AN INVESTIGATION ON THE USAGE OF COMPUTER BASED TEST ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

Computer Based Test is a test with an implementation system using a computer as a medium for conducting tests. The presentation and selection of CBT questions are made in a computerized manner so that each participant who does the test gets a different set of questions. Examination with the CBT system or Computer Based Test certainly has a difference with the Paper Based Test system in terms of the working media. Examinees using an awkward CBT system can choose the correct answer on a computer screen, but using a paper and pencil test system, the students is required to discolor the dots on the answer sheet paper.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Teaching and learning are constantly being migrated to several ubiquitous platform. The World Wide Web (WWW) has therefore become an indispensable tool in the administration of pedagogy. This development has led to accelerated availability of educational resources and the promotion of collaboration across different research and educational institute.

A significant component of this innovative trend is the adoption of web-based technology driven assessment of students. It is becoming commonplace to see institutions across the educational strata adopt Computer-Based Test (CBT) and assessment to admit or screen students for entrance into Nigeria Institutions (Sadiq and Onianwa, 2011). However, this mode of conducting examination is a new phenomenon in Nigeria.

The use of CBT for entrance examination in education, military training, and certification examination by professional groups and promotional examination in various stages and categories of life cannot be overemphasized. Erle, at el 2006) cited by Olumorin et al. Utter-based test is the use of computers to administer tests. Other terminologies used to describe Computer- Based Test (CBT) include Computer Assisted Testing (CAT), Computerized Assessment, Computer Aided Assessment (CAA), Computer Based Assessment (CBA), Online Assessment, Web-Based Assessment, Technology Enhanced Assessment, Automation Assessment, and E-Assessment or Test or Examination (Mubashrah et al., 2012; Obioma et al., 2013; Alabi et al., 2012).

Computer Based Test means the candidate sits in front of a computer and the questions are presented on the computer monitor and the candidate submits the answers through the use of keyboard or mouse (Ogunlade et al., n.d). Automation of educational assessments, be it school-based assessment or other public examinations, can be described as the application of technology for the assessment of learning outcomes; using machines to perform those operations which hitherto was performed wholly or partly by teachers or employees (Obioma, et al., 2013). Alabi et al. (2012) described computer based testing as a method of administering tests in which the responses are electronically recorded, assessed, or both.

Assessment is central to the practice of education. For students, good performance on ‘high-stakes' assessment gives access to further educational opportunities and employment. For teachers and schools, it provides evidence of success as individuals and institutions. Assessment systems provide the ways to measure individual and institutional success, and so can have a profound driving influence on systems they were designed to serve. Presently, the predominant mode of student's assessment in Nigeria is the traditional method. In this method, students are assessed using paper and pen on cognitive abilities. This method of assessment has imposed serious limitations to the effectiveness of the method.

The traditional method is characterized by various form of examination malpractices such as bringing in unauthorized materials, writing on currency notes and identity cards, spying of other candidates in examination hall, substitution of answer sheets and change of examination scores or grades. Others include, impersonation, leakage of questions to students before the examination, conniving with supervisors and school authorities to cheat, body writing or tattoo in which students especially females write on hidden parts of their bodies.

Computer-Based Test (CBT), also known as Computer-Based Assessment, e-Examination/ Assessment, Computerized Testing and Computer-Administered Testing, is a method of administering tests in which the responses are electronically recorded, assessed, or both. CBT enables educators to author, schedule, deliver, and report on surveys, quizzes, tests, examinations and other forms of testing. It may be a standalone system or a part of a virtual learning environment, possibly accessed via the World Wide Web (Adewale & Etuk-Iren, 2015; Davey, 2011; Kuzimina, 2010; Ridgway, Mccusker, & Pead, 2004).

