Welcome Welcome Welcome About AccelTest Thank you for selecting AccelTest, our new test creation, scoring, and gradebook software. Now you can instantly create your own quizzes, tests, and assignments for any subject, score them immediately, and have them automatically entered into an electronic gradebook! In addition, you can easily manage all of your existing assignments, quizzes, and tests. There are two major optional accessories that you can use to take full advantage of its capabilities.
Welcome AccelScan Welcome Students fill out a scan card as they complete an assessment, then use the optional AccelScan to score (scan in) the answers at the teacher’s computer.
Welcome AccelTest helps you, the classroom teacher: Quickly create your own customized quizzes, tests, and assignments for any subject. • Save time! Score the work of an entire class in just minutes! • Easily manage all of your existing assignments and tests. • Dramatically reduce the time you spend recording grades by hand. • Increase your preparation and teaching time. • Immediately identify student problem areas and intervene through the use of detailed, easyto-use reports.
Installing AccelTest Assignment Scoring To optimize scoring, you must have either the Classroom Response System or an AccelScan scanner or ideally, both, on the classroom computer where AccelTest is installed. Installing AccelTest The Classroom Response System allows student answers to be instantly recorded as they are enterd on the Responder. Assignment scanning in AccelTest allows students to record their answers on an AccelTest scan card and run it through the AccelScan scanner to score it.
Installing AccelTest How to use this Manual and Online Help This manual will help you become familiar with your AccelTest software. You can get help while using AccelTest by clicking on Help. AccelTest operates much the same on both Windows and Macintosh computers. When differences occur, we provide information for both operating systems. Note that in Windows computers, Wizards are used, and Macintosh computers use Assistants. Both Windows and Macintosh screens are shown in this manual.
Installing AccelTest Installing AccelTest Installing AccelTest Where to Find the System Requirements Before you install AccelTest software, make sure your computer meets the following minimum hardware and software requirements. For the latest system requirements, visit www.renlearn.com/ requirements. If you have questions, email us at answers@renlearn.com.
Installing AccelTest Starting AccelTest Follow these steps to start AccelTest, if it is not already open. 1. Windows computers: Click the [Start] button and select Programs, AccelTest, and AccelTest. Macintosh computers: If it is not already open on your desktop, open the AccelTest folder on your hard drive. Then, double-click the AccelTest icon to start the program. If one of two messages appear, you will need to either a. upgrade or b. install QuickTime.
Installing AccelTest If a window opens with a message indicating you do not have a default printer, you will not be able to create AccelTest Assignments or print or preview reports until you get access to a printer and set it as your default printer. After reading the message, click the [OK] button. Installing AccelTest 2. The AccelTest Registration dialog box opens. Type the Serial Number in the boxes.
Installing AccelTest To-Do List for Teachers Starting AccelTest Once you’ve started AccelTest, you can start using it to create, import, modify, score and manage assignments, as well as print or preview reports. However, before you start using AccelTest, you should complete the following steps so that you can take full advantage of AccelTest’s features. 1. Set up your school year information so that AccelTest can include it in your assignments automatically.
Starting Acceltest Setting up Your School Year 1. Click on the Preferences drop-down menu, and click on School Year. The School Year Wizard (Assistant on Macintosh computers) starts. In the Welcome screen click [Next]. 2. In the School Year dialog box, type in your Start Date and End Date. Starting AccelTest (Hint: If you want to see a calendar, click on the calendar icons next to the Start and End date boxes.
Starting AccelTest Editing the Subjects List 1. Click on the Preferences drop-down menu, and click on Subjects. 2. In the Subjects dialog box, click on [Add] to add a subject. Starting AccelTest In the Add Subject dialog box, type the name of your subject. Click [OK]. 3. If you need to edit the name of a subject, click on the subject and then click [Edit]. Make your change and click [OK].
Starting Acceltest Setting Category Values 1. Click on the Preferences drop-down menu, and click on Categories. 2. The Categories dialog box opens. Starting AccelTest If you need to edit an existing category, click in the box, and type your changes. You can type in a new category in a blank field, if needed. Click on the Drop Worst Score box, where applicable. In the Calculate Grades Using section, select Category Weights or leave Total Points Earned selected.
