THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FUTO JAMB E-EXAMINATION SYSTEM

TASIE KELECHUKWU CHIKEZIRI 20104770948,

B.Eng Electrical/Electronic Engineering

A computer based exam, hence forth to be referred to as CBE, is an exam that is being administered using a computer system. CBE comes up as a solution to the so many challenges faced when administering exam to a large number of people such as in a university environment. One of such challenges faced in administering exam in most Nigerian universities is exam malpractice.

Explain the how the software is supposed to work

Abstract

Electronic examination has three main purposes which includes: -

allowing test-takers at different places to take the test at the same time through the online examination website,

through careful planning and proper coding it enables tests, grading and result checking on the website,

and also to integrate database with the program, allowing teachers easy addition of questions and creation of tests

Purpose of E-Examination

Lack of space Filing poses a problem Filtering is not easy Reviewing becomes time-consuming Result Processing is slow due to paper work

and requirement of staff.

Statement of the problem

The objective of this work is to create a Web application to be used in place of old paper based user examination process.

The use of MySQL database technology to create strong and secured database connectivity.

The system serves and displays the result The application seeks to create functionalities for the

examiner to set his/her questions on the computer and for the students to take the exam(s) and immediately receive an automated feedback of their exam scores.

It can eventually be hosted on a local intranet or on the web server.

Objectives of the Study

eExamination system is designed for FUTO Jamb activities, in conducting POST UME examinations and logic tests of their students on a regular basis.

The system handles all the operations and generates reports as soon as the test is completed which saves the precious time of faculties spent on reviewing answer sheets.

The existing system is weak when it comes to surprise test organizations whereas this system can make it possible very easily.

This work also integrates content management system for easy monitoring of Students and their data. No restriction that examiner has to be present when the candidate takes the test.

Scope of the Study

Question banks and randomisation of questions and response orders to reduce cheating.

Immediate feedback can be given as the marking of the examination is automated and instant.

Online examination can make the student’s life easier because they don’t need any paper and pen to do the examination.

Furthermore, online examination can be effective and efficient. The students don’t waste much time to answer the questions because they only click on the best answer that is provided.

Significance of the Study

Supports only Multiple choice and no Theory Those who don't know about computer for

them online exams are very difficult Internet provides online books which is also

limitation of these exams In the case of system crash exams are not

taken.

Limitations of the Study

E-exams simplify the process by which examinations are delivered, taken and scored electronically. It entails questions being deployed onto computer workstations (intranet and internet) and candidates answering the questions on to the computer. The process of writing exams is thus completely paperless. It is sometimes referred to as CBT (Computer-based testing) or CBA (Computer-Based Assessment).

LITERATURE REVIEW

(McCormack and Jones 1998, Ryan et al 2000) identify advantages of online examination

(Gaytan, 2007) presented a detailed historical background of online education, with regards to its current status, its potentials and limitations that could lead to the advancement of the scholarship of teaching and learning.

 (M’hammed et al, 2007) worked on the challenges in distance learning unit

(Ayo et al, 2007) proposed a model for e-Examination in Nigeria where all applicants are subjected to online entrance examination as a way of curbing the irregularities as proposed by the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB)

Review of related literature

Federal University of Technology Minna, University of Ilorin Covenant University Ota Nigerian Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), to mention but a few

Only NOUN uses internet for the e-exams, while others uses intranet setup within the University environment

Another observation made was that most of these centers are being managed by private company (Electronic Test Company Limited) which is not so good for the integrity of the results.

Analysis of the existing systems used in Nigeria

Ayo et al (2007) and Akinsanmi (2010) presented a 3-tier architecture comprising

the presentation tier, the logic tier and the database tier.

Architecture of the existing system

In most of the centers visited in this research work, students don’t get to see their results immediately after the exams. In some cases, the results may take weeks or even months before it is made available to the students.

This violates one of the main essence of introducing e-exams (instant access to results

E-examination result presentation/checking of existing system

Identification Module Examination Module

Review of theories and models, relevant to the design

When fully implemented, the proposed system will definitely reduce drastically the problems mentioned within the seminar work. These problems includes human interference, impersonation, bribe-taking by lecturers, invigilators and supervisors, too much paper work, examination leakages and also reduce the number of invigilators needed for invigilation. Especially, security will be more effective since the system includes picture capture and data encryption and decryption have been added to the existing design.

Candidates screening is now online and real-time. The system have the tendency of increasing computer literacy, online learning and network security awareness. The result integrity could also be enhanced if the candidates have access to instant result checking. The new system also allows the students to check the corrections at their own wish after the exams.

Future research may be fruitful by examining students’ attitudes and psychological aspects associated with the proposed solution of e-exam user’s authentication. Furthermore, future research may look at the economical issues associated with implementation of such solution.

Conclusion

E-examination has the advantage of being easy to administer, ability to offer applicants instant results, easy verification, devoid of paper work and long time involved in marking examination scripts which in most cases are prone to errors and misplacement of some scripts due to the large volume of scripts that has to be marked and accessed.

If e-examination is introduced into FUTO it will go a long way to control and check examination malpractices and all fraudulent acts associated with the manual process of writing examination. The popularity of this system has the possibility of popularizing e-Learning and online education.

Recommendation