Common User Interface Paradigm
TouchStone has been designed around the idea of a task sidebar menu which changes depending on context in just the same way as Windows XP. This similarity with one of the widest used operating systems reduces training costs.
LDAP Compatibility
TouchStone can be setup to authenticate from an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server thus reducing the likelihood of users forgetting usernames and passwords and therefore lessening demands made to various help desks and support staff.
Help & Support
TouchStone incorporates two online help systems, one written towards student use of online assessments/surveys, and a more extensive one written for staff explaining how to author papers and questions. The system also comes with a printed technical guide and a printed staff user manual.
Cross-browser/Cross-platform
TouchStone, being web-based will run on the following browsers/platforms:
Usability is of crucial importance to online assessment systems. The user's cognitive processes should be engaged as much as possible with the intellectual task at hand rather than devoted to operating the assessment software itself. To ensure that TouchStone is as easy to use as possible the Medical Education Unit (MEU) has conducted a number of student surveys of the system's usability (see below).
The 1st June 2004 and 6th July 2004 evaluations were conducted with the same cohort of students (GEM 2003/04 entry), while the 15th December 2004 and 16th March 2005 evaluations where held with the GEM 2004/05 entry. What is interesting when comparing the reports for these two surveys is that on second exposure students rate the usability of TouchStone as higher and show an increased preference towards online assessment. It is likely that this 'familiarity' effect is important for any online assessment system, not just TouchStone, and thus makes it highly advisable that students are exposed to online formative exams well in advance of any online summative high-stakes examination.
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