Starting AccelTest 2. The Grading Scale dialog box opens showing the Standard grading scale. If you are not using a standard grading scale, choose another option from the Grading Scale drop-down list. If you are using a standard grading scale, you can determine the minimum percentage needed for each letter grade by clicking the box and changing the number. Note: The number you type is the minimum percent necessary to obtain that letter grade.
Starting Acceltest Starting AccelTest Two Ways to use AccelTest First Example: Second Example: I need to create new assignments, such as quizzes, tests, exams, and homework, that I want to be able to quickly score and grade. I have existing assignments, such as quizzes, tests, exams, and homework, that I want to be able to quickly score and grade. Step 1: Step 1: Create assignments using the Assignment Editor. See “Creating Questions for a New Assignment” on page 64.
Starting AccelTest Getting to Know AccelTest The main AccelTest screen has four tabs: Gradebook, Assignments, Libraries, and Sessions. You can click on a tab to go to the AccelTest function indicated on the button. Assignment Clicking on the Assignment tab starts the following process to create and assign tests, quizzes and homework, etc. You create assignments to give to your students. You determine the item (question) type, number, and point value.
Starting Acceltest Score Before you can score any scan cards in AccelTest, you must install and connect the AccelScan scanner. See the AccelTest and Renaissance Classroom Response System Installation Guide. You must create an assignment or create a score key for an existing assignment. To create an assignment, see “Creating Questions for a New Assignment” on page 64. To create a score key, see “Creating New Score Key for Existing Assignment” on page 66.
Starting AccelTest Student instructions for using the Classroom Responder AccelTest software and the Classroom Receiver and Classroom Responder must both be installed and confiured before teachers and students can start using the Classroom Responder. For installation and set up instructions, see AccelTest and Renaissance Classroom Response System Installation Instructions. 1. 2. 3. Starting AccelTest 4. 5.
Starting AccelTest Starting Acceltest 6. 7. 8.
Starting AccelTest Student Instructions for Using AccelScan 1.Be sure that you filled in your three-digit Student ID number and Assignment ID number (and letter, if used) at the top of the scan card. Fill in a bubble underneath each number (or letter). Fill in the Student ID numbers. Fill in the bubbles under each digit. Fill in the Assignment ID numbers (and letter, if used). Fill in the bubbles under each digit (or letter, if used). Starting AccelTest 2.Check over your AccelScan scan card.
Starting Acceltest Gradebook The Gradebook displays assignments, showing student, section, subject and grade information for the teacher to view, edit, and manage. Replace with 4 tabs panel Starting AccelTest The Assignment Title, Assignment ID, Category, Due Date and Points Possible are shown for each assignment. The Gradebook is where assignments created in the Assignment tab are added so they can be assigned to class sections and groups of students.
Starting AccelTest Using Gradebook Frequently used Gradebook Features Clicking on the [Gradebook] button opens the Gradebook. The teacher can add (or import) students in Gradebook. Replace with 4 tabs panel Starting AccelTest The Gradebook allows the teacher to use drop-down menus to switch between different sections of students or different subjects. The Gradebook contains information on assignment title, id, category, due date, and points possible.
Assignment 2. In the Select Assignment screen, click on the Select Assignment drop-down menu and select your subject if you want to limit the list of assignment titles by subject. Click on the assignment title you are adding/assigning. Click [Next]. In the Enter Gradebook Details dialog box, enter a short title for your assignment in the Short Title box. Assignment Click on the term that applies in the Term drop-down list, and the category in the Category drop-down list.
Assignment 4. In the Assign to Students dialog box, click on “All Students” if all students are required to do the assignment. To assign to the students in a section, click on “Students in a section.” Then click on the section name in the drop-down list. To assign to individual students, click on “Select specific students.” 5. In the Select Students dialog box, look in “Students to choose from” to find your student(s).
Assignment 2. Next, from the Gradebook screen, click on the Sections drop-down menu and then click on the section the new student is in. 3. In the Subject drop-down menu, click on the subject. 4. Under Students, find the name of the student you are adding. In the assignment column, under your assignment, click once in the row with the name of the new student you are giving the assignment to. Then click on [Assign].
