Automated Universal Testing and tutoring system for WEB application

This paper presents an Automated Universal Testing and tutoring system for Web application(AUTOWEB) for grading and tutoring on-line assignments. Based on WATIR, a retrogression testing tool, the system simulates actions of human being and automatically interprets and executes test cases specified for tutoring students. AUTOWEB can automatically generate an animation demo for each failed test case, showing step by step how a student submission fails a requirement. Further textual hint (prepared by faculty) will be shown to students. In addition, the system can dynamically demonstrate the project requirement specification online that shows the page layouts and functionalities required. For collaboration, students can also design and upload their own test cases in addition to those prepared by instructors. AUTOWEB is unique in its ability to interact with web GUI applications developed in any languages and deployed on any platforms, that is the reason why we call it universal system. AUTOWEB provides instant feedback to students, which enriches their learning experiences significantly.