Punjabi University mulls conducting online tests

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 9

Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor (VC), Dr BS Ghuman said, “With classes suspended due to Covid-19, the university can hold mid-semester-tests online.”

The university had started online classes for regular students recently. The university authorities also discussed use of online mode for students of the Department of Distance Education.

University officials said they do not want students’ education to suffer due to suspension of academic and other process.

In a note to teachers and students the VC said, “At this critical juncture, we should continue our curriculum delivery from homes. The technology enabled teaching and learning can play a pivotal role in this regard. This is the time to show our potential by continuing teaching-learning process through various ICT initiatives and e-resources.”

The university is also mulling over holding online mid-semester tests (MSTs), which otherwise are held in the first or send week of April.

University professors said the online platform ‘Moodle’ had a number of features for conducting online examinations.

“We can create and store a question bank on the Moodle platform. The test time slot and time span can be set for the particular test with which we can test students. Questions answered or left unanswered will then get compiled as per settings,” they added.

The university VC, who has held a number of meetings with faculty members, principals of constituent colleges and neighbourhood campuses to streamline the online teaching process today said, “Needs of students of the Distance Education Department should also be taken care of in similar way.”

Dr Anita Gill, head, Distance Education Department, said, “The department has already completed most of its task of holding classes and providing study material to students. Internal assessment of some courses is yet to be completed. We are finding ways to complete it in time.”