Specification of the Verity Learning Companion and Self-Assessment Tool

In this paper, the specification of Verity, a webbased instructional tool, is presented. Verity is intended to be used as a learning assistant and self-assessment tool, more than a web-based testing system. This represents a new approach to web-based instruction. Specifically, the purpose of the Verity software tool is twofold: first, to assist the students in their study by providing supporting information, sample examples, exercises and problems related to a given course and, second, to allow the students self-evaluate their knowledge of course material through sets of multiple-choice questionnaires. Both assistance from the instructor to the student and feedback from the students to the instructor are supported by a web-based implementation solution. Verity’s main components are described in the paper and the tool’s functionality is outlined. A discussion of possible extensions is also included.