Using Mobile and Web-Based Computerized Tests to Evaluate University Students

Mobile learning and testing is emerging as a potential educational environment. In this article we evaluate the use of mobile devices for testing as compared to web-based assessment systems. We also describe an authoring tool to develop adaptable and adaptive computerized tests that can be executed on such different platforms as personal computers, personal digital assistants and mobile phones. We have carried out an experiment with computer science university students to determine their satisfaction and to compare the results obtained when executing a test on personal computers versus mobile devices. The experiments have shown that students were highly motivated and enjoyed using mobile application for testing. Furthermore, there were not any significant differences in the results obtained with the different versions of the test. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 17: 435-447, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20242