VTU taps tech for exam reforms

VTU taps tech for exam reforms

To Plug Question Paper Leaks, Ensure Quicker Results

Bangalore: Visvesvaraya Technological University is logging on to technology to introduce sweeping examination reforms from the next academic year. This includes electronic distribution of question papers, digital correction of answer scripts and faster processing of results.
The university plans to do away with the physical distribution of question papers as is done now; it’s looking at partly automated supply-chain management to send them to all centres. Question papers are e-transmitted to these centres and printed there. “When there is a physical distribution of question papers, it goes through various routes and there’s the possibility of a leak. Using technology, papers will be sent directly to centres,” VTU vice-chancellor H P Khincha told The Times of India.
The university will password-protect the papers to ensure utmost security. For example, when papers are sent to a particular centre, a certain ‘key’ (password, in common parlance) will be given to the authorized person. When he enters the key, authentication is sent to the university and only then can he access the question papers. “The key will be constantly changed to prevent malpractice,” the vice-chancellor said.
ON THE CARDS Alternative distribution of question paper using software
Question paper leaks can be plugged; correction of answer scripts using computers; results quicker
Mirror data centre at Mysore regional office serves as back-up and disaster recovery Now, valuators set to decrypt answer scripts
Bangalore: Visvesvaraya Technological University is riding on the technology crest wave to plug exam bugs. Valuation, among other things, will go hi-tech. Answer scripts will be scanned, encrypted and transmitted to valuation centres. When a valuator receives the scripts, she will use a key to decrypt them and see them one page at a time.
On the page, there will be a side window against each answer wherein the valuator can enter the marks. After evaluating the answer scripts, it will be sent either to the university or the data centre directly.
“We are working on setting up a timeline for correcting the scripts,” VTU vice-chancellor H P Khincha told The Times of India.
To cater to the increasing number of colleges, the university will have a data centre in Belgaum to process the exam results swiftly. “The internal assessment and project marks will be automatically upgraded and results will be declared,” the V-C said.
Given the increasing number of students, announcing results on time is a big challenge.
“Every year, colleges add new courses and increase intake. This means more answer scripts to be assessed. Through this technology, we should be able to announce results faster,” he added.
VTU will make the Mysore regional office an IT and e-learning hub. A mirror data centre will be created, where all the data in Belgaum will be stored at Mysore.
“In case anything goes wrong at the Belgaum centre, we can access the information at Mysore. This acts as a disaster recovery and good back-up,” he added.


source: TIMES OF INDIA(BANGLORE EDITION) page 1