Benefits of moving from OMR toComputer-Based Assessmentby Dr Simon Wilkinson and Heather Rai

Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)Why Move?

• OMR does not scale well with increasing cohorts:– Time to print– Time to scan

• Graphics costly/difficult to reproduce well on paper

• Interactive question types not available

CBABenefits 1 – to Academics

• Realism – incorporating multimedia

CBABenefits 1 – to Academics

Click on the cochlea structure

Drag each label to its appropriate position

Hotspot

Labelling

• Interactivity – dynamic question types

CBABenefits 2 – to Students

• Easier to change answers

• Interface can be adapted for certain disabilities:– Dyslexia– Colour-blindness

CBABenefits 3 – to Administrators

• Reduced running costs:– Faster marking– Easier to timetable– No printing costs

• Increased Quality:– Item bank change auditing– More accurate marking– Check that externals have reviewed papers

CBAAny Disadvantages?

• Inherently more risky than OMR

• Large up-front costs:– Server purchasing ~ £15,000– Server support experts– System programmers– Large computer labs required

• Changes the relationship of key stakeholders

In-house developed systemTouchStone 2.7

www.nottingham.ac.uk/nle/about/touchstone

anyQuestions?