a ring. Just not today please, I have 430 doing Keyskills this
afternoon!)
Regards,
Ken Southward
Examinations Officer
Tel: 01925 633591 x207
Fax: 01925 413887
e'mail: [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Myra [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 March 2005 09:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ON-LINE TESTING
Very topical subject. We would also be interested in your responses.
Myra Taylor
Central Admissions Manager
Askham Bryan College
[log in to unmask]
01904 772212
-----Original Message-----
From: The FE Exams Network mailing list on behalf of Graham, Sally
Sent: Mon 14/03/2005 16:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: ON-LINE TESTING
Hi everyone
Stockport College is looking at introducing an on-line test centre
at the College to cope with all our on-line testing needs.
I would be really interested to hear from anyone who currently uses
EDEXCEL or City & Guilds for key and basic skills on-line testing so I can
be aware of the pitfalls from Day One!
If you could email me the key good and bad points for the awarding
body you use I can then use this as evidence for decision making
Any help would be much appreciated and then perhaps I could visit a
centre to see how it works
Thanks
Mrs Sally Graham
Exams/Awards Manager
Stockport College
0161 958 3312 direct dial telephone number
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