Patent GB-1325341-A (GB)
Title: Educational testing apparatus
IPC: F16L23/02
Filed: 1970-08-06
Abstract: 1325341 Question and answer teaching system; selective signalling SIEMENS AG 6 Aug 1970 [7 Aug 1969 11 July 1970 (2)] 38075/70 Headings G4H and G5G The invention relates to a question and answer teaching system wherein actual (i.e. pupil) answers are automatically compared with desired (i.e. teacher) answers, the marks (correct or incorrect indications) are stored and indicators in the teaching station and optionally in the corresponding pupil station are operated. A first embodiment for individual instruction is illustrated in Fig. 1 with provision for one teacher station LS, three pupil stations SS1- SS3, and 3 question stores 41-43. The teacher initially stores the desired answers in stores 41-43 using desired question transmitter SA and question selector FrW. Each pupil position SS is provided (Fig. 4) with a question selector FrW, an actual answer selector W VA , an actual answer transmitter G VP , an auxiliary button HT for calling the teacher and lamps A R  and A F  for correct and incorrect answer indications and for calling signals from the teacher. Cyclically, under control of a clock 60 the question numbers for the pupil positions SS1-SS3 are sampled by distributer 61 and decoded by decoder 50 into a one-out-of n outputs whereby selected ones of the desired answer signals from store 41-43 are gated together with corresponding actual answer signals from distributer 62 to a comparator 71. Actual answer transfer signals on lines 110, 220, 330, open corresponding ones of gates 10, 20, 30 in evaluating unit AW to pass marked answer signals (the correct/incorrect output signals from comparator 71) to the row of stores 11-13, 21-23, 31-33 corresponding to the pupil station currently being evaluated. At the same time, one or other of lines 501-503 is energized whereby the marked answer signal is stored in one of the stores 11-13, 21-23, 31-33 corresponding to the pupil and question and a lamp such as 130 is illuminated in the teacher position. A lamp is provided in the teacher station for each pupil station. Lamps at the pupil stations may similarly be illuminated unless blocked by operation of a switch at the teacher position. Single lamps which flash or shine continuously or pairs of alternatively illuminable lamps may be provided to indicate correct and incorrect markings. The stores 11, &c. may be composed of NAND gates as illustrated in Fig. 2 (not shown) which also illustrates the flash generator connection BG for the lamps 130 &c. Where collective instruction only is required (i.e. all pupils progressing together from question to question, then the arrangement can be simplified (Figs. 6-8, not shown) by combining the desired answer transmitter and desired answer store as a set of simple changeover contacts or electronic presettable counters in the teacher station and by providing only a single store per pupil station. In this embodiment, a counter is provided at the teacher station for each pupil station whereby the number of correct and incorrect answers can be recorded. Class total counters are also provided (see below) and print-out means may be provided. There is a delay in the operation of the circuitry following clearing of modules between questions whereby any faulty setting of the desired answer transmitter can be corrected by the teacher depressing an error button (to prolong the delay) before the counters register. The stores are cross-coupled so that only the first answer given by pupils is stored. Indications may be given on the lamps before the marking is stored, at the end of the delay period. In a modification (Fig. 11, not shown) questions with alternative answers can be dealt with.  The answer selectors or transmitters may be formed as buttons (Fig. 4) or as rotary switches. Where buttons are used, recessed lamps may be provided to indicate which have been operated. Integrated circuit techniques may be used. The questions and answers may be projected from film, or displayed by television, blackboard &c. Two class counters are provided for respectively counting the totals of correct and incorrect answers to each question in turn.