From online entrance exams to coaching classes to open source learning platforms and blended learning model, 2016 was all about digital transformation in education system. Experts talk about the trends
Education has witnessed massive transformations, negating the limitation of time and space in education delivery. The evolution of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is democratising high quality education.
Examinations, a critical aspect determining success of education, have evolved exponentially. The first instances of high stake computer-based exams in India witnessed in 2003 and since then exam boards have adopted computer-based exams mainly for entrance examinations.
IIM CAT entrance exam was among the first popular high stake exams that went online. Its initial hiccups had almost stalled the progress made in adoption of computer-based tests in India. But the successful comeback in 2010 gave confidence for more and more boards to adopt this method.
In 2010, MeritTrac, along with EDGE and Value Notes did a structured study to learn thoughts on the introduction of technology. The thought behind the introduction of technology in examinations showed around 68 per cent of Indian examination bodies planned to leverage technology and use computer-based examinations. According to the study, over 75 per cent of the students perceived transparency as a major benefit. Over 68 per cent also believed that computer-based tests offer accurate and timely results.
About 62 per cent of the respondents had concern over the availability and quality of infrastructure. Reliable support was also highlighted as a key concern for computer-based tests.
“The Automated Integrated Examination System (AIES) is the need of the hour with appropriate security measures. If effective measures and architecture are introduced in the Indian university examination system, it will go a long way to instill efficiency in the examination system and will be able to check the examination malpractices and fraudulent acts associated with the management of examination system,” quoted in a research paper presented by Amar Jeet Singh, a professor from the department of Computer Science, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, and his colleague Mohini.
What has changedIJ
Indian education system has witnessed a massive migration of paper-based tests to computer-based tests. Today, over 100 examination bodies have migrated their entrance examinations to the computer-based mode. With the recent UGC directive mandating universities to adopt technology for admissions, this number is expected to be increase.
While these transformations have been happening, the use of technology in examinations has been limited to entrance examinations. The vast majority of other examinations — summative / term-end examinations are still following traditional models, exposing itself to inefficiencies and security threats.
Technology for Summative Exams
The next big technological revolution in examinations is the concept of digital evaluation or what is also called the On-Screen Marking. A few large examination boards have adopted this technology and reaped rich benefits. This method of on-screen marking has allowed examination bodies to enhance quality of evaluation of descriptive answer scripts while ensuring transparency and security. They have also succeeded in publishing results earlier. The ability of this technology to allow evaluators to evaluate from home also leads to greater convenience for the examination body and its evaluators. This is a technology widely used in most developed countries. The initial success of on-screen marking in India will have a ripple effect.
large and prestigious examination bodies have been looking for solutions that can help their exams be secure, transparent and efficient. A challenge with these high stake exams is they are vulnerable to risks and frauds. Ensuring security of question paper has been a priority. Question paper printing, transit and storage have been vulnerable to leaks. These instances could lead to reputational risks and legal challenges. How can technology make these examinations more secureIJ
Another milestone is just-in-time question paper management which is a process of managing question paper security through technology to ensure a question paper is not exposed till the time of examination. The question bank managed by the examination body generates question papers which are accessible at the test centre by only the designated official minutes before the examination. The solution prints the exact number of question papers as required in the centre under surveillance, thereby ensuring its security. This technology, coupled with on-screen marking has helped universities administer secure exams and quick turnaround of results.
After successful adoption of computer-based examinations, digital evaluation and just-in-time question paper management are the next big transformations that will be witnessed in the education industry. With increased fairness, security, transparency and faster turnaround time, students will be the greatest beneficiaries.
“Assessment should be designed to test a learner on various aspects of learning. A manual approach to designing a test paper would not be able to cater to this requirement. An automated approach would allow the process of designing test paper to be more efficient and effective,” says Ashok Immanuel, Tulasi B, faculty at Christ University, Bengaluru, in a research paper titled Framework for Automatic Examination Paper Generation System.
(The writer is Nagendran Sundararajan, executive vice-president, MeritTrac Services)