Documentation:Scantron

The scantron is a testing tool used for quick and efficient test marking and uploading. The Datalink Scantron comes with a Datalink software package that can be used to help analyze the results of tests. Please note that tests must be done on patented DataLink Sidekick sheets.

Equipment:

1. To use the Scantron system, you will need the following.
2. The Datalink Sidekick(the scantron machine)
3. The Datalink software CD
4. A Type B standard USB cable
5. A power cable.

Connection between Scantron and the computer

How to Set Up the Datalink system:

1. Insert the Datalink CD into your computer and install the software
2. Connect the Datalink Sidekick to a power source using the power cable
3. Connect the Datalink Sidekick to your computer using the Type B standard USB cable
4. Ensure the light on the Datalink Sidekick is green, if it is orange the system is not ready yet
5. Calibrate the Datalink Sidekick form using one of the scantron calibration sheets

The scantron system is now ready to use.

How to use Datalink software:

The first thing that needs to be done is implementing an answer key. There are three ways to do this. You can manually implement a key by filling in the key circle at the top left corner of the Scantron form, and filling out the correct answers in the form, then scan the form. The second way involves going to File->Create Key, and fill in the form number. Add an instructor Name and fill in the answers to the table provided, then click save to file. You can also upload answers from a CSV file. input your answers line by line into an excel file, and save as a CSV file. Go to the Datalink Software application and click "Save to File" followed by "Send to Grid."

The next step is to scan all the test answers. Feed the scantron forms into the Datalink Sidekick one by one, ensure that these forms are face up and enter the top end first. The Datalink software will record all the answers and mark them for you. After all the sheets are done, you can upload your grades to Excel by clicking the "Upload to Excel" button.

how to insert the scantron sheet

You can also upload your grades to blackboard by first exporting a copy of the gradebook from blackboard. There are two ways to merge your grade book with your scanned data.
The first way involves using MS Access Import the two spreadsheets into Access as tables. Include the first row as column headers and import all of the columns. Create a Query in Access and Add and show the two tables into the Query. Join the two tables by Student ID. For the Query, add all the fields in the gradebook center and only the percentage and/or the scores from the results table. Run the query. The system will match the individual scores with the student number. save the file as a CSV file, and upload your grades to connect using the grade center.

If you wish to use excel, Copy the gradebook into an excel file, and copy the grading results from the scantron form into the same file on a different table. In the Gradebook spreadsheet there is column named Quiz1 and you want to fill column Quiz1 with the scores in “sheet1“. To do this, you can use the following script formula in the row cells for Quiz1.=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(D2,Sheet1!B$2:E$88,4,FALSE))=TRUE,” “,VLOOKUP(D2,Sheet1!B$2:E$88,4,FALSE)). This script will merge the two table together. Save the file as a CSV file and upload the grade to connect using the grade center.