q&a.skill – Features and Benefits

Features and Applications

• richness of different types of questions which leads to greater variety in test situations; better acceptance (tests are less boring; question types can be chosen freely to guarantee methodical fit)
• Multiple choice "1 of n" (n can be any number) Benefit: 1-of-n-questions can be configured in a way that delegates are left in doubt whether a question is 1-of-n or m-of-n or 1-of-n is made visible (supported by radio-buttons or check-boxes)
• Multiple choice "m of n" (m<=n; m and n can be any number) Benefit: this feature eliminates the requirement for answer-statements like "all the above". Conventional multiple choice tests often suffer from logical incorrectness: if an answer option "all the above" is correct, by definition the individual statements have to be correct as well.
• Keyword-questions: ideal to prompt for abbreviations, acronyms, words, notions, short sentences, translations, etc. ("hard facts"; features semiautomatic correction; accuracy of required input can be configured, i.e. following this configuration an answer can be rated as correct if an only if the answer exactly matches the target answer, or a certain proximity leads to a correct result)
• Open text questions: delegates are requested to deliver full text answers. A very straightforward correction mechanism guarantees that the test admin or an expert can correct and rate answers quickly and efficiently and without bias.
• Questions which are supported by graphics. Illustrations, any images
• Questions which are answered by graphic interaction (mouse click on specific area). This question type is especially useful in detecting e.g. anomalies in images
• 360 degree-Feedback (type of scale freely definable; number and nature of assessors freely definable)
• Any questionnaire
• Multiple choice answers can be displayed offering the choice to mark them as correct or incorrect (adding the "no decision option") or in the "classic-mode" – just ticking the right ones (no difference between wrong and "don't know"). Proper algorithms support this variety.
• Questions can be weighted individually to best fit test designer's needs
• Adaptable design (with or without time-stress for participants)
• System supported assistance by a coach for joint analysis of results (participant & coach)
• Prompt for participant's feedback after every test

Management and Control

• control for administration
  1. tests freely configurable (test-properties):
  2. duration (how long participants can work on it)
  3. test window (begin and end of test-availability)
  4. users (users can be assigned to tests freely); users are managed in database
  5. role based access-rights; access rights (viewing, correction, administration,...) can be assigned freely and individually
  6. quick and easy update of content (strict separation between content – managed in a database, programme/database frame and user interface)
  7. quick and easy setup of tests – ultimate flexibility to fit even short term education requirements
• control for user
  1. available time for test always visible for participant (configurable)
  2. percentage of completion always visible for participant (configurable)
  3. within q&a.training: visualization of fitness in respective area

Analysis & Communication; Interpretation of Results

Wide range of rapid and in depth analyses and reports:

• SumSheet: total score of participants
• Definable subsets of questions (e.g. within a test definable subgroups of questions can be built and analysed individually)
• Free exportability (e.g. Spreadsheets like MS-Excel) for further in depth analysis. Test results can drive automated communication with participants ("mailing function")
• Wide range of metrics (expandable upon customer's request):
• Measurement of quality of test
  1. Difficulty index (measures perceived difficulty within a test)
  2. Discrimination index (measures contribution of individual question to total result)
• Participants scores:
  1. Total score and averages
  2. Time use summary
  3. Distribution of results within a test (decile-metrics)
  4. Distribution of participants' completion time
  5. Different question types can be analysed separately

Acceptance, Reliability

• accepted and approved by Xerox GmbH's (Germany) workers council (data of individual participants are deleted from system after specified period)
• 100% confidentiality of results
• ease of use
• q&a.skill has been designed towards Xerox' requirements: 3 years experience with XA, XG, XI are reflected in the design

User Interface

• q&a.skill is truly multilingual in content and user interface (currently in German, English and Italian)
• All user interactions are supported by rich mouse-over-explanations
• The user-interface is very reduced and easy to understand
• User-interface can be aligned to customer's CI

Access

• Open standard (can be accessed by any browser: IE, FF, Safari, PDA-based browser...)
• optional requirement: JavaScript (however, JavaScript is not a mandatory requirement)
• can be linked into company platform or portal

Safety & Security

• runs on a robust and secure commercial server; availability: 24/7
• regular backups
• password-controlled access via http; https on request
• sophisticated role-based access control
• transmission from client to server during tests: even in situations where client PC goes down or network connection is interrupted, data will available
• reset and resume of test within admin control
• initial password distributed by admin; self administration of password by user
• option: password free access for training mode for trusted networks (e.g. Xerox network)

System requirement

• no specific hard- or software required
• standard PC (any platform), standard operating system (any), standard browser (possibly not older than 1 generation below latest)

Business Model

• ASP-model
• minimum initial investment
• transaction based charges (test as a basis; fair use)

Integration into Curriculum or Learning Path

• training mode which lets participants practice in specified areas
• supports repetitive learning
• learning statistics
• multimedia knowledge acquisition
• continuous management of corporate knowledge

Corporate Identity, Design

• q&a.skill supports any number of companies or entities (in their respective CI and/or language)
• the q&a.skill-frame can be applied to all companies and industries

Applications

• Any tests (pretests, post-tests as a complement to training sessions)
• Controlling of human resource development activities
• Certifications, accreditations
• Opinion polls
• Questionnaires
• 360 degree feedbacks
• Multilingual, cross cultural tests and feedbacks; any tests and feedbacks simultaneous over large geographic areas