Assignment Importing Student Data into AccelTest If you have students in a database already, you may be able to import them into AccelTest. You can import students from three types of files: • Import from a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted file • Import from a Renaissance Learning LIS product (FMD) formatted file • Import from another AccelTest database (RBD) formatted file. 1. To import students, click on the Gradebook Assignment menu and click Import Students. 2.
Assignment 5. In the Import Students dialog box, navigate Windows to the drive and folder where your Student.FMD file is located. A typical Renaissance Learning installation places the STUDENT.FMD file in the following location on your local Hard Drive or Network Drive: ALSDATA: COMMON FILES: STUDENT.FMD. Click on STUDENT.FMD and then [Open] or [Select]. Macintosh Assignment 6. Confirm that the file and location are correct. Click [Next]. 7.
Assignment 8. The Add Students to Section dialog box opens. If you want to simply add the students without associating them with a class section, select the “Do not add the students into a section” option. If you have a class section you want to add the students to, select the “Add the students into an existing section” option, and click on the list to select the section. If you want to create a new section, select “Add the students into a new section” option.
Assignment Exporting Student and Grade Information as Text Follow these steps to export student and grade information as a text file. You must be in the Gradebook to export this information. The text file is tab-delimited so you can use it in a spreadsheet program. 1. If you are not already in the Gradebook, open it. From the Getting Started screen, click on [Gradebook]. 2. To export information for an assignment, click in the top of the column for the assignment.
Assignment Edit Section To edit a section (add or remove students) from the Gradebook screen, click on the All Sections drop-down menu and select the section you want to edit. Assignment In the Gradebook drop-down menu, click on Edit Section. In the Edit Section dialog box, if you are adding students, look in the Students to choose from column. If you are deleting students, look in the Students enrolled in column.
Assignment Delete Section To delete a section from the Gradebook screen, click on the All Sections drop-down menu and select the section you want to delete. (Students and their grades remain in the Gradebook after their section is deleted.) In the Gradebook drop-down menu, click on Delete Section. When asked if you want to delete the section, click [Yes].
Assignment Export Results You can export student and grade information as text. To Export Results, from the Gradebook screen, click on the Gradebook dropdown menu and click on Export Results. For detailed instructions, see“Exporting Student and Grade Information as Text” on page 39. Show Scores as Points Assignment If you have selected show scores as percentages, to change to show scores as points, from the Gradebook screen, click on the Gradebook drop-down menu and click on Show Scores as Points.
Assignment Reports You can create reports and print them in AccelTest. From the Reports drop-down menu, click on one of reports. You will be asked if you want to Preview or Print the report. You can select Preview to see what the report looks like and check its data contents before printing. Some reports can be customized to suit your preferences. See “Setting Reports Preferences” on page 56. Report Descriptions Assignment The table below lists the AccelTest reports.
Assignment Report Name Description Assignment Results Select this report from the Gradebook. This report can provide the student with immediate feedback on an assignment. Teacher-selected preferences determine if the report should print after the student scores an assignment and if only missed or all questions and/or correct answers are shown. The Assignment Results report has space for a teacher’s signature and comments.
Score Report Name Description Student Grade Select this report from the Gradebook. The student grade report shows: Term and semester progress. • year-end progress • provides space for attendance and comments • may serve as a report card for schools that do not have a standard report card • useful for transferring information to a standard school report card Preferences: Print/Preview Setting Student Record Select this report from the Gradebook.
Gradebook Report Details Answer Key This report shows the teacher the correct answers for an assignment, as well as other pertinent information. The answer key report produces an answer key for each variation. Each variation is identified by a letter code, after the Assignment ID number.
Gradebook Assignment The Assignment report lists all of the assignments in the Assignment tab. Assignment Results The Assignment Results report can provide the student with immediate feedback on an assignment. The teacher selects a preference to print or not print the report, and whether the printout shows only missed or all questions and/or correct answers. Space is provided for the teacher signature and comments.
Gradebook Gradebook Summary The Gradebook Summary Report lists each student and their grades for the term and/or semester. The display options showing on screen (On-screen points, percentages, section and subject) will be printed, for example. Group Assignment Gradebook The Group Assignment report displays the results for a specific assignment for a group of students.
