After testing with students in Barcelona, the automated mark
scheme has been adjusted to focus a little more on processes. This makes the
test more difficult, but stops high marks being generated simply by referring to
a range of appropriate landforms. Nine possible key ideas have been scripted for
this question, with over 60 alternative wording possibilities also providing
(but not duplicating) a mark.
The nine key ideas that gain a mark each: "an
accurate location","two plates collide","continental
and oceanic crust","subduction zone","relevant
landforms","batholith","plate
density","rising magma","heat
produced by friction".
There is a maximum of 6 marks for this question, so
over-scoring is possible. Key phrases are taken from Waugh's Integrated Approach
text.
Alternative wording ('altWords') for the above 9 possible
answers gain (but do not duplicate) marks as shown in the following script
extract:
var alertWords = new Array()
alertWords[0]="two plates collide";
alertWords[1]="an accurate location";
alertWords[2]="an accurate location";
alertWords[3]="an accurate location";
alertWords[4]="an accurate location";
alertWords[5]="an accurate location";
alertWords[6]="relevant landforms";
alertWords[7]="plate density";
alertWords[8]="plate density";
alertWords[9]="rising magma";
alertWords[10]="relevant landforms";
alertWords[11]="relevant landforms";
alertWords[12]="relevant landforms";
alertWords[13]="relevant landforms";
alertWords[14]="relevant landforms";
alertWords[15]="relevant landforms";
alertWords[16]="relevant landforms";
alertWords[17]="heat produced by friction";
alertWords[18]="continental and oceanic crust";
alertWords[19]="continental and oceanic crust";
For example, altWords[0]="'Two plates converge'
gains the same mark as alertWords[0]='two plates collide', with
no mark duplication.
There is a simple alert put in place to ensure that students
refer to the command words of the question in their answer. This itself, in
testing with students, had an immediate impact upon their performance. They were
forced to properly answer the question for the first time.
The number of marks available and alternative wording is
unlimited.
Note that extra spaces entered in error between words are
ignored, as is the capitalization/non-capitalization of letters.
Improvements log
1. Spell checker replaced with improved version. 5.11.2005
2. Optional test timer added. 4.12.2005
3. Test certificates integrated into the tests. 12.11.2005
4. An online interface to be provided for school staff to enter question(s),
optional image(s) and mark scheme with alternative answer wording.
5. Mark schemes to be made editable online with Page Publisher wysiwyg editor.
6. End-of-test diagnostic feedback provided. 12.11.2005
7. Client-side source code removed. 17.12.2005
8. The script currently works in Internet Explorer browsers only.
9. Marking in context improved. 3.1.2006
10. Bug that can cause freezing of check answer button removed.
3.1.2006
