Attending: Marshall, Peterson, Smith, Jozefowicz, McElroy
1. Optical Scanning Vendor Update (Marshall/Peterson)
- Four vendors were examined: Teleform, Remark, Question Mark, and Scantron. Team members were asked to complete a questionnaire/evaluation sheet for their comments about each product.
- Teleform seemed to have very limited functionality.
- Question Mark is much more web-based and required additional software that might make it too cumbersome for implementation at IUP.
- Remark was preferred over the other three because of the customization options and software flexibility. Remark software works with a host of different hardware products, though they do not sell hardware.
- Scantron actually repackages Remark software under their own name, but seems to place some of their own proprietary functionalities, and all of their software only works with their hardware.
- With Remark, we would have to purchase new scanning equipment from a different vendor, though new scanning equipment must be purchased no matter what vendor is chosen.
- Smith asked the team to look at the option with vendors to allow department scanner/copiers to create test sheets as a possible option. Not every department may currently have a printer with these options, but that flexibility in the future may be desirable.
2. LESC Feedback
- We discussed security issueswith returning test scoring sheets and output to instructors. This is more of an administrative issue, rather than a software/hardware issue, but the team is looking into optimizing these processes, too. Chief concerns are making sure only authorized people continue to pick up exam sheets while streamlining the process currently in place.
- Jozefowicz outlined some specific suggestions of additional questions to add to the survey, including having a broader range of answers (i.e., "sometimes," "never," "always," rather than simple "yes/no" answers).
- The team agreed that some more survey questions should be added to address issues raised by the LESC, including faculty preferences for receiving their reports, weighted questions, question analyses, reduction of paper waste (customizable scanning forms for quizzes, exams, etc.). We also agreed to add an introductory paragraph on the survey to explain exactly why we were conducting the survey and the need for new scanning equipment/software.
3. Survey Questions
- We agreed to edit/add to the current questions to reflect suggestions above.
For January Meeting
- Marshall will send a written synopsis of the vendor reviews.
- All members will submit assigned survey questions for their particular concerns, for a better survey.