Naveed A. Malik Virtual University of Pakistan
Background The problem Dimensions of the problem Major issues/conflicting requirements IT to the rescue May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) delivers education through innovative uses of IT VU conducts its courses under a formal semester system with a defined academic calendar Video lectures are delivered through: – free-to-air television on VU’s TV channels – Data DVDs – Youtube: May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Student-teacher interaction is through a comprehensive Learning Management System ◦ Examinations: ◦ Formal proctored examinations ◦ Twice a semester (midterm and finals) ◦ Conducted at dedicated exam centers (f2f) May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Large student body ◦ Nearly 60,000 students and growing! Scattered all over the country ◦ 95 cities and more… Admissions twice a year ◦ Average annual intake is ~25,000 students 160+ courses offered every semester May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Full time students – Normal course load – Mostly as per scheme of studies Working students – Partial course load – Variety of course distributions – Limited study times/exam days/hours Stragglers and certificate students – Can take any course in any semester May 24, 2010LINC 2010
How can the University conduct mid and final term examinations in a secure, convenient, time-limited and efficient manner? May 24, 2010LINC 2010
How to create a datesheet (exam schedule) that satisfies all students How to ensure: ◦ Secure distribution of question papers ◦ Sanctity of examinations across the country ◦ Efficient and secure collection of answer sheets ◦ Grading within an acceptable time frame May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Exam centers must run at capacity if exams are to be conducted in a reasonable amount of time (number of days) but Working students prefer evening hours or weekends for exams Full time students prefer morning times, weekdays for their papers May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Commuting students prefer mid-day times! Students prefer to have gaps between papers Management Issues: Mismatch in exam start timings can lead to examination leaks across the country Ensuring proper invigilation across all centers is a nightmare May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Allow students flexibility in choosing their examination dates/times on a first-come first-served basis and run centers at full capacity to minimize the total duration of the exams May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Allowing students to create their own individual datesheets on a first come first served basis: ◦ Can only work if students receive distinct question papers ◦ Can be done by creating a question bank and automating the process! May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Question Bank Student created individual datesheets Distinct paper generation Encryption and security Conduct Grading Result May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Includes MCQs and Essay type questions Questions identified by ◦ Syllabus topic / Lecture number ◦ Difficulty level ◦ Type of skill being assessed ◦ Etc. New questions added on daily basis Old/overused questions retired after each examination May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Determine: ◦ the total number of (Students*Subjects) ◦ the capacity of exam centers (computer seats) And hence Determine and define grid of: ◦ Exam Centers ◦ Exam days (including weekends) ◦ Exam times (multiple sessions in a day) May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Students log-in to Select the City where they wish to appear Choose Exam Center within the selected city Their current semester subjects are displayed For each subject, they: ◦ Select day/date ◦ Select session time ◦ Confirm May 24, 2010LINC 2010
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Based on datesheet data, exam dept knows: ◦ Center Date Time Subject, No. of papers required ..... ◦..... May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Academic staffs provides paper parameterspaper parameters System generates required number of distinct question papers May 24, 2010LINC 2010
All e-papers for a center are collected Dispatched by / transferred to a CD and sent via courier Cannot be opened before date/time and then only with passwords which are NOT provided beforehand Questions are doubly encrypted anyway and cannot be read except through software May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Exam software and encrypted data are loaded onto exam center servers using file password Session password is sent to the invigilator by /SMS on exam day 5-10 minutes before exam Data for only a single session is unlocked Students log in and are given their question paper according to their datesheet May 24, 2010LINC 2010
At end of each day, an exam file containing student answers is sent back to VU by from each center Contains data for all sessions for the day Files are uploaded into the grading system and MCQs marked automatically May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Student attempts are collected and sorted by question All attempts for one question are given to a single tutor for grading Grading rubric/reference is provided by QB Ensures anonymity and uniformity May 24, 2010LINC 2010
Result is collated by the system Declared at one go Students receive their results in their Learning Management System (LMS) gradebooks Semester and subject positions and campus- wise results also declared May 24, 2010LINC 2010
IT Works! May 24, 2010LINC 2010
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