Logging and visualization of learner behaviour in Web-based E-testing

Abstract

In this paper we present a system for the logging and the visualization of the learners' behavior during the execution of structured tests based on Multiple Choice question type. The system is composed of two main components: a logging framework which, instantiated in e-testing systems, produces an XML formatted log of learners' interactions with the system during tests and a stand-alone application which visualizes charts containing a chronological review of the tests. By analyzing the charts obtained through an experiment led in our department, we have defined several typical strategies used by the learners to execute tests. The effectiveness of these strategies has been inferred by correlating the strategies with the obtained scores. Further useful applications of our system allow us to detect correlations among questions and cheating attempts by the learners. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.