The Test

This is a web application in which the computer sets tests on strong and mixed German verbs. It randomly selects questions and marks the answers by referring to a database. Students have the choice of submitting their results to their tutor.

Here you will see the trial program set up by Bill Dodds and Mike Beilby in the Department of German Studies, University of Birmingham.

At the start of each test random selections of verbs are taken from a database. Students are expected to add the ending required by the case. At the end of the tests the computer marks the answers.

The verbs are grouped in the database and, if an answer is wrong or if the student asks for help, a hint is given in the form of a list of verbs that have similar endings.

When the tests are completed the computer emails the tutor with results.

The test can be taken at the following URL

The program is contained in a Java applet which reads a data set describing the properties of the verbs. The applet will run on Internet Explorer or Netscape version 4 browsers with Java enabled. There are no special server-side scripts.

This application was written in Java using Borland's JBuilder 1.0 over a period of about six months. The mechanism is reasonably straight-forward but it took a time to sort out the format of the data and determine the user interface. Data is stored in a text file on the server and is read as the Java applet is loaded. The results are posted back by email using a basic SMTP protocol.

The program was written by Mike Beilby in 1998.