Patent GB-1335067-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for evaluating pupils replies
IPC: G09B7/073
Filed: 1971-04-19
Abstract: 1335067 Question and answer systems P GEBHARDT-SEELE 19 April 1971 [13 March 1970] 23775/71 Heading G5G In a question and answer system including a central station and at least two pupil stations, the central station includes recording apparatus which evaluates pupils' answers and records at least every correct answer in the form of a mark on a recording medium which is advanced by a step after each question, the markers for each pupil station being disposed in a direction transverse to the direction of motion of the recording medium. A detailed electro-mechanical embodiment is described. In operation, a teacher first depresses one of two preselector buttons 106 or 106<SP>1</SP> (Fig. 5), at the central station, depending on the answer to be given to a question. As a result, an associated relay 108 or 108<SP>1</SP> is energized to prepare the recording apparatus for receiving pupil replies. A gong 118 and a lamp 120 indicate to pupils that a reply is awaited. Each pupil has two buttons 104 and 104<SP>1</SP> corresponding to the teacher's buttons 106 and 106<SP>1</SP> and a lamp 122. If the correct button is depressed, the lamp 122 lights and an electromagnet 52 (Figs. 5 and 2) is energized to operate a correct-answer stylus 44 to make a mark on a record web 18 on a platten 16. Incorrect answers cause an incorrect-answer stylus 46 to be operated. Only the first answer is recorded. The styli 44, 46 may record different marks on the record web 18 and be offset in the direction of web feed by half a step. They are operatively connected with feed pawls 62, 64, respectively, to advance or turn back a toothed differential counting wheel 66. A second coaxial wheel (66<SP>1</SP>) is provided for summing the total number of responses made. The wheels 66 and (66<SP>1</SP>) have members thereon. Spring couplings 60 enable styli to continue operating even when an associated wheel 66 or 66<SP>1</SP> has reached the end of its travel. Separate magnets 52, styli 44 and 46, and wheels 66 and 66<SP>1</SP> are provided for each pupil (Fig. 1, not shown). A timing relay 111 is provided to limit the time for reply but manual override is provided by a switch 114. At the end of the timed period or on closure of the switch 114, whichever is the later, the record web 18 is advanced and preselector relays 108 or 108<SP>1</SP> released unless held in their set positions by closure of a holding switch 112. The preselector buttons 106, 106<SP>1</SP> may be operated by program control. A switch 116 is provided whereby the contents of the differential counter wheels 66 may be recorded. For this purpose, each incorrect stylus 46 corresponding to a wheel 66 which is not in its starting position is operated and the corresponding wheel stepped back one notch. The record web 18 is then advanced and the cycle repeated until all wheels 66 are in their starting positions. An ammeter 140 is connected in common with all the contacts f<SP>1</SP> of correct answer styli 44 so as to indicate the percentage of pupils replying correctly. A variable resistor 142 enables the ammeter to be calibrated according to the number of pupils present. The ammeter pointer 144 (Fig. 1, not shown) is disposed adjacent to the platten 16 and has a projection thereon so that, at the end of the period for answering a question, by operation of an electromagnet (52<SP>1</SP>) a mark corresponding to the ammeter reading is made on the record web 18. The record web 18 comprises a transparent layer 18; a double-sided carbon paper layer 18<SP>11</SP> and an ordinary paper layer 18<SP>111</SP>. Alternatively, a heat-sensitive web and a heated styli may be used. Deflectors 70, 72 may be adjusted to give double or multiple weight to correct or incorrect answers. A slot 94 and co-operating handle 98 (Fig. 3, not shown) are provided at the rear of the apparatus so that by insertion of the end of the recording web in the slot and manual operation of the handle an impression of the raised numerals 92 of the sum (and optionally the differential) counting wheels may be made before these are released to return to their starting positions. A single counting wheel for the total number of questions asked may be provided. This wheel may switch the apparatus off after a pre-set number of questions.