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Keystone Exams and Classroom Diagnostic Tools Technology Coordinator Training Fall/Winter 2013-2014 Pennsylvania Department of Education Data Recognition Corporation. Wyatt Garnett III, Education Project Manager Reid Frahm, Support Analyst. Presenters.
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Keystone Exams and Classroom Diagnostic Tools Technology Coordinator Training Fall/Winter 2013-2014 Pennsylvania Department of Education Data Recognition Corporation
Wyatt Garnett III, Education Project Manager • Reid Frahm, Support Analyst Presenters
All participant microphones are currently muted. • Submit questions during the presentation using the chat feature. • At the end of the session, there will be a question-and-answer period. Meeting Logistics
Training Objectives • Key dates • Technology Readiness Checklist • Download and installation of PA Online Assessments software and Local Caching Service (LCS) • Software maintenance
Purpose: • This document is intended to serve as a reference guide for LEAs looking to implement online assessments. The development team includes technology coordinators from the Intermediate Units (PAIMS), LEA technology coordinator, PDE, and DRC. This document is structured in a checklist format for ease of identification of various factors an LEA needs to consider. Technology Readiness for Online Assessments
Staff and Personnel • Scheduling and Logistics • Network and Devices Technology Readiness Checklist Categories
Checklist Items • Introduce Online Testing and Create Awareness • Create an Online Assessment Readiness Team • Develop an Action Plan • Provide Professional Development • Administer the Online Assessments • Review the Data • Review and Revise the Process Staff and Personnel
Checklist Items • Determine Number of Students • Identify Computers to be Used • Prepare Test Sites • Establish when Tests are to be Administered • Schedule Times to Send Announcements • Address Scheduling/Location Accommodations Scheduling and Logistics
Checklist Items • Verify Capacity of Wireless Network • Utilize a Local Caching Service (LCS) • Coordinate with Local IU • Plan for Bandwidth Needs • Conduct a Test Connection • Determine Utilization on Test Days • Determine Locations on Test Days • Verify Wireless Access on Test Days • Stagger Logins on Test Days • Conduct Device Audit • Determine the Maximum # of Hours Available for Testing • Determine the Maximum # of Test-Takers • Determine the Maximum # of Test-Takers Per Session • Prepare Devices for Tests Network and Devices
System Overview Student Machine Web Browser PA Online Assessments Student Interface PA eDIRECT System Readiness Check LCS Manager Page PA Online Tutorials Student Tutorial Link = Used by Student = Used by Technology Coordinator
PA eDIRECT https://pa.drcedirect.com/
PA eDIRECT • Web portal used for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), Keystone Exams, Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT), Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) Grades 3-5 Field Test • Used by Technology Coordinators for the distribution of PA Online Assessment software • Used by Assessment Coordinators for access to Test Setup tools, tutorials, and Online Tools Training • Student tutorials and Online Tools Training publically available on PA eDIRECT • Users granted access to PA eDIRECT will be notified of their access through email • Permissions-based system
PA eDIRECT System Requirements • Minimum Web Browser Requirements • Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, 8 or 9 • Mozilla Firefox 3.6 • Mozilla Firefox 6.0 or higher • Apple Safari 4.0 or higher • Any other Web browser compatible with these browsers • Additional Requirements • Browser must support JavaScript • Browser must accept session-based cookies
Downloads Available Downloads are available through eDIRECT
Supported Configurations • The student interface software is the primary delivery engine for test content to the students • It is a desktop installed client-server application • It can support automatic updates • It may be used in the following configurations: • Standard single-user desktops • Remote Desktops/Terminal Servers (Citrix, Microsoft Remote Desktop, nComputingvSpace)* • Virtual machines* • * Text-To-Speech feature not supported on remote workstations or virtual machines.
Supported Operating Systems • Microsoft® Windows® XP with SP1 or greater • Microsoft® Windows Vista® • Microsoft® Windows® 7 • Microsoft® Server 2003 • Microsoft® Server 2008 • UBUNTU 12.04 with Gnome 3.4, kernels 3.0.1-3.3 *Workstations with ATI integrated onboard graphics must have ATI Catalyst drivers version 9.3 or newer installed Windows / Linux Installer System Requirements • 256 MB of RAM or greater • Updated graphics drivers with a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or greater* • Mouse; Keyboard • 100 MB of available hard disk space or greater • 700 MHz or faster processor System Requirements --Windows/ Linux Note: Tablet devices currently not supported
Macintosh Installer System Requirements • 256 MB of RAM or greater • Updated graphics drivers with a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or greater • Mouse; Keyboard • 10 MB of available hard disk space or greater • 400 MHz or faster processor* Supported Operating Systems* • Apple® Mac OS X® 10.5** • Apple® Mac OS X® 10.6** • Apple® Mac OS X® 10.7** • Apple® Mac OS X® 10.8** *PowerPC not recommended **Running most recent Java for Mac OS X® update System Requirements -- Macintosh Note: Tablet devices currently not supported
Text-To-Speech (TTS) • A separate installer is available that includes the Text-To-Speech feature. • The TTS feature should only be installed on workstations where the audio accommodation will be used. • If a workstation installation needs to be changed from a standard installation of the student interface to the installation with TTS, always uninstall the previous version before installing a different version.
