Computer – based vs. Paper – based assessment in Open and Distance Learning. (original) (raw)

Computer – based vs. Paper – based assessment in Open and Distance Learning.

This study is aimed at evaluating some critical factors associated with computer-based versus paper-based testing in Open and Distance Learning institutions. The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is used as a case study. The factors considered in this investigation are computer familiarity/literacy of test takers, content familiarity and competitiveness. 100 randomly selected 100 level undergraduate students undergoing the GST 101 – Use of English course were randomly assigned to either a computer-based or identical paper-based test. The study used several but simple quantitative and qualitative instruments to gather data which subsequently showed that the computer-based test group performed better than the paper-based test group. Although content familiarity and computer literacy were related to this performance difference, gender competitiveness was not. Students with high scores appeared to have benefitted immensely from the computer-based assessment when compared with the students who performed very well under paper-based testing. Our submission therefore, is that with the fast rate of technological innovations in computer related facilities in Nigeria, coupled with the current increase in computer – based assessment, Open and Distance Learning institutions must consciously anticipate and plan for possible test mode effects as it is now practised in the National Open University of Nigeria. Key words: Computer-based test, Paper-based test, Open and Distance Learning (ODL), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Computer familiarity, Content familiarity.