Although online tests are often associated with student assessment, online testing tools can be used in many different ways. Yes, online assessment is possible, allowing for students to complete tests for grades. On the other hand, online quiz tools can also be used for collecting information from students such as their understanding of course content prior, during and after the course. These same principles could also be applied to individual class or topic. Knowing what the students understand is usefully to gauge and anticipate what information should be covered in class. The results of such self-tests can also be presented back to the students to show that you recognize where they are at with the content.
Online tests can be created in Blackboard with the results organized and summarized in the GradeCenter. Breeze has a similar but less robust testing feature, and is intended for student self-assessment and feedback only. To create online tests in Drupal take a look at the quiz module for a basic quiz tool.