Text-To-Speech (TTS)Additional System Requirements Windows Installer System Requirements 300 MB of available hard disk space or greater Sound card and speakers/headphones Supported Operating Systems Microsoft® Windows® XP with SP1 or greater Microsoft® Windows® 7 Microsoft® Server 2003 Microsoft® Server 2008 Macintosh InstallerSystem Requirements 200 MB of available hard disk space or greater Sound card and speakers/headphones Supported Operating Systems Apple® Mac OS X® 10.5 Apple® Mac OS X® 10.6 Apple® Mac OS X® 10.7 Apple® Mac OS X® 10.8
Student Interface Network Requirements • Network Connectivity • All workstations used for student testing should have access to the Internet and should be able to access the servers using HTTP/HTTPS protocols on ports 80 and 443 • Firewalls at the local workstation and the network level should allow Java connectivity on ports 80 and 443 • All the URLs corresponding to the testing servers should be white listed on content filtering or other proxy software used locally • https://insight.drcedirect.com for HTTPS • http://insight-client.drcedirect.com for HTTP
Installation Process • The installer requires administrative rights • There is a similar process for Windows and Macintosh • Windows XP Demonstration
Installation Process • Silent/Unattended Installs for Windows • The Windows MSI installer is capable of running in silent mode • You can also send custom attributes to the MSI, such as ENABLE_AUTO_UPDATE=false* • You can install the software using tools such as Microsoft System Center, IBM Tivoli, and Symantec Altiris • *See PA Online Assessment Software Tech Readiness Guide available on PA eDIRECT
System Readiness Check • Runs as part of installation • Can be run on demand for debugging purposes afterward
Software Updates • The student interface is capable of automatically updating itself with the latest published version of the code • There is an Automatic Update property that is set initially on the software installation, and can also be modified through the System Readiness Check application
Software Updates • If Automatic Updates are enabled, the student interface software will check the version each time the application is started • If an update is necessary, it will download and install automatically • The updates do not require administrative rights
Software Updates • If Automatic Updates are disabled, the student interface software will not check the version when the application is started • When a student tries to log into a test, they will be notified they are not on the latest version and will not be able to continue • The software will need to be updated manually by getting the latest version from PA eDIRECT and reinstalling • You can run the System Readiness Check application at any time to see if you have the latest version
Software Updates • The software previously installed can be updated by the Automatic Update process • To avoid delays at the start of testing, it is recommended that you update the software before testing begins by executing the installer • The automatic update will not include updates to the voice for Text-To-Speech
Local Caching Service (LCS) • A Local Caching Service runs on a server within your local network • Increases reliability by caching student responses when Internet connection fails • Reduces Internet traffic by caching test content • Use of a LCS is highly recommended whenever possible
Local Caching Service (LCS) • Installed using an installation wizard • Populated with test content using the LCS Manager • Test content updates are automatically downloaded, but should always be checked prior to testing • Student workstations must be connected to LCS or Internet otherwise test will terminate • Adaptive tests (CDT) require Internet connection at all times
Local Caching Service (LCS)Installation • The installer requires administrative rights • There is a similar process for Windows and Macintosh • Windows XP LCS Demonstration
Local Caching Service (LCS)LCS Manager • After installation, the LCS can be loaded with test content using the LCS Manager • Updates are automatic • The LCS Manager can be used to manually update content
Local Caching Service (LCS)Client Configuration • The student interface must be configured to use a LCS • A LCS can be configured during the software installation, and can also be modified through the System Readiness Check application
Local Caching Service (LCS)Student Responses • Student Responses sent to LCS if Internet connection dropped • Responses will automatically be transmitted by LCS every 15 minutes • Responses can be manually transmitted
Local Caching Service (LCS)Student Responses Student Responses must be transmitted before a test can be continued
Publically available software for practicing the Online Tools Training • Should not be installed in schools • Not supported by PA Customer Service Public Online Tools Training Application
DRC is excited to announce the release of a new INSIGHT Web-Based Test Engine (WBTE) that will be available on February 10, 2014. The Web-Based Test Engine has many advantages: • Easier setup and maintenance (no more software releases) • Secure browser (locks down computer) for high-stakes testing • Enhanced magnification without pixilation Releasing in February 2014 will allow additional system testing through the fall and will result in a positive student experience when the new engine is released. The transition will require an install of the secure browser on each device that will be used for testing. The Local Caching Service (LCS) will also be available for download. Web-Based Test Engine Release
Contact Information PA Customer Service Team CDT: 888-551-6935 PSSA/Keystone: 800-451-7849 Fax: 763-268-2567 Email: PAcustomerservice@datarecognitioncorp.com