College of Staten Island/CUNY using OWL Testing Software

Jan. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- PITTSBURGH, PA - OWL Testing Software, a premier provider of affordable web-based testing and assessment systems, announced today that the Department of Modern Languages at the College of Staten Island (CSI)/City University of New York (CUNY) is using OWL Testing Software. The department is using OWL for oral language testing of more than 800 students for all proficiency levels of French, Spanish and Italian. The Department of Modern Languages plans to expand their use of the language assessment software to include Mandarin Chinese and Basic Arabic in the Spring 2011 semester.

The Department of Modern Languages at the College of Staten Island/CUNY selected OWL based on the software's superior functionality and flexibility in the three important components of the assessment cycle – test building, test administration and test evaluation. Specifically, the Department of Modern Languages sited OWL's integration of multimedia into oral tests as critical. Also, the ability to design customized exams for different languages and levels of proficiency was an important contribution to their choice of OWL. Furthermore, the Department of Modern Languages chose OWL for the software's many features that help to control assessments in a large language- or computer-lab environment. For example, multiple options for randomization help ensure student integrity. Other controls, such as the ability to time students' responses and control how many times students can see or hear an input for video and audio questions, further facilitate and control test proctoring.

The Department of Modern Languages also sited OWL's robust online assessment module as a key determining factor. With OWL, the department can design built-in rubrics and apply different rubrics to different parts of an oral exam. Also important  is OWL's voice and text feedback system which allows raters to give direct verbal feedback to the test taker. This feature both automates and enhances the language learning process.

“As a Language Lab Director, one of my top priorities is to find ways to gain efficiencies and free valuable lab resources.”  According to Valeria Belmonti, Director of the Modern Languages Media Center at the College of Staten Island, “In this regard, it is extremely beneficial to use one platform across multiple languages and levels of learning. Training efficiencies are quickly realized by having students and professors using the same software. By selecting a versatile online assessment software that is hosted remotely, those efficiencies are further amplified.”  Ms. Belmonti continues, “OWL's ability to generate reports makes it easy to record and analyze the results of our programs.”

“The OWL Hosting Team is happy to serve the Department of Modern Languages at the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York.” Chris Dalessandri, OWL Testing Software president and CEO, explains, “OWL Testing Software's Web-based platform for language assessments is used by organizations around the world. By selecting OWL, The Department of Modern Languages reinforces the college's goal of providing a state-of-the-art, global classroom for all students.” Mr. Dalessandri continues, “We look forward to working with CSI/CUNY's Department of Modern Languages to further understand the efficiencies that using OWL contributes to a large language-lab environment.”

About OWL Testing Software
OWL Testing Software is a leading provider of test building software to academia, business, and government markets. Built as a Web-based solution for test creation, administration, and management, OWL Testing Software is unique in its ability to create tests for all four communication skills – oral, aural, reading and writing. OWL is available as licensed software and as a hosted solution to meet the needs of organizations concerned with enhancing the learning and assessment process. For more information, please visit www.owlts.com or call (877) 695-3305.

About CUNY/College of Staten Island
The College of Staten Island (CSI) is a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation’s leading urban university, offering master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s degrees in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies to approximately 14,000 students.  The 204-acre landscaped campus of CSI, the largest in NYC, is fully accessible and contains an advanced, networked infrastructure to support technology-based teaching, learning, and research. Master’s programs at CSI include Biology; Business Management; Cinema & Media Studies; Computer Science; Education (Childhood (Elementary), Adolescence (Secondary), and Special Education); English; Environmental Science; History; Liberal Studies; Mental Health Counseling; Neuroscience, Mental Retardation, and Developmental Disabilities; and Nursing (Adult Health and Gerontological). In addition to the 43 undergraduate and 15 Master’s degree programs, students at CSI can earn a Post Master’s in Leadership in Education and Nursing (Adult Health and Gerontological), as well as advanced certificates in Nursing (Cultural Competence and Nursing Education.) CSI participates in the University’s Macaulay Honors College. CSI is also home to the Teacher Education Honors Academy and The Verrazano School, a selective program that expands upon the college’s successful Learning Communities model. CSI offers Doctoral programs jointly with The Graduate Center of The City University of New York in Biochemistry, Biology (Neuroscience), Chemistry, Computer Science, Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Physics.  For more information please visit: www.csi.cuny.edu or www.csitoday.com or www.ml.csi.cuny.edu.

Chris Dalessandri
President
OWL Testing Software
(877) 695-3305
chris@owlts.com

Valeria Belmonti
Director, Modern Languages Media Center
College of Staten Island
(718) 982-3711
valeria.belmonti@csi.cuny.edu

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OWL Testing Software is a premier provider of affordable Web-based testing and assessment systems for academia, government, and business users.