Gradebook Program Information. The Program Information report shows specific program information, including: • How AccelTest is set up • Computer configuration and computer hardware information • User defined preferences Student Grade Select this report from the Gradebook. The student grade report: shows term and semester progress • shows year-end progress • has space for attendance and comments • can serve as a report card • useful for transferring information to a report card.
Gradebook Preferences Using the AccelTest preferences, you can adjust how AccelTest works for your school. The table below lists the preferences in AccelTest and tells you how to change them. The preferences are available in the Preferences menu.
Gradebook Preference What it does How to change it Categories Use this preference to create or 1. Click on the Preferences menu and change categories for assignments you select Categories. include in your Gradebook. 2. The Categories dialog box will open. • Create or edit categories • Edit an existing category by clicking the • Assign weight to each category box or Type in a new category in a blank • Decide whether or not to drop worst field.
Gradebook Preference What it does How to change it Password The password preference lets you 1. Click on the Preferences menu and change the password to maintain select Password. AccelTest security. You should change 2. The Change Password dialog box will the default admin password to a open. password of your choice after 3. Type in your current password in the AccelTest is installed. Current Password box, then press .
Gradebook Preference What it does How to change it Scanner Settings Use this preference to set the scanner 1. Click on the Preferences menu and port setting, and the scanner select Scanner Settings. sensitivity. 2. The Scanner Settings dialog box will open. Port Setting: First, make certain the Click to select scanner is installed according to the a different port. instructions in the AccelScan User’s Guide. Macintosh: • Start your computer and AccelTest.
Gradebook Gradebook 54 Preference What it does How to change it Reports The following reports have settings you can change: • Answer Key Print/Preview Setting preference • Assignment Analysis Print/Preview Setting preference Display Item Details • Assignment Print/Preview Setting preference Sort Order preference • Assignment Results Print/Preview Setting preference Questions to display Show correct answers Auto print after student score Batch print report • Free Response Grading Worksheet Print/Previ
Gradebook Preference What it does How to change it Assignment Creation This preference includes several settings that allow you to customize your assignments. The Assignment Creation preference includes: • Favorite Item Types • Default Fonts • Variations • Multiple Choice • True/False • Yes/No • Matching • Ranking • Modified True/False • Numeric Response • Fill in the Blank • Short Answer • Essay For more detailed information and instructions, see “Setting Assignment Creation Preferences” on page 58.
Gradebook Setting Reports Preferences You can change your reports preferences. To change your Report Preference settings, follow these steps. 1. Start AccelTest. From the Getting Started screen, click on the Preferences dropdown menu and go to Reports. 2. Click on the report you want to set preferences for. 3. In the Report Options Dialog Box, make your changes and click [OK]. Print Preview Gradebook One is Print/Preview setting, available for all reports.
Gradebook • Assigned - Sorts with unassigned first, followed by assigned. Sort Order for Group Assignment; see previous paragraph for Assignment tab Click on the Sort/Order drop-down list in the Report Options dialog box, and click on your preference: • Student Name - Sorts alphabetically by student last name. This is the default. • Points Earned - Sorts by points earned, lowest to highest. • % of Points Possible - Sorts by percent of points possible, lowest to highest.
Gradebook Setting Assignment Creation Preferences You have many options available when you create your assignments in AccelTest. These options range from what item types appear in the opening screen (Favorite Item Types) when you create your assignment, to the instructions, number of points and number of answer lines provided for an essay assignment. The instructions in steps 1-3 apply to every setting. Detailed descriptions for each setting, from Favorite Item Types to Essay, follow step 3. 1.
Gradebook • Default Fonts: Use the drop-down lists and buttons to select: the font, font size, and Bold, Italic, and Underline styles These apply to Body, Section Name, and Instruction in your assignments. These font settings effect both the displayed assignment and printed assignment. • Variations Variations allows you to set the number of variations in your printed student assignments. AccelTest has the ability to shuffle the items (questions) within the group, to make variations.
Gradebook • True/False: Enter or edit instructions for the true/false items in the Instruction box. You can also change the Default Points value for the assignment items. • Yes/No: Enter or edit instructions for the yes/no items in the Instruction box. You can also change the Default Points value for the assignment items. • Matching: Gradebook Enter or edit the instructions for your matching questions in the Instructions box. You can also change the Default Points value for the assignment items.
