ABSTRACT
Ability to work with information and communications technology (ICT) is a key competence necessary for success in life in the 21st Century. In the past two decades, there has been a growing understanding of the important role of ICT, not only for business and economics, but also, for teaching and learning activities. As educational technologies and new learning methods evolve, lecturers are expected to adopt rich and exciting learning environments. With computer aided teaching, learning gets more interesting and even, the lecturer enjoys the exercise of disseminating knowledge to enthusiastic students. The focus of this research work is to improve on the teaching and assessment in a university system, using an ICT enhanced teaching and assessment method.
A software package was developed by the author, called Paperless Exam, using Visual Studio 2015 (VB.Net) and Microsoft SQL Server 2012. Database. Paperless Exam software works in a client/server environment, with two modules. We have the Admin Module, which is for managing the software, and runs only on the server, while the second module is the Student Module, which is installed on all the client machines (workstations) for the students to take the examinations. To sit for an exam, the student logs into Paperless Exam. Using the computer, a Digital Pen and Microsoft OneNote, he/she takes the theory examination which must have been timed by Admin. At the end of the allotted time for the course, the student exports the script to portable document format (pdf), before submitting it to the server. Paperless Exam software stores all the scripts for each course in a single Folder, whose name is the course code and located in the semester Folder, also located in the session Folder. This Folder, containing all the scripts, is copied by Admin and given to the lecturer handling the course at the end of the examination. Apart from student assessment, this study also considered the lecture delivery system. An Application software, called eLectures was also developed using the same Visual Studio 2015 and Microsoft Access 2012. It helps the lecturer in organizing his/her lessons. The courses, which may be PowerPoint, Word, Excel or Video Files, are loaded into it and organized according to Faculty, Department, Level and Course. Using an Air Mouse, a remote keyboard and a good Graphics Pen Tablet, the lecturer is able to teach the students, with emphasis on multimedia learning.
The Paperless Exam software was tested and found to be working. Two computers were set up, one being the server and the other, the client. Students and timed courses were added to the server with the Admin Module. Names were logged into the software, then started an examination and thereafter, submitted the scripts. The scripts were collected from the server, using the Admin Module. The e-Lectures software was used to teach ELA 301 in Engineering Lab and it was highly appreciated by the students.
