Method and system for knowledge assessment and learning incorporating feedbacks

#The present invention relates to knowledge assessment and learning and more particularly, to microprocessor and networked based testing and learning systems.

#Traditional multiple choice testing techniques to assess the extent of a person's knowledge in a subject matter include varying numbers of possible choices that are selectable by one-dimensional, or right/wrong (RW) answers. A typical multiple choice test might include questions with three possible answers, where generally one of such answers can be eliminated by the test subject as incorrect as a matter of first impression. This gives rise to a significant probability that a guess on the remaining answers could result in a correct response. Under this situation, a successful guess would mask the true extent or the state of knowledge of the test subject, as to whether he or she is informed (i.e., confident with a correct response), misinformed (i.e., confident in the response, which response, however, is not correct) or lacking information (i.e., having no information). Accordingly, the traditional multiple choice one-dimensional testing technique is highly ineffectual as a means to measure the true extent of knowledge of the test subject. Despite this significant drawback, the traditional one-dimensional, multiple choice testing techniques are widely used by information-intensive and information-dependent organizations such as banking, insurance, utility companies, educational institutions and governmental agencies.

#In response to the foregoing drawback, an information referenced testing technique was developed and pioneered by Dr. James Bruno of the University of California at Los Angeles. Information referenced testing (“IRT”) techniques extract the test subject's information response and confidence associated with it, undertake to reduce guessing, and effect a scoring profile that is resistant to the affects of guessing. IRT test queries are generally represented in a two-dimensional format to incorporate two key components of recognition and confidence as part of the test questions or queries in a multiple choice test. The test example below illustrates the general principle of the IRT technique.

#FIG. 1 is a conceptual design diagram showing the various participants to and interaction of the knowledge and misinformation testing system according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of an exemplary computer network architecture that supports the method and system of the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a logical block diagram of an embodiment of a testing and reporting structure according to the present invention;

#The present invention provides a method and system for conducting knowledge assessment and learning. The invention incorporates the use of information reference testing techniques deployable on a micro-processor-based or networked communication client-server system, which extracts knowledge-based and confidence-based information from a test subject. The assessment incorporates non-one-dimensional techniques.

#The invention produces a knowledge profile, which includes formative and summative evaluation for the system user and identifies various knowledge quality levels. Based on such information, the system correlates the knowledge profile to a database of learning materials, which is communicated to the system user or test subject for review and/or reeducation of the substantive response.

#The invention interactively accommodates various aspects of test administration and learning by a system user including storage of information and learning materials, test or query creation, editing, scoring, reporting and learning support without regard to the specific nature of the information on which the test subject is tested.