ParSYSTEM Use at Duke University School of Medicine
By
Carol G. Reilly, Manager
Thomas D. Kinney Central Teaching Laboratory
Duke University School of Medicine

     The Central Teaching Lab (CTL) is a teaching support 
services group created in 1968 for basic science courses in 
medical and allied health education at the Duke University
School of Medicine. CTL is responsible for space, supplies,
and services.

     A relatively recent addition to the services is exam 
grading and electronic grade books. In 1986, we purchased 
an optical mark reader and used the software supplied by 
the manufacturer to handle exams in both medical technology 
and some first-year medical student basic science. After a 
few exams, we were looking for another exam software pack-
age, something to handle more than 100 questions, and
matching and grading flexibility. We purchased ParSCORE
software in 1987. The faculty and student response has been
enthusiastic. CTL took the burden off faculty secretaries 
to score exams, do regrades, and maintain the grade book.
Histograms and other test data were in the faculty's hands
for the first time. Students felt confident about their
feedback report. I, as manager (read: not computer guru),
did the scoring and had no problems understanding the pro-
gram. Some faculty were a little nervous about being
relieved of this duty, and double-checked all statistics
generated by the software. The software was proved accurate.
In 1987, CTL handled three medical student exams every four
weeks, with an occasional second exam for allied health stu-
dents.

     Now the information systems specialist and the computer
tech take care of the daily schedule of tests. Unlike under-
graduate programs, we do not "have summers off," and courses
are taught year-round. Word-of-mouth added other users;
teaching residents who could now turn over clinical rotation
exams to us. Some continuing education courses contracted
with us for exams during their activities. Faculty advisors
were apprised of student performance, as well. We added
course evaluation activities in 1989, and are as delighted
with the reporting capabilities of the GST module of ParSURVEY
as we are with ParSCORE.

     We began using ParTEST with the Physician Assistants
program, and have suggested this to the national committee
for clinical lab science certification. we began on-line 
testing (ParTEST On-Line) with the Physician Assistant 
students to allow for immediate faculty feedback on post-
tests so that lectures could be tailored to class under-
standing. This began in 1993 and continues to this time. 
We did our first course evaluation on-line in 1994.

For more information about the Central Teaching Lab at
Duke University School of Medicine, contact

Carol G. Reilly, Manager
Thomas D. Kinney Central Teaching Laboratory
Duke University School of Medicine
P. O. Box 3899
Durham, NC 27710-3899
919/684-5967 (voice)
919/684-2593 (fax)
reill001#064;mc.duke.edu (e-mail)