This article lists and describes terms which users of TAO Portal may frequently run into while using the program to author tests, administrate them, or generate assessment reports.
Action Bar
he menu, in the form of a blue bar, situated under the black Assessment Builder Bar, which appears across the top of all TAO web pages.
Adaptive Test
A Test which changes the presentation of Items based on Test-taker response. Generally achieved through the use of pre-conditions and branching. Advanced.
Assessment Builder Bar
The menu, in the form of a black bar, across the top of all TAO web pages.
Assessment Variable
Technical term for the final score assigned to a Test-taker’s performance in an Item Session or a Test Session.
Associable Hotspot Panel
The panel on the left of the Hotspot Interaction which is being edited, from which the shapes needed for the hotspots can be chosen.
Attempt
A single candidate interaction with an Item that possibly assigns values to or updates an associated Response Variable.
Author
A person who authors material for use in TAO assessments in TAO, typically a teacher. See Item Author and Test Author.
Authoring System
A system used by authors to create and edit Items and Tests. TAO is an example of an authoring system.
Back office
The administrative interface of TAO, which manages items, tests, test-takers and so on.
Base-type
A predefined data type used to define a value set from which Item Variables are drawn.
Basic Item
An Item which contains one and only one Interaction.
Candidate Session
The time during which the Candidate or Test-taker is interacting with an Assessment Item as part of an Attempt. An Attempt may extend across more than one Candidate Session (such as when a Test-taker terminates one Candidate Session in order to answer another question first, and then starts another Candidate Session to return to the original question).
Canvas
The main area in the middle of the screen for the user to define the contents of Items, Tests, etc.
Class
A group of related Items, Tests, etc. Folders in the Library represent Classes.
Common Interactions
An Interaction type which covers many of the simple interactions that are commonly used in testing.
Common Interactions Library
The first section of the Interactions Library which appears on the left when editing an item. It contains the Common Interactions used in TAO.
Composite Item
An Item which contains more than one Interaction.
Container
An aggregate data type that can contain multiple values of unmodified Base-types, or even be empty.
Custom Interactions
An Interaction type which provides library space for miscellaneous Interactions developed by the user.
Delivery
An assembly of all information required to assign and send out Tests to selected Test-Takers.
Delivery Library
The Library of existing Deliveries, situated in the panel on the left.
Delivery Library Panel
The panel on the left, where existing Deliveries are shown.
Delivery System
A system which administers and delivers assessments to Test-takers through the use of a delivery engine, or a process that coordinates both Item Delivery and response evaluation (scoring) and Feedback.
End Attempt
The possibility to exit a test item before it is complete.
Event Log
The Event Log in TAO logs all events, from a user logging in to the system, to creating a new test. The log creates an event ID, provides information on the user and their role, as well as the type and date of the event.
Extension
The components, or building blocks, of which TAO is made. Every extension adds a new set of features.
Extensions Manager
Architecture used to view and manage installed and available extensions.
Feedback
Any material presented to the candidate as a result of an outcome variable meeting or exceeding particular conditions. This can include integrated, modal, and Test Feedback.
Formula Editor
An editor containing mathematical symbols, used to insert Math Expressions in tests.
Front Office
The test-taker screen.
Global Manager
The global manager has access to the entire platform apart from the system components such as the extension manager.
Global Roles
Users assigned to global roles have rights across the TAO Portal within the group and organizational unit they are enrolled in.
Graphic
A picture or other image upon which Graphic Interactions are based. They often form the background on which the Interaction is then placed.
Graphic Interactions
An Interaction type which covers the Graphical Interactions commonly used in testing.
Graphic Interactions Library
The third section of the Interactions Library which appears on the left when editing an Item. It contains the Graphic Interactions used in TAO.
Group
Organized collections of Test-Takers (or users) who take the same assessments (sessions) throughout the duration of a course of study.
Group Library
The Library of existing Groups, which appears in the panel on the left when you select Groups from the Assessment Builder Bar.
Group Roles
Group roles are assigned as part of the enrollment of a user to a specific group and provide the right to perform certain actions within the scope of the given group.
Hierarchy Tree
The hierarchy tree is an organizational structure composed of organizational units (OUs). Using the hierarchy structure ensures that users included in an OU cannot access data in a different OU.
Inline Interactions
An Interaction type which covers the text-based interactions commonly used in testing.
Inline Interactions Library
The second section of the Interactions Library which appears on the left when editing an item. It contains the Inline Interactions used in TAO.
