ClassMarker

ClassMarker - located here at: http://www.classmarker.com/- is a web-based application that allows teachers to create tests and quizzes for their students to take online. Through a very easy-to-use form-based interface, teachers can create any type of question in multiple choice, true-or-false, short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and essay format. Once questions are created and tests are "assigned" to the your classes and/or groups, teachers using ClassMarker will be provided with a simple link that they can then share with their students. For example, if you click here to see the sample test that I created with my own ClassMarker account, you'll notice a slick, fun user-interface and a cool new method for test taking.

Both the back-end administration software and the resulting front-end tests produced by ClassMarker are very user-friendly and appealing. Details were not over-looked as teachers will have a wide variety of options to choose from in terms of functionality, such as the ability to password protect exams, to set pass marks to notify students upon test completion of their success, and even limit the users who take the exams. I can see ClassMarker as being very useful as a homework aid or even an in-class activity (assuming that every student had a computer in front of them). However, if you perceive ClassMarker to be an actual application used to administer graded tests, I see a major flaw . . .

The main problem with this application is that the functionality that makes ClassMarker truly useful and great is only available in the ClassMarker Professional version - a pay service. Without the pay version, you will not be able to save the results of the tests that are taken by your students. So, basically, the only way you will be able to ascertain tests scores and judge student performance is if the student takes the test right in front of you. A subscription to the ClassMarker Professional is inexpensive; it is only about $30.00 per year, and you have to option to pay per use (test). However, we all know that the monetary expense is not as unappealing as the actual inconvenience of having pay for another online service.