GTU to e-assess for early results
Varsity had experimented with
electronic assessment in 2009 for ME students; intends to use the system for BE
students
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Tuesday, September 11, 2012 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2012091120120911005502677d525c1e/GTU-to-eassess-for-early-results.html)
Posted On Tuesday, September 11, 2012 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2012091120120911005502677d525c1e/GTU-to-eassess-for-early-results.html)
Gujarat Technological University
(GTU) will implement a new e-assessment system this semester to cut down on the
time required in evaluating answer books and declaring result. The pilot
project will begin with students of two years and based on the learning, the
system will be extended to all students, officials said. Currently, the
university employs a manual system in which it takes up to four months to
complete the process of declaring results after the end of an examination.
The university expects to cut down
on the duration by 80 per cent. “Apart from benefitting the students with early
result, the system will ensure complete transparency in the evaluation process.
New technology is available now and we have been inviting expression of
interest for providing e-assessment service,” said GTU Vice Chancellor Akshai
Aggarwal.
TRANSPERANCY TO BE ENSURED
Transparency will be ensured by making evaluated answer books available for viewing by students and parents. However, answer books of only those students who give their consent will be put on display on the university’s web site, he clarified. GTU has more than 400 affiliated colleges across the state and conducts examinations of almost 4 lakh students in about 50 streams and 2000 subjects leading to evaluation of about 29 lakh answers scripts in one academic term (twice a year). The manual system of coding, mixing, couriering answer books and decoding them is very tedious and takes months.
The proposed system will do away with a lot of tiresome steps. Dr Aggarwal pointed out that the university had tried use of technology in 2009 in the evaluation of ME papers. “Technology has changed since. Bangalore University and Saurashtra University are using the system to good use,” he said. The cost of the project is yet to be worked out. Much depends on the kind of technology agencies entrusted with the digital distribution of the answer books uses and confidentiality and speed it offers, Dr Aggarwal said. Under the new system, all answer books are scanned before those from different centres are mixed.
The scanned copies are then mailed to the evaluators who award marks or grades online, thus cutting down on the time in couriering the books back and forth. The system ensures security as it authenticates the examiners before giving them access to books. Moderation of answer books will also be incorporated in the system.
TRANSPERANCY TO BE ENSURED
Transparency will be ensured by making evaluated answer books available for viewing by students and parents. However, answer books of only those students who give their consent will be put on display on the university’s web site, he clarified. GTU has more than 400 affiliated colleges across the state and conducts examinations of almost 4 lakh students in about 50 streams and 2000 subjects leading to evaluation of about 29 lakh answers scripts in one academic term (twice a year). The manual system of coding, mixing, couriering answer books and decoding them is very tedious and takes months.
The proposed system will do away with a lot of tiresome steps. Dr Aggarwal pointed out that the university had tried use of technology in 2009 in the evaluation of ME papers. “Technology has changed since. Bangalore University and Saurashtra University are using the system to good use,” he said. The cost of the project is yet to be worked out. Much depends on the kind of technology agencies entrusted with the digital distribution of the answer books uses and confidentiality and speed it offers, Dr Aggarwal said. Under the new system, all answer books are scanned before those from different centres are mixed.
The scanned copies are then mailed to the evaluators who award marks or grades online, thus cutting down on the time in couriering the books back and forth. The system ensures security as it authenticates the examiners before giving them access to books. Moderation of answer books will also be incorporated in the system.
