The South African education system is ready for new and imaginative assessments or approaches that challenge both teaching practices and the way learners process information.
This is according to CEO of the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) Anne Oberholzer, speaking after the completion of a successful pilot project that incorporated online technology for the marking of the Life Orientation examinations, written by 11 500 matric students countrywide.
The pilot project, conducted in conjunction with specialist solutions and support company CSX, is said to the first of its kind in SA, although a similar project had been piloted in Namibia.
"The company was looking for a South African educational institution to evaluate the approach," says Oberholzer.
"As an independent assessment body, we have the flexibility to explore new initiatives in the approach to examinations in South Africa with minimal disruption to the main system. By investigating the online marking system, the IEB has implemented a project that improves the reliability of marking and benefits teachers and students alike and could fundamentally benefit our South African system as a whole."
The system will allow the IEB to monitor the marking process, including markers, efficiencies and errors, while an internal e-mail system, which enables a marker to log a query or connect directly with the team leader or chief examiner at any time, facilitates communication.
With this particular IEB project, 131 teachers from across the country marked the examinations from a central marking centre provided by CSX and its sister-company Global Continuity over six days, of which one day was set aside to print and scan the exams.
According to CSX MD Mario Martins, the project was a success and considerably reduced the time of marking. "The system was also able to work offline in the event that the Internet was down and there were also generators available if power was cut. The information is encrypted and is being stored at Global Continuity for a period of six months or more, as necessary to assist with any remarking requests."
Oberholzer says although the initiative is not much of a cost-saver, they are looking at embarking on a second phase at the end of the year. "This will entail online marking for another three subjects: Economics, Design and IT Theory with a total of 1 800 students. We are excited to test the system by running an online marking session for three different subjects in one marking centre."
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