DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPUTERIZED GRADE EVALUATION SYSTEM (CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN)

ABSTRACT

This research work presents a computerized grade evaluation system that is developed to collect, process, and return the exams grades of student of the University of Ibadan. It discusses the design requirements, features, and implementation of the computerized grading system, as well as reactions from course faculty and staff members. The system is  developed with numerous advantages over the analog grading methods, including scalability, real-time feedback on the status of grading, the reduced potential for human error in compiling grades, the ability for lecturers to grade remotely and to revise their grades after submission, the ability for course administrators to easily review grading results and remove statistical outliers from the score set, the ability to return both provisional and final grades to the course faculty, staff, and students in a timely manner, and the ability to archive and export grading data for future use. Although the online system is a clear improvement over paper-based grades.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The logistical problems associated with distributing, collecting, grading, and returning assignments and the difficulties in ensuring fairness and consistency in grading tends to increase non-linearly with the number of students enrolled in an academic program.  Nowadays, we are living in an information age dependent upon digital Information retrieved from the internet. This Digital information is electronically interpreted, the results of the computer processed information. Different type of jobs relies mostly on the internet to get information, using it, managing it, and relaying information to others. Computers enable the efficient processing and storage of information. Computerized-assisted grading system will go a long way in guiding the grading process and compilation of final results among systems of any institution in Nigeria. Anglin and Anglin8 report that using computer-assisted grading systems during bulk students grading with large amount of students reduced the grading time by half compared to traditional hand grading without the help of the system. In addition to the “reduced time in grading assignments,” Czaplewski notes that computer-assisted grading system can lead to increased “validity and accuracy of grading – making grading more evenhanded,” increased feedback for students, and increased student satisfaction. This research work presents an online computerized system to assist in grading of students to improve the fairness, consistency, and efficiency of grading.

Many teachers feel that the time they take in recording and computing for the grades of their students is time that could be better spent elsewhere, like preparing lessons, researching or meeting with their students. With the advent of computer technology, more and more schools are taking advantage of a variety of grading systems available both off-line and online that can help save time on administrative tasks and give teachers more time to attend to other important functions. However, a greater majority, especially small schools, government schools, and schools in remote areas, still utilize the manual method of recording and computing for the grades of the students.

This work provides a brief overview of the course, its deliverables, and the breakdown of the grades. It discusses the design requirements, features, and implementation of the online grading system. Finally, the current limitations and future development directions of the online grading system are discussed.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The general statement of problem is to create a Computerized Grading Evaluation System for University of Ibadan, to solve the following problems – To design and develop a comprehensive module that will display the student’s grade records easily, To implement grade automation awareness among schools by reducing (if not eliminating) manual tasks of grade keeping and finally To create a system that will automatically compute the student’s grade of university of Ibadan.

1.3     AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to develop a Computerized Grading Evaluation System for University of Ibadan. With the following objectives –

1. To create design and develop a computerized grade evaluation system for recording of student’s name, grade level and section.
2. To create a system that will be secured and maintain the integrity of data, which can be easily retrieved.

SCREEN SHOTS OF THE APPLICATION

1.4     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The computerized grade evaluation system will provide convenience to teachers through the easier and faster way of recording information. Population of students is ever increasing in all educational institution so great demand in teaching force is also becoming higher. The online Grade evaluation System is very essential and important for school’s operations and goals. The students are graded to measure their performance in their academic courses and knowledge. Teachers spend a lot of time to accurately compute the grades of the students using their calculators, and, in earlier times, teachers manually solve grades using the manual computations means which is always filled of errors.

A computerized grade evaluation system for University of Ibadan will provide a marked improvement in the way teachers’ record and compute for the grades of students.

• Faculty Teachers: Teachers’ would be able to record and compute for the grades of their students faster thereby lessening their work load and providing them with added time to attend to other functions. This in turn would improve their efficiency as teachers.
• School Administrators: School Administrators no longer have to re-compute the grades of each student to check on their accuracy. Student Reports such as grading results sheets and class records can be submitted on time and seamlessly.
• Students: Students can now look forward to better lessons since their teachers would have added time to prepare for them their lesson plans.

1.5     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the research is focused on designing and implementing a computerized grade evaluation system for University of Ibadan.

1.6      LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The major limitation of this research is related to student results and data which are very sensitive materials which can’t be disclosed to the general public, sourcing and getting student information to be used for this research work was a major limitation.

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