Re-imagining Language Assessments in Higher Education and Universities

For three years, GamaLearn, in partnership with Princess Nourah University’s English Language Institute, has achieved remarkable success in transforming paper-based exams to digital ones, impacting the educational landscape profoundly. This case study showcases the collaborative efforts of GamaLearn and PNU’s English Language Institute in rolling out a comprehensive digital assessment platform. SwiftAssess platform has played a pivotal role in supporting various forms of language assessments and enhancing education for the university’s 8k students.

The implementation of SwiftAssess has specifically benefited the English Language Institute by providing robust tools for assessing the key pillars of language learning: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. By digitizing these assessment areas, the platform ensured a more accurate and efficient evaluation of students’ language skills, aligning with the institute’s educational goals.

Project Scope

The project aimed to transition the entire assessment process from traditional paper-based methods to a comprehensive digital platform. The scope of the transformation included the following key aspects:

• Centralized Examination System: Implementing a unified system for conducting centralized exams to maintain consistency and fairness.
• Teacher and Student Exams: Enabling teachers to create and administer assessments, promoting continuous professional development, and facilitating student self-assessment.
• Hybrid Exams (Online and Offline): Adapting to the evolving educational landscape by offering both online and offline assessment modes.
• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Support: Allowing students to use their own devices for assessments while maintaining security.
• Security Measures: Implementing robust security features, including AI proctoring, watermarking, and plagiarism detection, to ensure the integrity of assessments.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: Working closely with the assessment department, IT operations, curriculum department, and decision-makers to ensure the platform met their specific needs and requirements.
• Data and Reporting: Providing insights into student learning outcomes and assessment data to enhance decision-making and support educational reform.

GamaLearns’ approach to language assessments

One of the key aspects of GamaLearn’s success story is its commitment to adapting to the needs of Princess Nourah University and its students. GamaLearn has empowered university’s students with multiple ways of taking assessments. Furthermore, instructors have been provided with online and mobile grading options, allowing them to conduct manual grading from anywhere at any time, ensuring that the learning process remains uninterrupted.

A Transformative Journey

Implementation and Achievements

The transformation was carried out in several phases. Key milestones and achievements included:

• Goal Setting: Defining clear objectives for the digital transformation: enhancing student engagement, and improving administrative efficiency.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Involved key stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and IT professionals, to gather input and support for the transformation.
• Infrastructure Readiness: Ensuring that the college has the necessary infrastructure, including reliable internet access and compatible devices.
• Action Plan: Carefully planned implementation schedules, providing training and technical support to educators and administrators.

Princess Nourah University’s English Language Institute has seen remarkable success through its collaboration with GamaLearn, demonstrating the transformative power of digital assessment platforms. Here are some of the key SwiftAssess features that have been used by the University’s staff:

The hybrid assessment capabilities of the platform allowed students to choose between online and offline assessments, catering to diverse needs and preferences.

With BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) support, students were able to use their personal devices securely, enhancing accessibility and convenience.

Robust security measures, including AI proctoring and watermarking, maintained the integrity of assessments, while data-driven insights provided by the SwiftAssess platform enabled educators to effectively measure student learning outcomes and continuously improve the education system. The platform’s flexibility ensured it could adapt to emerging educational requirements, securing its long-term relevance and impact.

Seamless Grading: Teachers seamlessly graded submissions using the GradeMate app, ensuring efficient assessment processes.

Statistics

• Student Engagement: An 85% increase in student engagement with assessments due to the flexibility of online and offline options.
• Efficiency: A 70% reduction in administrative time spent on exam logistics and grading.
• Security: A 90% decrease in instances of academic dishonesty due to robust security measures.
• Student Performance: A 60% improvement in student performance metrics, attributed to more accurate and varied assessments.
• Faculty Satisfaction: 95% of faculty reported higher satisfaction with the new assessment process.

The integration of LOFT powered by SwiftAssess has notably improved the examination process at the University. LOFT’s focus on learning objectives has provided a structured framework for assessments, aligning closely with the university’s educational goals. This approach has enabled educators to design assessments that effectively evaluate students’ understanding of course material and their progress towards achieving learning objectives.

LOFT has been particularly beneficial for PNU due to its robust security and randomization options, which ensure the integrity and fairness of exams. Additionally, the LOFT report structure corresponds with the TEFL format, providing clear and relevant insights into student performance. The structured framework of LOFT has improved both the quality of assessments and student learning outcomes, ultimately enhancing the educational experience for all stakeholders involved.

To learn more about LOFT visit this link.

The success story of GamaLearn’s partnership with Princess Nourah University’s English Language Institute stands as a great example of innovation and collaboration leveraging a digital assessment platform. Through diligent effort and strategic planning, the assessment team has demonstrated excellence, setting a remarkable example for other colleges to follow. This journey underscores the power of partnership and innovation in shaping the future of education, paving the way for continuous improvement and excellence in assessment practices.