Paper vs. Web: The Pros and Cons of Exams
The popularity of online tests goes hand in hand with the number of
virtual classrooms existing today. The more computers are available to
the students, the better to experiment with ways of making them work
for the benefit of everyone.
Grading, checking, evaluating and assessing -- these tasks used to be made easier by Optical Mark Reading,
the simplest way to involve computers in the assessment process. From
NSAT exams to standardized entrance exams, it was then the easiest way
to evaluate students’ potentials on paper.
With the proliferation of Local Area Network installations, database
administration features for automatic scoring and reporting, and Web
software, the Internet has reigned supreme as a powerful environment
for learning and teaching.
Paper-based exams
Before, there was the OMR or even the traditional test paper.
Students didn’t need any computers, just a classroom, a familiar
setting for everyone used to the traditional paper-based assessments.
The OMR is objective and reliable, counting the little shaded dots as
they go along. However, OMR systems need specialist software and
scanners, as well as customized pre-printed answer sheets.
Web-based exams
Now, Web-based exams mean test papers are stored on a server, and
are just made available to students when they launch a Web browser like
Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. Exams are completed online and
immediately checked by the server software. Teachers can simply just
retrieve the grades later.
It is easy to set up and use, and the tests could be made with free
software using different types of questions. Students can easily access
it, anytime and anywhere they are ready to take the exam, and the
teacher can even upload sample exams to better prepare the student for
the exams he or she has to take.
Most of the time, teachers can modify the test options such as in the following:
- Add or delete students who qualify to take the test.
- Add, modify, or delete questions for the test bank.
- View the entire test bank.
- Grade and show results.
Even the choices for multiple answer questions can reach up to 26 possible answers!
The electronic nature of online exams makes it imperative for
teachers to continuously update, generate and edit the exams, making
online exams quite beneficial for all.
Sources:
Braun, Gerald, Tesch, Debbie and Brian Depinet. “A Web-based quiz generation tool using active server pages.” Retrieved April 8, 2009 from http://www.isedj.org/isecon/2001/08a/ISECON.2001.Braun.pdf
Orr, John Lindsay. “Web-based Proficiency Exams and Mastery Learning in Mathematics.” Retrieved April 8, 2009 from http://www.elearn.malts.ed.ac.uk/services/CAA/methods.phtml
(Published 20 April 2009, Smart Communications, Inc.)