Gradebook • Ranking: Enter/edit the instructions for your ranking questions in the Instructions box. You can also change the Default Points value for the assignment items. The default Distractors setting is A to D, which gives 4 choices (correct answer plus 3 distractors) per Ranking item. You can select as few as one distractor (A) and as many as 9 (A-I). Click on the Layout drop-down list to select Side by Side, or 1, 2 or 3 columns. The Items Per Group drop-down list, allows selection of 1 to 20 items.
Gradebook • Fill in the Blank: Enter or edit instructions for the fill in the blank items in the Instruction box. You can also change the Default Points value for the assignment items. You can set the number of blank lines per answer. • Short Answer: Enter or edit instructions for the short answer items in the Instruction box. You can also change the Default Points value for the assignment items. You can set the number of blank lines per answer.
Gradebook Using Assignments Using Quick Assignment in AccelTest The Quick Assignment feature lets you quickly create multiple choice assignments (tests, homework, etc.) in AccelTest. 1. • You will first enter title, subject, total points and number of items. • You can then enter your question and answer content. To use Quick Assignment, start AccelTest and click on the Assignment tab in the Getting Started screen.
Gradebook 3. The Assignment Editor Wizard (Assistant in Mac) opens. Enter your content for assignment questions and answers using the Wizard/Assistant. See “How to Use the Assignment Editor” on page 74. 4. After you have entered your assignment content, run a spelling check. See “Spelling Check” on page 80. You should also validate your assignment. See “Validate Assignment” on page 81. 5. From the File drop-down menu, click Save. 6.
Gradebook Free Response Items (Questions) Abbreviation Essay E Fill in the Blank F Modified True/False MTF Short Answer SA Numeric Response NR When you create your assignment, you specify the item type and number, as well as the points per question. AccelTest displays a running total of the points for each assignment as you go through the list and select the types of items you want. Replace with 4 tabs panel 1.
Gradebook The maximum number of item choices for Matching or Ranking is 9 per group. If the number of items needed is greater than 9, divide the number by 9 to determine the number of groups, rounded up to the nearest whole number. For example, for 15 items, when you divide by 9, you will get 1.66. This means you need 1 group + 1, rounded up to 2 groups. Under Number of Items, enter numbers for Multiple Choice, Matching, Numeric Response, etc., if applicable.
Gradebook On an AccelTest scan card, write the name of your Assignment on the Name line. Next, on the same AccelTest card, mark the ANSWERS to the questions by filling in the bubbles with the correct answers. For example, the answer to question 1 is “B” and 2 is “A” and so forth. Fill in the appropriate bubbles for all of your questions. Follow steps 1 and 3 through 7 to use the hand entered card. 1. Start AccelTest. In the Getting Started screen, click on Assignment tab.
Reports 3. If you did fill out the bubbles on a scan card, click on the [Scan Form] button at the top. Then, go to step 4. 3. The Scan Answer Key screen appears. Reports 4. Insert the AccelTest scan card you have filled in, with the arrow pointing toward the AccelScan. 5. In a moment, the answers that you filled in on your card (or typed on your computer) will show up on the screen.
Reports If you see errors on the form, correct them. Simply click on the question number needing correction and then click on the incorrect answer, to unselect it. The bubble will become white again. Next click on the bubble for the correct answer to select it (darken the circle). When the card is correct, click [Done]. 6. When you are asked to save changes, click [Yes]. You now have an answer key for grading this assignment.
Reports Teacher Instructions for Editing a Score Key Before editing a score key you must make certain it is not assigned to any students. Check the Assigned column; Yes indicates it is assigned to one or more students. If No is in the Assigned column, it is not assigned and can be edited. If you want to edit an assignment (and the score key for an assignment) you created in the Assignment tab, go to the Assignment tab and edit the assignment. See “How to Use the Assignment Editor” on page 74.
Reports When your score key appears you can start editing. If you want to add an item, click on [Add Items]. In the Add Items dialog box, find Assisted Response if you are adding assisted response items. Type in the item numbers in Items to Add box. Then type in the point value in the Point Value box. If you are adding free response items, under Free Response, type in the Items to Add and Point Value there as well. Click on [OK] when finished.
Reports To correct an incorrect answer for an item, simply click on the item number needing correction and then click on the incorrect answer to unselect it. The bubble will become white again. Next click on the bubble for the correct answer to select it. To set points, click on [Set Points]. For Assisted Response items, type the point value in the Point Value box. For Free Response items, type the point value in the Point Value box. Click on [OK] when finished.
