YouTestMe is a Canadian global project, developed by Malloc Incorporated, whose headquarters are in Toronto, Ontario. The concept and philosophy behind the project are relatively new in the e-learning sphere and are based upon utilizing tools rather than creating new content. YouTestMe is intended to help the teachers and instructors in the class and test management by automating all aspects included in the process.
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The project was started by Zoran Kukoljac who donated his development methodology to a group of master's degree students from the University of Belgrade. The project grew in size and scope over time and now includes student groups from various different colleges and universities.
History
The initial idea was conceived in 2006 with the aim of changing the industry of e-learning. However the technology to start developing software was not established - it took 5 years to lay down the groundwork and create the technologies required to develop future e-learning systems. The development process finally began in the late 2011, based in the field of Java programming and Linux operating system.
The initial idea about YouTestMe was revolved around the testing process (creation, distribution and taking) and sending reports to test takers and managers via email. However, after 3 years of development, in 2014, YouTestMe - Starter was born as the first stable system.
Later development, based upon YouTestMe - Starter, brought forth several products and projects - both mobile and web-based.
Timeline
YouTestMe - Starter
The first system was designed and developed around the main feature - a test generator. The idea behind this system was to turn the focus away from creating content in the LMS systems to developing tools able to automate the knowledge evaluation process.
However, as a first system, YouTestMe - Starter was lacking in the lessons module - there was no way to teach and hold training sessions attendants/students within the system. It included all of the basic modules other software implemented, such as courses, classes, grading systems, notifications, etc. Since its main purpose was to put a useful tool into users' hands rather than provide content, the lesson module was never implemented.
YouTestMe - Classroom 2020
This system is based upon YouTestMe - Starter, with additional features, updated interface and improved performance. The philosophy behind the application design remained the same - providing excellent-quality tools rather than providing expert content. It was designed by to oppose the rising LMS trend in the e-learning industry, providing everything an LMS has, but with added functionalities. It was tested and developed as a project by students of several universities, some of which used the project for their master's degree exams.
Mobile
The first mobile YouTestMe application - Entrance Exam (original Serbian translation: "Prijemni za srednju") is designed for students in the 8th grade of Serbian Elementary Schools - more precisely, those that are about to transition into High School. The application is limited to the Android platform exclusively, since it is the most dominant platform in Serbia. The application was designed with the purpose to enable all students in Serbia to practice Entrance Exam questions on their Android devices. The questions are extracted from the official workbooks issued by the Government of Serbia.