The Nottingham Trent University is upgrading its Perception testing and survey software to version 3 to deliver new features, such as interactive simulations, to its students through its Virtual Learning Portal. This pilot project (live in January 2002) aims to provide Nottingham Trent students with a one-stop-shop for all of their study needs. This will include access to email accounts, timetables, course details and feedback, as well as formative and summative tests online.

Trevor Pull, the IT co-ordinator for the faculty of Humanities at the university , commented, "We have run a local pilot project supported by the Institutional Learning & Teaching strategy and have been so impressed with Questionmark Perception at faculty level that we have recommended it is used more widely throughout the university to provide an interactive, online support mechanism for our traditional learning methods. The advanced features of version 3 lend themselves so well to the requirements of universities."

Pull continues, "With facilities like interactive simulations we are able to make learning far more enjoyable for our students. In addition, the increased number of question wizards allows us to vary the structure and presentation of our questions for added interest. And, specifically for the language department, the gap filling capabilities in version 3 offer the opportunity for extensive comprehension testing. With these and other features, we believe that the Perception software keeps us at the cutting edge of e-learning."

Through its Virtual Learning Portal, Nottingham Trent aims to deliver standard tests and surveys to its students in all subjects taught by the university. Delivery online will enable those students to participate in tests whenever is most convenient and as often as they wish, to suit their individual needs. The university anticipates the portal providing largely formative tests to begin with (testing skills without impacting final course results) rather than summative tests (official exams) where security issues need to be addressed.