Reports 1. To create a Points Only Assignment, from the Assignment tab click on [New Points Only]. 2. In the New Points Only dialog box, type your assignment title in the Title box. 3. Select your subject in the Subject drop-down menu, and then enter the points in the Points box. 4. Click [OK]. 5. Your Points Only Assignment will need to be added to the Gradebook. Go to the Gradebook and add this points only assignment. You can enter student scores in the Gradebook.
Reports How to Use the Assignment Editor The Assignment Editor allows you to input the content of your assignment items (questions). To start entering or editing your item content, click on the first item you want to edit and click [Edit]. Note: Once you have created your assignments, you can use the Assignment Editor to edit and update them, with class and subject content changes. Assignments already given to students cannot be edited, but you can edit a copy.
Preferences Edit Item - Use the Edit Item button to modify, add and delete information in your assignment. Simply click at the location where you want to make your change. In the area where you click, lines of your assignment content will be highlighted in yellow. You can highlight the type of assignment and instructions, or any individual, numbered item. Enter & Edit Text: When you click on Edit Item, you will go to an edit screen to enter or edit text that is highlighted.
Preferences Correct Answer at A: Notice as you type in your assignment items, that by default, you always type your correct answer at A. This makes assignment data entry easy. • AccelTest can shuffle your item answers so that the correct answer will not always be A on the assignment the students receive. • The Shuffle drop-down menu allows you to select, for each individual item, None (no shuffle), a-b shuffle, and a-c shuffle (with default 4 answer choices). All (shuffle all) is the default setting.
Preferences Delete Item - If you want to delete an item, click on the item. The selected item will be highlighted. Click on the Delete Item button. This will delete the item, and reduce the item count by one. The Points Possible will decrease by the deleted item’s point value. Properties - Click on the Properties button. The Title/Subject tab allows you to enter/edit your title and subject. Type title information in the Title box. Use the Subject drop-down menu to select the subject.
Preferences The Variations tab allows you to set the number of variations in your printed student assignments. • Variations allows you to set the number of variations in your printed student assignments. AccelTest has the ability to shuffle the items (questions) within the group, to make variations. If you have six items, and “Shuffle Items” is checked, the items appear in a different order on each variation. • If you want to disable shuffle, click on the check mark in the box next to Shuffle Items.
Preferences and double-click on the item. 3. When the Item opens, click on the location where you want to place your graphic. Then, click the [Import Graphic] button. 4. Navigate to the drive and folder where your graphics file is located. Double-click on the folder. (In Windows computers, you may need to click on the “Files of type” drop-down menu and select the type of graphic file you are importing.
Preferences Click on the file name. Click [Open]. The image will be imported. Use the scroll bar to go to the bottom of the image if needed. Click on the red square in the corner of the image and drag to resize the image. To delete the image, click on it and press the key. If you click and drag the red square at the bottom or side, you will stretch/shrink the image vertically or horizontally, respectively. Click [Done] when finished.
Preferences Click on the [Options] button in the Spell Check dialog box or Options in the Assignments drop-down menu to open the Spell Check Options dialog box. To enable an option, click on the check box next to it. The options include: • Suggest word phonetically • Suggest split words • Ignore words in all caps • Ignore words with mixed digits Click [OK] after you change options.
Preferences Click [OK] when the message appears. If any problems are found, you will see a message stating that there were problems found and a list, by item, of the problems. Click close and correct the problems listed. Printing a Single Copy of an Assignment You may want to check how your assignment looks when it is printed. To print a copy of an assignment, from the Assignment tab, click on the assignment Title. Preferences Then, click on the File drop-down menu and click on Print.
Preferences Importing and Exporting AccelTest Assignments Importing Assignments Follow these steps to import your AccelTest assignments that were created on another computer using AccelTest. (To export assignment information, see “Exporting Assignments” on page 84.) 1. From the Assignment tab, in the Assignments drop-down menu, click on Import. 2. In the dialog box that appears, select the location of your assignment data you are going to import. Then, click [Open].
Preferences Exporting Assignments Follow these steps to export your AccelTest assignments. You can use the export file as a backup, or you can use it to import your assignment into AccelTest at another computer. (To import assignment information, see “Importing Assignments” on page 83.) 1. From the Assignment tab, click on the assignment you want to export, then in the Assignments drop-down menu, click on Export. 2. In the dialog box that appears, select a location for your exported assignment data.