Interaction
The part of an Item which allows the candidate to interact with an assessment, selecting or constructing a response.
Interactions Library
The panel which appears on the left when editing an item contains the Interactions Library. It contains the all the available Interactions used in TAO.
Interaction Properties Panel
The panel which appears on the right when an Interaction is being edited, where it is possible to define certain properties pertaining to this Interaction.
Integrated Feedback
Feedback which is integrated into an Item. Unlike with Modal Feedback, Test-takers may update their responses while viewing Integrated Feedback.
Item
The smallest exchangeable object in an assessment. An Item is more than a ‘Question’ in that it also contains the contextual instructions, the processing to be applied to the Test-taker’s response(s), and any Feedback (including hints and solutions). May also be called Assessment Item.
Item Author
A person who authors and manages items and media to be used in TAO, typically a teacher.
Item Properties
Item Properties define attributes, or characteristics, pertaining to Items.
Item Scoring Rules
See Response Processing.
Item Session
The accumulation of all Test-taker Attempts at a particular Item.
Item Session Control Panel
The Item Session Control Panel contains settings for items in a particular test such as the time allowed for that item. See Test Settings for the properties which can be set in this panel.
Item Variable
A variable which records Test-taker responses and any outcomes assigned during response processing during an Item Session. As a special kind of Assessment Variable, Item Variables are also used to define Item Templates.
Items Library
The Library of existing Items, which appears in the panel on the left when you select Items from the Assessment Builder Bar.
Library
The panel on the left represents the various Libraries. There are Libraries for existing Items, Tests, Deliveries, etc, as well as for possible Interaction types.
Library Panel
The panel on the left, where existing Items, Tests, Deliveries, etc, as well as possible Interaction types, are shown.
List Style
The possible answers will be presented to the Test-taker in the form of a list.
Material
All static text, image, or media objects which are intended for the Test-taker rather than for being interpreted by a processing system. Interactions are not considered to be material.
Math Expression
Math expressions can be entered using MathML or Latex Math.
Media Formats
For maximum compatibility across browsers, mp4 or mpeg formats should be used for video (ACC codec for audio + H264 for video codec), and mp3 or ogg should be used for audio.
Metadata
Information described in the properties of Interactions, Items, Tests, or Deliveries, including everything except their content.
Modal Feedback
Feedback which is not integrated into an Item’s body during presentation to the Test-taker.
Multiple Response
A Response Variable that serves as a container for multiple values taken from a value set defined by a base-type. These are processed as an unordered list, and may be empty.
Ordered Response
A Response Variable which is a Container for multiple values taken from a value set defined by a Base-type. These are processed as an ordered list (sequence) of values, but may be empty.
Organizational Unit
Organizational units (OUs) are used to classify users and groups in different segments of an organization within a hierarchy structure (hierarchy tree).
Outcome
The result of an Assessment Test or Item. These are represented by one or more Outcome Variables.
Outcome Processing
The process which adds up the values of Item Outcomes (or Responses) in order to produce Test Outcomes.
Outcome Variable
Variables taken from outcome declarations. Values are set either from a default given within the declaration or by a response rule encountered during Response Processing (for Item outcomes) or Outcome Processing (for Test Outcomes).
Pattern
Patterns can be set using regular expressions in the QTI creator. If the Test-taker’s Response does not match the Pattern, an error is shown. The Response cannot be submitted until the input is corrected in line with the pattern.
Pre-formatted Text
Indicates that the text to be entered by the Test-taker is pre-formatted and should be rendered in a way consistent with the definition of pre in XHTML.
Proctor
A teacher or administrator given permission to follow the progress of test-takers sitting a test. A proctor can stop a test.
Proctor Administrator
A teacher or administrator given permission to follow the progress of test-takers sitting a test. A proctor administrator can stop and restart a test.
Proctoring Screen
The screen from which the proctor administrates tests.
Properties
Properties define attributes, or characteristics, pertaining to Interactions, Items, Tests, or Deliveries.
Properties Panel
The panel in which it is possible to define certain properties pertaining to the Interaction, Item, Test, Delivery etc, which is being edited. Usually this is on the right.
Radio Button
A test type whereby the Test-taker is only permitted to select one answer. If an additional answer is clicked, the selection will move to this choice, leaving the first one unselected.
Resource Manager
A method by which to manage and select media files for use in Interactions.
