Redefining Assessment

Shift

The written word stands as one of humanity’s most brilliant achievements. From ancient clay tablets to papyrus, parchment, vellum and eventually paper, our methods of communication have evolved dramatically. Today, we face a significant transition: the shift from paper to digital technologies. This change is crucial, as paper production is becoming increasingly unsustainable, straining our natural resources.

Currently, 40 per cent of the world's commercially cut timber is used for paper production and the industry is the 5^th largest energy consumer in the world. To produce one ton of paper, 24 trees are felled and nearly 942 kg of CO₂ is produced. This underscores the urgency for more sustainable alternatives. While all cannot be changed in a day, even small steps in the right direction can alter the course of history.

A promising step forward is digitizing the examination process, which is both paper-intensive and logistically challenging. By adopting a paperless examination system, SKUAST-K has lived up to its reputation of being a leader in agri-education. After successful pilot tests, the university is set to roll out paperless exams across all faculties starting the first week of August. With 400 encrypted question papers securely uploaded and accessible only at the designated time and date, SKUAST-K is paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable examination process.

Commitment to Sustainability, Shaping a Greener Future

Paperless examination reinforces SKUAST-Kashmir's commitment to environmental stewardship. This means the university could save nearly 22 lac pages/year amounting to ~264 trees and by the same estimate, ~440000l water and ~165,000kWh energy (equivalent to ~ 17,368l petrol). This much energy could light up a poor household for ~330 years. By embracing digital exams, the university is not just reducing paper usage; it’s illuminating a path to a brighter, more sustainable future and cultivating human resources capable of confronting and tackling global challenges head-on.

Overcoming the Drawbacks of Traditional Exam Processes

The adoption of this revolutionary system eliminates a range of labour-intensive, time-consuming, and resource-heavy tasks. These included the manual assignment of tasks, bulk printing that required significant resources and infrastructure, physical movement of question papers to exam centres, manual coding and sorting of answer scripts, and their subsequent transportation to evaluators. Additionally, ensuring security and privacy throughout the process, along with manual evaluation, compilation, and result processing, were all time-consuming and often prone to errors. The storage of the growing amount of answer sheets year after year also was a major issue.

Operational Benefits of SKUAST Kashmir’s Digital Exam Revolution

By adopting a paperless examination system, SKUAST-K is transforming assessments with a focus on environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. This transition sets a new standard by integrating advanced technology to enhance security, fairness, and effectiveness. The DigiTaal device at SKUAST, featuring robust construction, and a paper-like digital writing interface, ensures zero data loss with efficient storage and reliable operation in remote areas with minimal electricity and internet. Its diverse features include a user-friendly interface, quick processing, support for complex answers and diagrams, robust encryption, and surveillance to ensure exam integrity, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.

• Enhanced Security and Confidentiality: Encrypted digital files and secure online platforms prevent leaks and unauthorized access, ensuring exam integrity and fairness.
• Efficient Authoring and Question Banking: Advanced tools streamline exam creation, allowing teachers to develop diverse question types, integrate rich media, and use reusable templates. Automated question paper generation saves time. Randomized questions provide each student with a unique exam version, enhancing fairness.
• Online Marking: Digitally coded answer scripts enable secure, faster, and more accurate evaluations. Auto-evaluation for MCQs and one-word answers reduces time, while annotation tools and automated scoring assist examiners.
• Expedited Evaluation and Results: Swift digital evaluations and prompt result declarations facilitate quicker academic progression.
• Student Data Mining and Strategic Decision Making: Comprehensive analytics offer insights into student performance, guiding teaching strategies and curriculum improvements. Real-time analytics and reporting support informed decisions on curriculum adjustments, resource allocation, and educational strategies.
• Academic Integrity: Secure logins, restricted access, and biometric authentication (IRIS scans) uphold high standards of academic integrity and prevent cheating.