Automated Qualifying Entrance Examination
CHAPTER I
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Introduction
“Technology can change the way students think, learn and revolutionize,” says the Chief Executive Officer on Education and Technology (Courte, 2005). Technology also calls for broadening the definition of student achievement to include digital-age literacy, inventive thinking, effective communication and high productivity-skills necessary for students to thrive in the 21st century. According to the report, technology can help deliver significant results when combine with other key factors known to increase achievement, such as clear, measurable objectives; parental and community involvement; increase time spent on task; frequent feedback; and the teacher’s subject-matter expertise. In this age of computers, many educators see it as inevitable that students will someday learn in classrooms without walls, desks, or face-to-face contact with teachers. The gradual degeneration of the conventional examination system manifested in frequent leakage of question papers, manipulation of marks, copying and use of unfair means by all involved (administration not ruled out). This conventional examination system was also referred to as paper-and-pencil tests. This is a fixed-item test in which the student and/or examinee answer the same questions. Fixed-item test waste students’ time because they give students a large number of items that are either too easy or too difficult. As a result, the tests give little information about the particular level of ability of each student. With recent advancement in measurement theory and the increased availability of microcomputers in schools, the practice of using electronic examination system may change. Computerized tests may replace paper-and-pencil tests in some instances. These scenarios triggered the researchers to conduct and Electronic Qualifying Examination that would be beneficial to the College of Science. The system being studied would facilitate the systematic storage,
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Introduction
“Technology can change the way students think, learn and revolutionize,” says the Chief Executive Officer on Education and Technology (Courte, 2005). Technology also calls for broadening the definition of student achievement to include digital-age literacy, inventive thinking, effective communication and high productivity-skills necessary for students to thrive in the 21st century. According to the report, technology can help deliver significant results when combine with other key factors known to increase achievement, such as clear, measurable objectives; parental and community involvement; increase time spent on task; frequent feedback; and the teacher’s subject-matter expertise. In this age of computers, many educators see it as inevitable that students will someday learn in classrooms without walls, desks, or face-to-face contact with teachers. The gradual degeneration of the conventional examination system manifested in frequent leakage of question papers, manipulation of marks, copying and use of unfair means by all involved (administration not ruled out). This conventional examination system was also referred to as paper-and-pencil tests. This is a fixed-item test in which the student and/or examinee answer the same questions. Fixed-item test waste students’ time because they give students a large number of items that are either too easy or too difficult. As a result, the tests give little information about the particular level of ability of each student. With recent advancement in measurement theory and the increased availability of microcomputers in schools, the practice of using electronic examination system may change. Computerized tests may replace paper-and-pencil tests in some instances. These scenarios triggered the researchers to conduct and Electronic Qualifying Examination that would be beneficial to the College of Science. The system being studied would facilitate the systematic storage,