Presently, JAMB conducts what it calls “Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examination (UTME)” (Ojerinde, 2015). All candidates intending to be admitted into any type of tertiary educational institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and similar institutions) in Nigeria have to sit for and pass the JAMB/UTME. The JAMB up till 2012 had been conducting examinations basically by means of the paper and pencil test (PPT) form, and in 2013, it experimented with the computer based testing (CBT).

The decision by JAMB in migrating from paper and pencil test (PPT) to computer-based test (CBT) in 2015 was due to various factors; the chief were security challenges, high cost of producing writing materials for paper-based tests, high cost of transporting materials and curbing examination malpractices, flexibility and swiftness in processing results, reduction of corroborated this by identifying the Paper-based Tests (PBT) with many problems such as tedious processes as the examination was conducted at various and distant centres simultaneously and marked manually; high risks of accidents during travels by both the staff involved and the prospective students for the paper examination; cost of conduct of the examination on the part of the examination bodies including honoraria for invigilators, coordinators, markers collators and other allied staff; subjective scoring and plausible manipulation of results; late release of results and missing grades; bank draft method of payment by candidates riddled by fraud, loss of money, stress and trauma.

The threat of examination malpractices on the validity of examination has made some examination bodies to give excessive attention to checking examination malpractices even at the test development stage. Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) administers different question formats in which questions do not follow the same order. The alternatives under each question in a format do not also follow the same order. However, it seems that candidates too are not relenting in frustrating and voiding all efforts by these bodies.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Usage of Computer Based Test on the Performance of Secondary Schools Students.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that examination malpractice is the greatest academic ill disturbing the Nigerian education system especially at the secondary education sector. Studies have shown that a lot of failures and anomalies happen in the careers of individuals because of the impact of the scourge of examination malpractice at the secondary school level of Education (Zakka 2014). Many attempts have been made by government agencies, school authorities, and examination bodies to redirect the Nigerian students from the menace of examination malpractice, but to no avail.

Despite the increasing use of ICT in educational testing, CBT is fraught with lots of challenges, foremost among which have been identified to include, resistant to change, inadequate power supply, lack of knowledge, low competency and familiarity with computer, lack of qualified personnel, shortage of facilities such as computer and related devices, and erratic internet networks (Abubakar & Adebayo, 2014; American Psychological Association, 1986; Davey, 2011; JAMB, 2015; Obioma, Junaidu & Ajagun, 2013; Ojerinde, 2015). Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the Usage of Computer Based Test on the Performance of Secondary Schools Students in Nigeria.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Usage of Computer Based Test on the Performance of Secondary Schools Students in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To find out the effect of CBT on the performance of secondary schools students;
2. To discover if any measure is stop or put an end to the problems OF CBT in Nigeria;
3. To investigate the problems associated with the use of CBT in Nigeria; and
4. To proffer solutions to the problem of CBT in Nigeria.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Is there any policy put in place to put an end to the problems of CBT in Nigeria?
• What problems are associated with the use of CBT in Nigeria?
• What is the effect of CBT on the performance of secondary school students in Nigeria?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There are no significant problems that is associated with the use of CBT in Nigeria
• H1: There are significant problems that is associated with the use of CBT in Nigeria

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant relationship between computer based test (CBT) mode and reduction in examination malpractice among UTME candidates.
• H1: There is a significant relationship between computer based test (CBT) mode and reduction in examination malpractice among UTME candidates.

1.7 Significance of Study

The study will expose the teachers, school managements, the government and all stakeholders involve in policy making in Nigeria to the challenges that hinder the proper implementation of CBT in Nigeria.

Finally this study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Investigation on the Usage of Computer Based Test on the Performance of Secondary Schools Students. The study will cover only Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State in Nigeria.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Investigation: The action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research

Computer Based Test (CBT): Computer-based test (CBT) is instructions which is delivered by a computer system. A course (CBT) may also be given through a software/program installed on a computer system either through the internet, intranet or a cooperate digital channel.

Secondary School: In between basic school and college.

Academic Performance: The extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved their short or long-term educational goals.