The program, known as Tripartite Interactive Assessment Delivery System (TRIADS), was developed by the University of Derby.

The system will not replace all traditional exams

It is undergoing trials in 37 departments in 25 UK universities, covering 18 academic disciplines.

A two-day conference is being held at Derby to discuss progress on the project, which began eight years ago.

At the conference, the university formally opened a Centre for Interactive Assessment Delivery at its Kedleston Road campus to develop technology in this field.

The centre's Director, Professor Don Mackenzie, said: "Our aim has been to develop a system that poses as few constraints as possible in relation to question design, so that the tutor has the freedom to develop innovative questions that really probe knowledge and understanding.

Not a replacement

"TRIADS is a tremendous step forward in on-line assessment. It gives students instant feedback and provides a powerful tool for learning.

An interactive isochron plot for granodiorites

"It does not mean the demise of the role of the lecturer, but relieves tutors of repetitive marking and allows them more time to focus on effective tutorial work."

The developers say the system is designed to overcome many of the criticisms commonly directed at computer-delivered assessment, such as the potential for guesswork and lack of flexibility.

It provides more than 30 generic question styles, many of which can test understanding as well as knowledge. Multimedia elements can be included.

"Some of the question styles offer the potential to substantially enhance the quality of assessment in areas previously thought to be impossible to test easily on computer," a spokesman said.

Feedback

"Others have built-in facilities for randomisation of data, images or answers for selection so that tutors can take advantage of more open and flexible assessment - allowing students to take tests via the Web anywhere on campus, at home or abroad."

The results can be sent electronically to the tutor for checking. Or they can be displayed to the students, with feedback in the form of text written by tutors, additional graphics, links to Web pages or interactive software related to the their course.

In some cases, questions have a time limit on them to prevent students going away and looking up the answers. And sometimes, students will be given slightly different questions so that they cannot copy from each other.

Professor Mackenzie says this means they will not be able to cheat.

The system is not intended to replace the strictly invigilated exam where absolutely no research is allowed.