WIA tries out on line trial exams

[VK4ADC]

from http://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/20.../index.php

The Wireless Institute of Australia has been working toward some on line assessments for some time and has introduced a trial exam system as a 'proof of concept' exercise.



There are currently two trial theory assessments at the Standard level and in future these will include a couple of Advanced theory assessments. The trials are on the Assessor Information System website http://www.silvertrain.com.au or via https://secure.iig.com.au/silvertrain/as...=trialexam

As part of the security process, those wanting to see them must first register on that website by clicking on the Amateur Radio tab, then on Amateur Radio Standard Theory Trial Exams, click on request access, complete the form, and then submit it. The next step will be receipt of a confirmation email advising that the request is being processed, and this is followed by a user name and password so you can log on to the trial assessments.

To access the trial the latest version of the flash player is needed. Eventually the final version of the theory assessments exams will be put on the WIA website and programmed in HTML5. This trial is only to prove the process. However, the assessments are similar in content faced by candidates for the Standard assessment making them ideal practice.

Date : 13 / 05 / 2017
Author : Fred Swainston - VK3DAC

[VK4ADC]

From the electronic edition of July 2017 AR:

WIA Trial Exams getting plenty of use By early June at least 150 people have logged on to register for the WIA trial exams with feedback from them asking that the initiative been expanded. Among these are potential upgraders and people wanting to enter the world of Amateur Radio and are encouraged by what they see. 

In response Fred Swainston VK4FE/VK3DAC has now uploaded two Advanced Licence trial exams and a Regulations trial exam to add to the existing Standard level exams. He advises that following requests, a couple of Foundation licence exams will join them soon. 

Fred Swainston VK4FE/VK3DAC says the response to the trial was higher than expected and the demand is continuing. The on-line trials are similar to the actual examinations using the same mix of questions. The system is still being tested but the registration process has achieved the desired result.

[VK2MUS]

would like to try it out but why do I need to give my phone number  and my full address to use a trial exam -  I would first like to see a link to their privacy policy before giving out information that can be sold to advertisers

[VK3YCQ]

would like to try it out but why do I need to give my phone number  and my full address to use a trial exam -  I would first like to see a link to their privacy policy before giving out information that can be sold to advertisers

...not to mention Flash Player being a known security risk.

Apart from that, unless there is some foolproof method of verification of identity, this exercise is doomed to fail.

Ian
VK3YCQ

[VK2MUS]

would like to try it out but why do I need to give my phone number  and my full address to use a trial exam -  I would first like to see a link to their privacy policy before giving out information that can be sold to advertisers

...not to mention Flash Player being a known security risk.

Apart from that, unless there is some foolproof method of verification of identity, this exercise is doomed to fail.

Ian
VK3YCQ

use the system they have now for remote exams - the applicant using the online exam is overseen by a Justice of the peace, the JP verifies the identity and oversees the exam period and then signs off that it was carried out as per the regulations (what ever they are) - if the ACMA and WIA can't trust a JP then there is something wrong in the world. For most using the online exam they would not be remote thus they would sit for the exam the same as they do now at the local club - its only remote or those with disabilities that would need the JP  - or better still let us sit for the exam at the local RTA office.

[VK4ADC]

From WIA News for 6 Aug 2017:

WIA trial exams undergo further development

 The WIA trial theory assessments available online since May this year requires a simple registration process, and the feedback has been that they exceeded the expectations of those who have used the exams.

 Organised by WIA Trainer Fred Swainston VK4FE/VK3DAC and following feedback and comments, the trial exams these will be converted to tutorials and left online.

 The trial theory papers at the Foundation, Standard and Advance level are  similar to those used in the actual multi-choice exams. These were a ‘proof-of-concept’ exercise and a move closer by the WIA towards enabling WIA Nominated Assessors to use online exams for candidates needing a remote assessment.

 Fred VK4FE / VK3DAC says a test of their use in remote assessments has been greatly helped by the feedback received. Quite a few requests were made to provide some additional material and answers to these trial examinations.

 Two Standard licence trial papers are being converted to tutorials where the answers are provided. Then will come the Regulations trial papers.

 To access the trials you need the latest version of the flash player, and log on to the Silvertrain website www.silvertrain.com.au clicking on the Amateur Radio tab.

 (Jim Linton VK3PC)