Hello instructor, You are receiving this email because you have, either now or at one time in the past, used LCC's computerized testing system. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of some of the changes that will occur when the Social Science reoccupies the 4th floor of the Center Building after the remodel this September, Fall 2003 Term. First of all, there will be a new, integrated testing facility. BOTH computerized testing AND traditional (pencil and paper) testing will be housed in the same area. There will be only ONE lab coordinator for BOTH types of testing. The main responsibility of this coordinator will be to serve the students. Of course, the coordinator will work closely with instructors, but some of the job functions will change. For example, just as in traditional testing, the instructor provides the lab coordinator with exam copies, instructions to take the exam, answer keys (if applicable), and times/dates/exam deadlines, SO WILL ALSO BE THE CASE for online testing. Using LCC's TestPilot software system, faculty have control over every aspect of their tests, other than the actual proctoring of tests, which will, of course, be the job of the lab coordinator. In this regard, faculty are responsible for providing the lab coordinator with the times/dates/exam deadlines of their various exams to be given over the course of the term. Just as advanced notice is given when utilizing traditional tests, accuracy and timeliness will be of the essence for the lab coordinator and students taking computerized exams. In traditional exams, planning must include a few days for the copying/duplication of tests. The same amount of notice is needed for the lab coordinator and lab staff to serve computerized tests. Having said this, it will be the primary responsibility of the instructor to use the TestPilot software to provide and/or manage: * A proofread, correctly keyed test * A list of student "L" numbers, names, (and email addresses, if applicable) to be taken from the new LCC Banner administrative software (implemented for the first time in Summer Term 2003) * The correct start, stop, and recall dates for each test * Properly "showing" (or hiding) the correct tests on the instructor index page * Naming the tests clearly so that staff can easily help students with access questions Faculty will also be expected to provide an explanation correct testing procedures to their students, during face-to-face class time, such as when they may start taking exams and when test deadlines are. Some of these functions may have been provided for you in the past. Faculty who continue to use online testing will be responsible for these tasks themselves. Wayne Nichols is no longer an employee of the Social Science Department. He is now in the Instructional Computing Department, and as such, is responsible for service to students, not faculty directly, as the core of his job duties. Thank you for letting me take this opportunity to make you aware of both the physical and operational changes that will be coming to faculty along with the 4th floor Bond remodel project. Please address all questions regarding computerized testing to Joe Escobar at escobarj@lanecc.edu or by calling x5581. I'll be happy to help. Joe In September, 2004, the Center Building 4th floor remodel will be complete. The original 7 station testing room that used to be on the 4th floor, using older, unreliable computers, will be transformed into a new, state-of-the-art computer testing facility, for LCC faculty to use. New features include: * a nearly 35 station lab, quadrupling original capacity * furniture with privacy/security panels to physically/visually separate test takers * new 17" lcd screen computers with adjustable screens * scrolling mice, for easier test-taking operation * individual headsets for tests which involve audio content * staffing to operate the facility and photo ID check student testers The testing software has also been completely changed and upgraded. TestPilot (www.clearlearning.com - for those who'd like take a look at the online manual), has gone through several versions and has been put through extensive testing with actual LCC instructors and students. As of the beginning of the Spring 2003 term, LCC now has a production testing system, with a state-of-the-art server, unparalleled ease-of-use and functionality, and the only true secure testing environment available to all LCC instructors. Best of all, this system puts all testing control in the hands of the individual instructor, using only an internet web browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer. Although the testing facility has been primarily used by the Social Science Department, the funding to equip the facility was achieved with the intent to collaborate with other interested faculty from other departments. If you are interested in this opportunity, then take some time, before the start of the Fall 2003 term, to: * Contact Joe Escobar (escobarj@lanecc.edu or call x5581) to get an account * Learn and experiment with the software (from ANY internet connected computer, at home or at school !!!) * Begin to re-format your existing exam files in MSWord (or others) for easy import in to TestPilot * Fully implement computer testing with your students (and instructions to students in your Fall syllabi) starting THIS FALL TERM Thank you for your time, Joe Escobar P.S.