CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
It is widely believed that all tests will one day
be delivered on a computer of some sort (Bennett, 1998, 2002). However, it is
difficult to accurately predict when this day will come. It has seemingly been
just around the corner since the early 1990s, when a handful of early adopters,
including the ASVAB (Sands, Waters, & McBride, 1997) and the GRE® (Mills,
1999), signed on to computerbased testing (CBT). Today, dozens of admissions,
placement, certification, and licensure testing programs are administered on
computer, with the number growing each year. On the K–12 front, several states
already conduct their annual accountability testing on computer, and many
others are poised to join in. Hundreds of schools or districts also employ CBTs
in a formative or diagnostic role in service of instruction.
Computer-based
testing (CBT) is an efficient way for test sponsors to provide a secure,
consistent environment forcertification and licensure while significantly
enhancing the candidate experience. It is common for testing volumes to
increase after a full conversion from paper-based testing (PBT) to CBT, often
as a result of the availability of a greater number of testing locations and
more flexible scheduling and testing opportunities. Migration from PBT to CBT
does affect candidate behavior, however, and it is possible for some testing
programs to experience brief reductions in demand triggered by candidate
apprehension regarding CBT. This sometimes results in either a last-minute
increase in testing during final PBT administrations or candidate
procrastination to the last available computerized testing date. Therefore, the
question facing licensing organizations is how to keep test volumes up and
candidate uncertainty down when migrating from a paper-based to a computer-based
test?
The
key to mitigating test volume risk and ultimately driving an increase in demand
is ongoing marketing, candidate education and outreach. In terms of promoting
the new computerized testing program, marketing and effective communication can
have an important impact on stakeholder acceptance of CBT and comfort with its
use.
In
order to allay candidate fears and minimize questions, it is prudent to launch
a communications campaign early in the conversion process that directly
addresses constituent concerns and promotes sustainable program interest.
1.2 Statement
of the problem
The
challenges faced with paper based test is overwhelming, they include but not
limited to exam malpractice, inaccuracy in marking, delay in marking results.
1.3 Objectives
of the study
The nain objective of the research
project is to design and implement an online computer based test system.
Specific objectives of the research paper are:
1. To develop a CBT system that
automatically generates exam numbers for students.
2. To develop a CBT system with enhanced
security features to avoid exam malpractice.
3. To design a CBT system with real time
processing of results for candidates.
1.6 Significance of the study
This study is intended to assist in some small way
those practitioners who are struggling with the decision of whether to test on
computer and how they might best go about doing so. It is not intended to
provide an introduction to the important methods and to the considerations that
dictate use of those methods. It is far from comprehensive in this regard. To
make truly informed decisions, one would need to be at least conversant if not
quite familiar with most of the references listed here. In short, this is not a
roadmap intended to precisely direct practitioners on their journey to
computerized delivery, but rather more a guidebook highlighting some of the
landmarks they will likely visit along the way. As with all trips, we need to
start by deciding whether the attractions of the destination outweigh the
rigors of travel.
1.7 Scope/Limitations
of the study
This study covered the design and implementation
of an online computer based test system, using SpringLight Technology as the
case study.
Limitations of
study
1.
Financial
constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the
researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information
and in the process of data collection through the internet, questionnaire and
interview.
Time constraint- The researcher simultaneously engaged
in this study with other academic work. This consequently cut down on the time
devoted for the research work.
1.8 Background of
SpringLight Technology
SpringLight Technology is an
Information Technology Company that is registered with the corporate affairs
commission as a corporate body in 2015, under the Companies and Allied Matters
Decree No 1, 1990 in Abuja Nigeria. Prior to this period, the firm operated as
an online platform that provides solutions for businesses and has grown into a
company with a physical presence in our current location.
SpringLight Info Tech since then has rapidly grown to an
organization with other units like the ICT Academy, ICT Unit that does software
development, web development Data analysis, graphics designs, search engine
optimization, consulting, content development and a research Unit.
1.8 Definition of terms
Computer
Based Test (CBT): Is the use of information
technology for any assessment-related activity.
Design:
Is the creation of a plan or
convention for the construction of an object or a system.
Implement:
To put (a decision, plan, agreement, etc.) into effect.