Question repository and test paper generator - Literature review Example

?Question repository and test paper generator Definition and Question repository and test paper generator is a software that allows you to create an online question bank for several programs, classes, chapters and store data in an organized manner as well as creating online tests that are mutually beneficial for both the examiner and the student. (Du, 2012a) The online examination system features fully automated web based examination software that registers students online and centralized administrator controls with all its features customizable. The online examination system is able to register users, add additional questions to the question bank and prepare reports after the completion of the test. The online examination system provides a user friendly interface with all the features of any original examination system. The online examination system conducts exams using multiple-choice questions, gap-fills and open questions. The online examination system provides a platform where the teachers can easily conduct tests as they do not have to waste time on checking the test of each individual student and students can easily give exams. The system is convenient for students as they don’t need to worry about things like pens and teachers will only need to prepare the basic question-bank once with the system allowing addition of additional questions later. The online examination system has two users classified as Administrators and the students. (Jin & Lin, 2012) The administrators are the typical examiners and are responsible for the management of users, tests to be conducted, subjects, questions and results. These administrators also manage system backup and recovery strategies. The second user of the system is the student who uses it to sit for examinations. The students take exams in the front desk using usernames and passwords given to them by the administrators. (Yang, 2011) The system shall distribute questions to the student automatically and start the countdown for the students to complete the test within the stipulated time, and submit answers to the server. Depending on the type of exam, the system divides the questions into objective and subjective questions, with papers being corrected by the system and the teachers. The system shall aggregate final results, and students can check their scores on the system breaking the time and space constraints of traditional test, and achieve paperless office. The online examination system supports the management of users, questions, subjects and results of course. The system is fully automated and it evaluates thoroughly and does calculations of the tests done providing test summary and results summary to both the test conductor and the student. Students can check their results online. The online examination system shall be all browsers compatible to give all its users the best experience with different browsers. In each management section there shall be a provision of a searching option providing a ‘what you see is what you’ get editor to make preparations of questions easier. The system shall also provide some Indic language support. Advantages of online exam system The advantage of the online examination is that it can be conducted for candidates in remote areas and evaluation of answers can be fully automated for multiple choice questions. Depending on the type of the questions and the requirements, essay type questions can be evaluated through the system. The system allows for examinations to be conducted at any time as per the availability and convenience of the users and reduction of costs substantially since there is no paper work involved like printing exam papers and preparing paper admissions. (Peter, 2004) The examination results could be viewed just after the exams and there is an option to display the correct answer or hints, for formative testing. There are no distribution expenses for the question papers since the papers would not be distributed to different locations. There are no invigilators involved and also there is no need for arrangement of examination centres .The cost for conducting an online exam system is almost zero without considering the establishment and maintenance costs. The online examination system also offers secure exams as papers could be kept confidential and there are no chances of leakage. The system automatically stores information, so there is no chance of losing data in case a power failure or internet failure occurs. Data stored in the system is accessible for comparison even after years to produce customized reports which could help get the desired statistical data. Questions cannot be changed from the question bank at last minute and no two or more examinees would receive questions of the same order at the same time. With the online examination system a substantial amount f time and energy is saved if we compare with the production and distribution of the traditional paper exams. The online examination system allows for multiple subjects or disciplines to be tested online with the examiners able to create multiple exams. The examiners and question setters can work independently and from any place. Also the examination could be take from anywhere at any time. (Peter, 2004) Challenges facing the online examination system Most online examination systems use web bases commercial sources like web ct, blackboard or software developed in-house.the software is not widely used due to security vulnerabilities and hence the system can only rely on student’s honesty or the students having an honour code. The online examination systems have become more efficient than before and there is need to have an advanced secure online exam system by group cryptography using remote monitoring and control of ports and input. (Jung. I.Y, 2009) The online examination system also faces the challenge of identifying the users and also unauthorised access to the system by users in the network who are using other clients. Identifying the users The users of the online examination system can be identified by using special all round view cameras and finger print recognition device. Both the camera and finger print device shall be at one location of the examination hall and shall check the students from the database collected and stored in the registration department. The camera and the finger print scanner inside the examination hall are connected to the server using the star topology. The security server authenticates the biometrics of the user, allowing the user to take the exam at the provided examination terminal. The cameras can also be used to monitor the examination hall activities other than just being used for identification purposes. Prevent interference by users in the network using other clients Unauthorized login by students from different internet protocols into the domain who maybe are attempting to take examinations for their fellow students can be prevented by creating a domain which has the set of the students’ user id’s allocated by the institution domain. The instructor can now add all the user id’s of students of his/her course and then he/she shall give the students specific permissions like reading and writing for the specific time of the course exam. Students trying to login using different internet protocols cannot use the allocated domain as the system is now secure. Proposed system The special examination group shall be created by grouping the internet protocols or hostnames of clients in a specific location, that is, the examination hall and time. Different types of biometrics shall be used as a means to log into the exam in order to avoid malpractice in the exams. The camera and finger print scanner shall be used to identify the students by relating the student’s biometrics to the data stored in the server domain. The software shall screen to check whether a student is eligible for a particular exam. After the user has been identified, he/she shall login into the system using the user-id and password provided by the university. The user is then authenticated by the server allowing him/her to open the exam from the server and unauthorized users who attempt to log into the system shall be blocked by the system. The timer shall go on once the session begins and the student should complete his/her exam within the allocated and when the time is up, the system shall send an alert login off the user. Procedure of operation The online examination system shall identify the students by using the biometrics which takes the fingerprints and picture before entry to the exam. The system also confirms if the particular student is eligible for the exam. Using the username and password allocated by the university domain, the student can now login into the university domain. The user now writes his/her username and password and if the login details are correct, he/she logins into the exam. After successful login, the student shall complete the exam file which is located in the domain desktop window. Students who have successfully logged into the exam domain are now given the online exam supervisor password which gives them access to the exam and the exam session commences for the particular exam. The students now write the random questions issued and submit the answers to the server at the end of the session. The system generates the results and the students can check their performance. References Agarwal, D., Chevassut, O., Thompson, M.R., and Tsudik, G., (2001), An integrated solution for secure group communication in wide-area networks, in Proc. IEEE Symp. Comput. Commun. pp. 22–28 Du, Z. (2012a), Intelligence Computation and Evolutionary Computation: Results of 2012 International Conference of Intelligence Computation and Evolutionary Computation ICEC 2012 Held July 7, 2012 in Wuhan, China, Springer, 1(1), pp. 912-916 Du, Z. (2012b), Informatics and Management Science, Springer, 5(1), pp. 102-115 Jin, D., & Lin, S. (2012), Advances in Future Computer and Control Systems, Springer, 1(1), pp. 113-118. Jung, I.Y., (Aug 2009), Enhanced Security for Online Exams Using Group Cryptography, IEEE 52(3), pp. 340 –349 Peter, E. W. (2004), Differences in self-regulation for online learning between first-and second-generation college students, Research in Higher Education, 45(1), pp. 71-82. Rogers, C. (2006), Faculty perceptions about e-cheating during online testing, 22(2), pp. 206-212 Rovai, A. (2008), Distance Learning in Higher Education: A programmatic Approach to Planning, Design, Instruction, Evaluation, and Accreditation. Teachers College Press, pp. 89 Vlaardingerbroek, B., & Taylor, N. (2009), Secondary School External Examination Systems: Reliability, Robustness and Resilience, Cambria Press Wang, Y. (2011), Education Management, Education Theory and Education Application, Springer, 109(1), pp. 120-127. Read More