Computer Based Assessment (CBA): Perception of residents at Dow University of Health Sciences

Abstract

Background and objective : During the past few years, Computer-based assessment (CBA) has gained popularkity as a testing modality. This assessment offers several advantages over paper based assessment (PBA) testing. The objective of this study was to find out residents’ perception of this method of assessment. Methods : The post graduate residents of Dow University of Health Sciences in the field of Surgery, Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics experienced their first formative Computer-based assessment (CBA) in year 2013.Immediately after formative CBA, an anonymous paper based questionnaire was distributed amongst the residents and response was sought for their self-perceived computer usage competence before starting residency, perceptions regarding CBA method and to determine their preference for PBA or CBA in future assessment preferences. Results: Total 173 residents completed the questionnaire. More than half of residents, 56.1% had no prior experience of CBA. Three fourth, 76.4% of the residents were less than confident before sitting in CBA, while after completing CBA, 64.8% were either confident or extremely confident for CBA. Most common problem encountered by students was logging in 28.9%. More students (53.2%) believed that paper assessment took longer to complete than CBA. Majority of the students (61.8%) rated CBA as better than PBA despite experiencing it for the first time. Conclusion: Resident’s perception for CBA is good and they recommend its use in future assessment as well. However, to take maximal advantage of this technology, faculty should be trained to develop questions not only with text and pictures but with audio and video support.

Students' Perceptions about Assessment Using an e-Learning Platform

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eLearning resources to supplement postgraduate neurosurgery training

“…In postgraduate residents in surgery, medicine, gynaecology and obstetrics high initial scepticism concerning eLearning (76.4%) was contrasted by high satisfaction rates after the eLearning experience (64.8%) and the majority of residents rated eLearning as better than traditional learning methods (61.8%) [23]. The above-mentioned randomised study among primary care physicians revealed similarly high satisfaction rates for eLearning and traditional learning methods, which is in agreement with most of the literature on this topic [39].…”

Enhancing a Computer-Based Testing Environment with Optimum Item Response Time

“…Computer-based testing does not only mean moving questions from paper to screen (Jawaid, Moosa, Jaleel, & Ashraf, 2014;Lee, 2009). Essentially, computerbased tests should use advantages of technology as much as possible and support the quality of the tests in various ways (Wirth, 2008).…”

“…In a study by Hosseini et al (2014), it was found that students had more positive attitudes towards computer-based tests when compared to paper-based tests. Another study among postgraduate students reported that 61.8% preferred computer-based tests compared to paper-based tests (Jawaid et al, 2014). In terms of test scoring, although some studies reported equivalent results for both computer and paper-based tests (Mason, Patry & Berstein, 2001), there are some other studies that claimed the computer-based test as a reason for better scoring (DeAngelis, 2000).…”