Assignment Printing Assignments for Students From the Gradebook, you can print a master for each assignment variation, or print individual assignments for each of your students. From the Gradebook, click on the top of the assignment column, then click on [Print]. In the Print Assignment dialog box: click on [Master Copies] to print a master of each test variation. Use this option if you would like to duplicate your own copies of the assignment to distribute.
Assignment 2. An expanded screen will open for the selected assignment. 3. Notice that there is a column for each item on your assignment. The points per item and an abbreviation for the item type are at the top of each column. For an explanation of the item abbreviations see “Creating Questions for a New Assignment” on page 64. 4. The assignment Variation for each student (whose card has been scanned) is shown. You can select the Variation view in the Variation dropdown menu. Assignment 5.
Assignment Scoring Assignment Items in the Gradebook You can score and edit individual item points (for an assignment) in the Gradebook. Note: Normally the easiest way to score student’s assignments is to scan the cards with the AccelScan. If your students have not used AccelScan to score their own scan cards, you can scan your students cards yourself. See “Using AccelScan from the Gradebook” on page 32.
Assignment 4. The Score Items dialog box will open. Look at the Item entry, “1 (8) of 10.” In the example shown, this describes the variation; your original item (8) was shuffled and is currently item 1 for William Abbot and other students who received the A variation. The correct answer for item 1, is “D” as shown at Correct Answer. Look at the answer marked by William for item 1 on this assignment, and then click on the corresponding letter next to Student Answer. Click [Next].
Assignment 2. An expanded screen will open for the selected assignment. 3. Find the student whose score you want to edit. Find the variation under the Variations column for that student. 4. Click on the student’s variation in the Variation drop-down menu. 5. The window that opens lists the students with the selected variation. Find your student and then double-click on the item you want to edit. 6. The Score Items dialog box will open. Assignment Look at the Item entry, “4 (5) of 10.
Assignment Teacher Instructions for Scoring Student Assignments Scoring Free Response Items For assignments with only assisted response items, students can score their own assignments using AccelScan. AccelTest will record the grades in the Gradebook. See “Student Instructions for Using AccelScan” on page 19. The teacher can use also AccelScan to score student scan cards. If assignments contain one or more free response items, only the assisted response items are scored and recorded.
Assignment 3. Record your scores for the students in the Free Response Grading Worksheet. If your assignment has variations, you will have a separate worksheet for each variation. 4. Return to your assignment in the Gradebook. For assignments that have been assigned, completed and scored, the points scored per item for each student appears in the columns.
Assignment Using AccelScan from the Gradebook 1. Be sure that students filled in their three-digit Student ID number and Assignment ID number (and letter, if used) at the top of the scan card. Fill in a bubble underneath each number (or letter). Fill in the Student ID numbers. Fill in the bubbles under each digit. Fill in the Assignment ID numbers (and letter, if used). Fill in the bubbles under each digit (or letter, if used). 2. Check over the students AccelScan scan card.
Assignment 8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 for each student scan card. 9. When you have finished, all the student scores will be recorded in the assignment’s column in the Gradebook. 10. Students who have not yet completed the assignment will show “Waiting” in the row with their name. When their cards are scanned, the score replaces “Waiting.” Assignment Click on Mean to switch to Median scores in the last row. Click Median to go back to Mean.
Assignment Gradebook Drop-down Menu From AccelTest’s Getting Started window, click the [Gradebook] button. The Gradebook dropdown menu provides access to many key Gradebook functions. When you start using AccelTest for the first time, you will need to do this in Gradebook: • First, you must create your class sections. See“New Section” on page 39. • Next, enter your students. See the New Students section below.
Assignment Edit Student 1. To edit information for a student, from the Gradebook screen, first click on the students name. Then click on Edit Student in the Gradebook drop-down menu. 2. You can edit the student’s name, in the Edit Student dialog box Name tab. To add the student to a section or delete from a section, simply click on the Sections tab. Assignment In the Sections tab dialog box, under Sections to choose from, click on the section you want to add the student to.
