Testers are ready! (almost)

The Smarter Balance Tester 7.2 has been installed in all the desktops in the computer lab, and on the Juniors computers today.  The AirSecure Browser for the chromebooks has also been updated.

The Smarter Balance Browser should have a logo and shortcut on the desktop and it looks similar to this.

In addition, the Questar Test Browser (used for the Science portion of the testing, for grades 5, 8, and 11) has also been installed in the Computer Lab, and on the Junior machines.  After installation each of those tests was logged into once, and given a trial run, making sure all the features of the test work (highlighter, help page, calculator, etc...).  Once the trial test was completed the machines are registered as OK to go.  As of the moment I am writing this, all seem to be working!

The Questar logo should be located on the desktop, and will look similar to this.

The chromebooks will have a different log in for the Questar Test.  These have been requested from Questar, and they should be getting those to me at any time.

When I get those, the students will log into the chromebooks using the Questar log in when they get on the chromebooks.  They will NOT log in to their normal chromebook account.  (I will install the Questar accounts on each of the chromebooks)

As before, if they are taking the Smarter Balance portion of the test, they will use the Smarter Balance "AirSecure Browser" which is located on the startup page.  This is what is known as a "Kiosk" App, and I have checked the machines, and it is there.

So hopefully, we will have the chromebooks finished up by the end of this week, and we should be all set and ready to go for online standardized testing!

I do have a few old "loaners" to image, to make sure we have some spares for the Juniors.

If you would like the tester installed in your classroom to "practice", all you need to do is ask, and I will get it done for you.  It only takes a few minutes to install the Smarter Balance Tester, and a little bit longer for Questar (since it requires a log in, and check of the system to register the machine).

Thank you very much, and Happy Testing!

Tests, Testing, and Testers.

With the move of standardized testing going "online" I have been busy installing the new "tester" on several machines.

What I have been  installing is the Smarter Balance Secure Browser 6.3  The icon for this program looks like this:

Basically, what it is...is a "secure browser".  It shuts down your ability to run any other programs on the machine while you are using it.  (to prevent people from cheating).  It connects directly to the smarter balance website, and asks the user to log in with their testing credentials. (username and password)

The program itself isn't difficult to load on the machines, but it takes a little time.  And, I'm happy to say that all the machines in the North Lab, and the Windows 7 lab, have it installed on them.  We have also enabled the SBAC tester on the chromebooks (which was much easier to do...I just authorized that app for all our chromebooks, and BOOM, it was done).

This also required me to take a trip out to Roland colony and make sure the newest browser was installed.

The HS Juniors all need this on their machines as well.  A week or two ago, I did this on the great majority of them.  If there is a Junior HS student who doesn't have this installed, they will need to come and see me, so I can install it on their machine.

Problems will probably arise...they always do with technology.  But hopefully the move to online testing will go fairly smoothly, and it will certainly improve and get better with more experience in using it.  (Both at the state and local level).

At the latest check the tester seems to be working (we had a slight hiccup last week, when the testing site was down for a few days...but that was on Smarter Balance's end of things), and hopefully we are prepared and ready to go when the testing begins.

In our weekly testing coordinators update, they did ask for people to begin "practicing"  (See paste below)
 "Secure browser installation – please try to get the secure browsers installed this week so you can have as many students as possible try the training test next week. "
 

We have the browser installed, so check with Ms. Bogue as to when you can begin a "practice" session.