Preferences Deleting Assignments You can delete assignments you will not use again. If the assignment has been added to the Gradebook, you must remove it from the Gradebook before you can delete it from the Assignment tab. See “Removing/Clearing Assignments in the Gradebook” on page 24. To delete the assignment, go to the Assignment tab. Click on the assignment you want to delete. Click Delete in the Assignments drop-down menu. You will be asked if you are sure you want to delete the assignment.
Preferences Using Sessions A session may be an in-class lesson, homework exercize or a quiz or test. Sessions are either teacherpaced or student-paced. The Sessions function consists of: • Review Panel The Review Panel is used for teacher-paced sessions. The user can review how students responded to each item in a session. • Responder Panel The Responder panel uses three different display modes. • The user can select a Detailed Session Mode.
Preferences Pacing Sessions Sessions are either teacher paced or student paced. • Teacher paced sessions.... • Student paced sessions....
Using Libraries The Libraries capability allows you to manage your installed libraries and install content. There are two kinds of content you can install: • Import existing Print Engine book files • Install book files from Renaissance Learning Importing Print Engine Book Files There are.... Installing Renaissance Learning Book Files To install book files from Renaissance Learning....
Appendix: AccelTest’s Grade Calculations Determining Grades By default, grades are determined in AccelTest from the total points earned. The points earned are divided by the points possible on each assignment to determine a grade. Term, Semester and Final Grades Term grades are derived from the assignments. Semester grades are computed by averaging term grades. Final grades for the year are computed using semester or trimester grades if there is no final exam.
Grade Calculations Points Possible AccelTest uses points earned divided by points possible to calculate grades. The student’s points earned is divided by the points possible. This percentage determines a letter grade, based upon the current letter grade percents. Category Weights You can set AccelTest to have certain categories of assignments contribute a fixed amount to each student’s grade. To do this, you should use category weights to compute grades.
Introduction and Contents Introduction & Contents Using Category Weights: When you check Assignment is extra credit, the assignment effects grades differently when you use category weights, regardless of whether the assignment category is Homework, Test, or Quiz. (To select Assignment is extra credit, see Enter Gradebook Details in step 2 under “Add Assignments to Gradebook and Assign to Students” on page 21.
Introduction and Contents Introduction & Contents Without Extra Credit assignments, this student would have a grade of 77.5% for the term. Note that the Extra Credit category is not included when the category weights are totaled, making the assignments truly extra credit. Note: If Drop Worst Score is checked, then an Extra Credit assignment that happens to be the lowest score will not contribute to the grade.
Index student, 36 Category preference, 9, 51 Category Weights, 90 Change Password, 52 Check Spelling, 80 Classroom Responder Students using, 17 Clearing Assignments, 24 A AccelTest Password, 5 Add Item, 74 Add new students to section, 34 Answer Key report, 46 Assign to Students, 23 Assignment 3-digit number, 69 Assignment Analysis report, 46 Assignment Bank, 15 using, 63 Assignment Bank report, 47 Assignment Category, 15 Assignment Creation, 3 setting preferences, 58 Assignment Creation Options, 58 Defaul
Index grading worksheet, 30 Free Response Grading Worksheet report, 47 Free Response Item, 15, 64 Free Response Items scoring, 30 N New Assignment creating, 64 New Section, 39 New Students, 34 giving assignments to, 24 Number of Items new assignment, 66 G Give Assignments, 21 Gradebook, 20 using, 21 Gradebook Details, 22 Gradebook Functionality, 4 Gradebook report, 48 Grading Scale Options, 4 Grading Scale preference, 9 Grading Scales setting, 12 Graphics Files importing, 78 Group Assignment report, 48
Index setting up, 10 School Year Information entering, 9 Score, 16 Score Items dialog box, 28 Score Key, 16 editing by teacher, 70 Section, 9, 39 Section drop-down, 45 Select Assignment Variation dialog box, 27 Semester Grade, 13 Serial Number, 8 Show Entire School Year, 42 Show Scores as Percentages, 42 Show Scores as Points, 42 Show Term, 42 Shuffle drop-down menu, 76 enable and disable, 78 Sort Order assignment bank, 56 group assignment, 57 Starting AccelTest, 7 Student delete, 35 edit information, 35 S
Index Index 96
