Electronic Assessment in Learning Institutions as an agent of Green Economy: User Interface and System Use Perspective

Abstract

Electronic assessment, also known as E-assessment is the use of technology to manage and deliver assessments which vary from multiple choice quizzes to essay based questions. E-learning has greatly contributed to wide use of online teaching but so far, E-assessment has not been widely embraced which could have contributed to efficiency in teaching, learning and assessment. The objective of this research was to: establish how students view the e-assessment website pages user interface; find out how system use of the e-assessment site  contributed to overall usability, and to determine student perception towards online assessment.  Qualitative research was used as a research design to establish the various e-assessment tools that are commonly used in learning institutions. Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) was found to be the common e-learning content management system that offered trainer friendly e-assessment platform. Questionnaires were used as a data collection tool to obtain data from 46 students on their views on e-assessment in learning based on User Interface and System Use Perspective. The sample was selected purposively from a population of students who had been exposed to e-assessment. The students reported that e-assessment was much better because of easy user interface, automated marking and immediate release of results. The institution would greatly benefit by saving costs for printing exams by fully implementing e-assessment. This paper addresses an evaluation of electronic assessment tools that are in use. It identifies the user interface issues that can be addressed as well as a couple of system use concerns. It identifies the need for constant feedback from the users of the system in order to improve electronic assessment.