Electronic Proceedings of the Eighteenth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics

Orlando, Florida, March 16-19, 2006

Paper S038

This is an electronic reprint, reproduced by permission of Pearson Education Inc. Originally appeared in the Proceedings of the Eighteenth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, Edited by Joanne Foster, ISBN 0-321-49160-2, Copyright (C) 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.


Using Technology to Make New Assessment Instruments

G. Donald Allen


Department of Mathematics
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843
USA


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Dianne S. Goldsby


Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843
USA


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ABSTRACT

The use of visual analog scales (VAS) in survey research has been rare, partly due to operational difficulties. Moreover, without mechanical devices, they have been difficult to implement. However, Internet based surveys permit the use of continuous input devices such as slider bars, making VAS more feasible. The authors have devised a new slider tool and conducted an experiment to explore the utility of a VAS in a web survey, comparing it to radio button input. The emphasis here is on the technology of the instrument itself and some of the associated mathematics and results.

Keyword(s): assessment, Internet