Response
Data provided by the Test-taker through interaction with an Item or Item Part. Associated values are represented as Response Variables.
Response Processing
The process by which Response Variable values are scored and Item Outcome values are assigned.
Response Properties Panel
The panel on the right of the Interaction being edited, where it is possible to define the properties pertaining to the Response to this Interaction.
Response Variable
Variables taken from Response declarations and bound to Interactions in the Item body, they record the candidate’s Responses.
Results
Results in TAO are the output from a Delivery, and contain the test details for each Test-taker sitting a particular assessment.
Results Table
The Results are displayed in a Results Table containing the test results associated with a given delivery, including information on each student who took the test.
Scoring Engine
The part of the assessment system that processes Test-taker Responses and scores them based on Response Processing rules.
Section
A section of a Test, which can be managed independently. Settings for item selection and ordering are defined at section level. Item session control and tools (by categories) defined here propagate to the item level.
Session
Once a delivery is created in the Content Bank, you can create a session in the TAO Portal to assign an assessment to a group.
Single Response
A Response Variable which takes a single value from the value set defined by a Base-type.
Shared Stimulus
A stimulus is a piece of information which sets the context for a question or a series of questions. A Shared Stimulus is one that is shared between multiple Items.
TAO Core
OAT’s free extensible online assessment software built on open standards for enhanced ownership, ideal for organizations who have a dedicated team of IT experts and the infrastructure to host the solution in place. TAO Core is the foundation for paid TAO packages.
TAO Ignite
OAT’s off-the-shelf, complete digital assessment solution designed to bring your testing program online fast and effectively, without the technical headache. Just add your content and go — it’s that easy.
TAO Pro
OAT’s most popular off-the-shelf TAO solution. Pro includes the same enhanced turn-key feature set as TAO Ignite, plus access to dedicated account management support as you grow and scale your program.
TAO Enterprise
OAT’s most powerful TAO solution designed to support the world’s most demanding online assessment programs, at any scale. From customization to integration we can build you the exact online assessment system you need.
Tenant Administrator
This functional role allows full access to a TAO tenant, on the basis of a single account provided to clients. The Tenant Administrator can create other accounts from this single account, but does not have access to Role and Permissions management.
Test (or Assessment)
An organized collection of Items which are used to measure performance of a Candidate with respect to that person’s level of mastery of a given subject. Assessments contain all instructions required for navigation through a sequence of Items. They also calculate the final score earned by the Test-taker.Test Author
A person who authors tests, and the management of tests in TAO, typically a teacher. This is an additional role which needs to be allocated in combination with the Item Author role to be able to select items and assemble tests.
Test Feedback
Feedback presented to a Test-taker, based on final score values.
Test Library
The Library of existing Tests, which appears in the panel on the left when you select Tests from the Assessment Builder Bar.
Test Library Panel
See Test Library.
Test Part
Part of a Test, which can be managed independently. The navigation mode (linear or non-linear) is defined at the test part level.
Test Session
The Interaction of a Candidate with a Test and the Items it contains.
Test Center
An educational institution registered to deliver TAO assessments.
Test Center Administrator
This functional role manages the proctors at a test center – in other words can create, remove and authorize proctors for deliveries, as well as proctor.
Test Center Library
The Library of existing Test Centers which appears in the panel on the left when you select Test Centers from the Assessment Builder Bar.
Test-taker (or Candidate)
A person who participates in a Test, assessment or exam by answering questions.
Test-taker Library
The Library of existing Test-takers, which appears in the panel on the left when you select Test-takers from the Assessment Builder Bar.
Test-Taker Tools
A set of accommodation/accessibility tools designed to aid the Test-taker in various ways when taking tests.
Text Block
A framework with which a block-related interaction can be created.
Text Editing Toolbar
The bar which appears above an item during authoring. It enables the item author to insert italics or underline text, or add a math expression or table, for example. See Interaction Authoring Tools for the tools available.
Text-to-speech
The text-to-speech functionality allows test-takers to hear the test questions, or parts of them, read aloud.
Time Dependent Item
An Item which records the accumulated elapsed time for a Candidate Session in a Response Variable, used during Response Processing.
Time Independent Item
An Item which does not use the accumulated elapsed time during Response Processing.
Tooltip
An option in the Text Editing Toolbar where an item author can add a hint, for example, for a particular interaction.
User
In the TAO Portal, users are assigned roles upon creation; these roles designate each user’s access to the correct areas of the Portal.