Abstract:

The present document presents the use of the platform PoliformaT of the Universitat Politècnica de València for online assessments as part of the evaluation of the subject.
The experience has been carried out in the subject Theory of Industrial Constructions and Structures. This course belongs to the degree of Technical Industrial Engineer in Mechanical Engineering, which is offered in the School of Design Engineering in the Universitat Politècnica de València.
From the 2008-2009 academic year, the online assessment is introduced as an evaluation system. In this first year, a statistical analysis of the time spent by the student to solve each of the tests was carried out. From this information the tests for the following courses were designed. The percentage that this evaluation system should have in the overall evaluation of the subject was also analyzed. This percentage was set between 15% and 25%.
Each of the tests was carried at the end of each part in which the subject is divided. The test is available for two days and has a time limit to be complete. It is accessible from any computer connected to Internet.
The test consists of multiple-choice and free-response questions. In both cases the test structure is elaborated randomly from a large database. The test result is known by the students once the test is no longer accessible.
This evaluation system allows almost immediate feedback, which promotes the students learning process. It also enhances the student's autonomous activities concerning the subject. The online assessment does not interfere with the development of other subjects, such as when specific exams are planned.
The results obtained during the last three years show that the online assessment, well-planned and structured, is a good evaluation system.

Keywords:

Online assessment, autonomous activities, learning process, feedback.