Automation of Item Generation and Reporting Of Test Results: Experiences of a University in Nigeria.

Automation of Item Generation and Reporting Of Test Results: Experiences of a University in Nigeria.

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Automation of Item Generation and Reporting Of Test Results: Experiences of a University in Nigeria.

This paper discusses the introduction of the automated test item generation of multiple-choice questions in the evaluation of students’, academic achievement as well as the automation of the scoring and reporting of the outcomes. It traces the introduction to delays experienced in the release of results of examinations taken, sometimes unreliable questions set by examiners and biased scoring of scripts amongst other problems. The paper discusses the procedure adopted by the institution in the generation of items for the various courses that were amenable to the multiple-choice questions test format. Among these were the setting up of examinations committee and an examination centre, the training of examiners in all the faculties of the university, the development of question banks, the development of computer programmes for the automatic generation of items and the variants thereof, the development of programmes for scoring and reporting of results. The objective of early release of results was achieved as well as improved reliability of the examination question. A number of problems, however, beset the system. Among these were the reluctance of examiners to continue to enrich the banks and the sheer number of courses and scripts to be handled. There was also continued resistance to the change from the generally accepted and more commonly used essay question format to the multiple-choice questions format and the automated generation of items and scoring and reporting of test results. There was also the very potent problem of the regulatory institution’,s opposition. The paper concludes by expressing regrets that the match towards the use of computer-based tests has been truncated.Keywords: Automation, Assessment, Item generation, Reporting of test results.

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