INSIGHT Testing Site Manager - ASSETS

ASSETS project at WIDA

ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Field Test

INSIGHT Testing Site Manager


Testing Site Manager (TSM)

The DRC INSIGHT Testing Site Manager (TSM) provides content and response caching, and a software toolbox to help plan, configure, and manage online testing.

For more information, see the Technology User Guide. (eDIRECT: General InformationDocuments)

The TSM is required for WIDA testing.


• TSM software must be installed on a non-student computer or server. • Computer or server should have a static IP address. • Install the TSM before installing INSIGHT.

Because student computers need uninterrupted connectivity to the TSM, DRC recommends one TSM per school.

1. Install TSM 2. Install INSIGHT

TSM

If a TSM must be shared, you must ensure that you have enough network capacity.

Testing Site Manager (TSM)


Downloading the TSM

All testing software downloads are located in eDIRECT within the Test Setup menu under General Information.

Select the Downloads tab to access these downloads.


Downloading the TSM

On the Downloads tab, locate the TSM Installer for your platform. We’ll use Windows for our demonstration.

View the requirements for the TSM download by clicking the View Requirements icon from the Action column.


Installing the TSM

To begin the TSM installation process, select the Download icon from the Action column.

When prompted to Run or Save the TESTING SITE MANAGER Setup exe file, select Run to launch the Setup Wizard.


Installing the TSM

The Welcome screen displays the Testing Site Manager (TSM) Setup Wizard. Click Next to continue.

The DRC INSIGHT License Agreement window displays. Read the agreement, select “I accept the agreement,” and then click Next.


Installing the TSM

The Select Configuration Options window displays.

For WIDA testing, you must enable both content and response caching.

Select next to continue.


Installing the TSM

Next, the Automatic Update window displays. Specify whether to enable or disable automatic TSM software updates.

It is recommended that automatic updates be enabled.

When automatic updates are disabled, DRC will notify you that an update is available, but you must update the TSM software manually. Carefully consider the configuration options. You cannot change the configuration without reinstalling the program.

Click Next to continue the TSM installation.


Installing the TSM

When the setup completes, the Setup Complete window displays.

Record the TSM server name and port numbers—you will need this information when you install INSIGHT.

To avoid potential conflicts, verify that no other devices will be using either port. If necessary, you can change the port numbers from this window.

Click Finish to complete the installation.


Using the TSM

Once the software has been downloaded, access the TSM via Start > Programs > TestingSiteManager > TestingSiteManager.

When first accessing the TSM, you’ll be prompted to name the TSM. DRC recommends naming it using district, school, and computer location.

If you access the TSM immediately after installation, you may see that the TSM is still downloading content. Once the content download is complete, the TSM is ready to use.


Content Caching and Response Caching

Content Caching and Response Caching are managed in the TSM. The Content Caching window displays test content that is available to download and whether content is current.

Note: Content must be Up to Date before testing. If content is Out of Date, students will not be able to test. Check to see that all content is up to date on the morning that a site begins the Field Test.

The TSM will attempt to automatically update test content at regularly scheduled intervals, but you can manually update content using the Update Content button.


Response Caching

Response Caching displays information about student responses stored in the TSM.

Use the Response Caching dropdown to select Unsent Responses and view responses that are awaiting transmission.


Response Caching

Information about the number of Unsent Tests and transmission attempts is displayed. Transmission attempts occur every 15 minutes.

Your Unsent Tests number must be 0 at the end of each testing day and the testing window. If it is not, use the Transmit Responses button to send them.

Unsent responses can also be sent manually by selecting Transmit Responses.

A Search feature is available to assist you in searching for specific stored responses


Response Caching

Select Historical Responses to view student responses that were previously stored in the TSM, but have now been transmitted to DRC

A Search feature is available to assist you in searching for specific previously stored responses.

Note: student responses are stored in the TSM only in the case where a student’s workstation cannot connect to DRC to transmit the responses.


Ping Trends and Load Simulator

The TSM is also where Ping Trends and Load Simulator tools can be found.

The Ping Trends tool graphs the rate of data transfer between the TSM and the DRC server and back. The rate of data transfer across a network is referred to as latency. Knowing the latency is useful for helping to determine peak network traffic times and for analyzing the best times for testing.

Under Ping Trends, use the drop down calendars to specify a date range for latency data and click Search.


Ping Trends

Two graphs will display for the selected date range

The first graph reveals the latency of the network. The second graph indicates the number of ping failures


Ping Trends

In the first graph, network latency is measured in milliseconds. The greater the latency, the slower the communication.

As the time required for ping attempts increases, peaks or spikes appear that can indicate increased network traffic and slower response time.

To reveal additional detail about the network latency, move your mouse pointer over the graph at given points.


Load Simulator

Technology Coordinators can also perform load simulations to estimate the amount of time it will take to download tests and upload responses during testing.

Select Enable Simulator to begin the process of running a load simulation

Select Historical Simulations to review details about previously run load simulations

Please refer to the Technology User Guide for instructions on running the Load Simulator tool.


Closing the TSM

When your TSM working session is finished, simply close the browser window.


Need More Help?

DRC is happy to help! Contact us at: 855-787-9615 [email protected]