Debate over online engg exam rages on

aculty continues to raise questions over system, claiming it encourages guesswork, copying; report to be discussed at Senate meet on Saturday
Pallavi Smart
     
Posted On Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 08:03:56 AM
Exam results have changed drastically since the online system started
The University of Pune’s (UoP) online examination system for engineering students is the subject of an intense debate among faculty members, many of whom have raised questions regarding its credibility.
 
In 2013, faculty members had asked for research to be conducted on the existing system to find lacunae and solutions. The report, which as per the engineering faculty, has not been given the required attention, will be discussed again at the varsity Senate meeting on Saturday, and the Dean will be held answerable for all allegations.

The report states, “The worldwide trend is that no degree-awarding examination is based on an online pattern. The maximum weightage given to online exams is not more than 20 per cent, but at UoP it is 50 per cent. These online examinations are mostly objective and based on Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), which are often repeated. 

The pattern also encourages guesswork and copying. When this system was introduced in 2008, the results changed drastically when compared with the last 40 years. Engineering Mechanics, which had an overall result percentage of 20 to 30 per cent, went up to  90 per cent.”  

The report also suggests, “There should be provisions to scale down marks obtained in online/offline. Online and offline examination marks should be seen separately on the marksheet. Negative marking should be encouraged and MCQs should be revised every year.”  

Dr Shreedhar Deo, from the RMD Sinhagad School of Engineering, who compiled the research and report, said, “They have partially implemented a separate passing mark for online and offline examinations, but the other recommendations mentioned have not been considered.”

Dr Mrudula Kulkarni, from MIT College of Engineering, said, “With the existing system, the highest marks have increased to 90 per cent. However, when these students enter the industry, it is their practical knowledge that will count.” 

Dr Arun Adsul, member of the Science faculty at the management council of UoP, said, “Technology cannot be avoided, but it needs to be implemented effectively.”   

Dr Gajanan Kharate, Dean of the engineering faculty, said, “One of the recommendations has been implemented, and CCTV surveillance will begin from next year.”

http://www.punemirror.in/article/2/2014031520140315100419687b56df163/Debate-over-online-engg-exam-rages-on.html

    
     

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