Application testing with AVD. Two terms that connect two worlds (Education and IT). Application testing, a term often used among teachers for the applied testing of competencies. AVD, known among IT specialists as the virtual workplaces within the Microsoft Azure environment.
Behind the abbreviation AVD, there is a lot of technology hidden, which ultimately results in the following functionality: A virtual workplace (this is what we call a computer that you can access via the web and that is somewhere ‘on the internet’) that you can call up from any computer. As long as you have an internet connection, address and login details.
With this information you start the virtual workplace and then you have access to everything that has been made available for the application test.
Think of certain files or instructions, test resources such as a calculator and law book, encyclopedia or dictionary. Permitted websites. Applications that need to be worked with such as matchlab, Word, Excel or SPSS.
A teacher determines, taking into account the OER, which composition a test should have. We call this a test image. A recorded image (a template) that we then prepare separately for each student.
There are a number of suppliers who provide an application testing environment as a service. Sometimes using AVD but also using other Lego blocks. Purchasing an environment sounds quite attractive at first. However, there are quite a few catches. For example, the investment threshold is considerable and the school has much less control over AVG and privacy measures. There is also the problem of licenses (for example from Microsoft) that are not designed to be used across multiple environments (different contract relationships).
In addition, schools have a certain dynamic that does not fit the rigid business models of service providers.
It is not without reason that even SURF has not yet come up with a concrete proposition and that the brainstorming sessions remain stuck in exploring the need or some pen sketches of a possible minimal viable product (read: somewhat high-level requirements that a solution should meet.)
Of course. ParaSoll offers a solution that combines the advantages of all available options. A carefree approach to the digital testing environment but within the walls of the school. In your own IT environment. Without high upfront costs. With maximum control over data and security. Set up to your own taste and ready to integrate with Schoolyear.
