Adapting On Demand Examination System In National 
Open University Of Nigeria End Of Semester Examination

Year 2011, Volume: 12 Issue: 4, 167 - 178, 01.12.2011

Charity Akuadı

Abstract

Teaching–learning process is incomplete without effective and meaningful assessment of students learning outcomes. This applies to both conventional modes of education as well as to open and distance learning modes. So far, conduct of examinations at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has been cumbersome and be-decked with ‘hydra headed’ problems, such as: dearth of skilled academics, finances, prompt marking of scripts and collation/processing of acceptable results leading to release of incomplete or meaningless results. Hence the need for re-engineering the examination process at the NOUN. This paper discusses the On Demand Examination System (ODES), an Information Communication and Technology (ICT) based innovation which enables the assessment of students, as at and on their own readiness and demand. But, opined that NOUN can make better use of ODES by convenient adaptation and use of the ODES software functionalities and processes. The ODES can be used to handle the challenging examination processes such as generating items that could be administered to students as a group at the End of Semester Examination. The results of the examination can then be timely processedd and released following the laid down procedures already entrenched by the use of the software to overcome most of the burden experienced so far. Since, the institution, the students and even the staff are not technologically ready for On Demand Examination for now.

Keywords

meaningful assessment, acceptable result, re-engineering, examination process, technology

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