The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), in collaboration with the Sukhothai Thammatirat Open University (STOU) in Thailand, conducted a “Seminar on Online Assessment” on 24 May 2018 at the Audiovisual Room of UPOU in Los Baños, Laguna, and online via networks.upou.edu.ph.
The seminar featured the experience of STOU in Online Assessment, specifically the experience of the lecturers from Office of Registration, Records and Evaluation, Dr. Prathana Phonapichat and Dr. Anusorn Koedsri.
Dr. Phonapichat shared about the STOU Test Research and Development Center. She explained that STOU creates tests for 400 subjects every semester using item banking. According to Dr. Phonapichat, STOU has developed item banking as a means of assessment. It refers to the process of developing and managing a pool of high-quality test items, from which multiple test forms can be easily published. Item banking also allows item review, workflow management, and storage of item metadata like statistics.
Dr. Koedsri, on the other hand, explained how the STOU Walk-in Exam and Computer-based Testing System works. Dr. Koedsri stated that STOU has online examination centers in all provinces of Thailand. Most centers are located in regional universities and provincial schools which serve as the university’s local study and testing centers.
The lectures were followed by an open forum. Fellow visitors from the STOU Office of Registration, Records and Evaluation Office, Dr. Sassithorn Chutinuntakal, Asst. Prof. Kiattipum Chukiatsiri were also able to impart their experiences in online assessment. They are also joined by Dr. Kuncheon Jeotee, who is also an Affiliate Professor for UPOU ASEAN Studies program. The team of STOU further shared their assessment process.
UPOU officials and faculty members also shared their experiences on online assessment. Ms. Yasele Yambao, Director of the Office of Student Affairs, Asst. Prof. Rita Ramos, Faculty Secretary of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies, Prof. Jean Saludadez, Program Chair for ASEAN Studies program and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, and Prof. Melinda Lumanta, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, shared their experiences through UPOU’s journey from print-based to going 100% online. Director Yambao shared that the newly created Office of Student Affairs of UPOU is in charge of the exam services, which caters to UPOU’s online learners based locally and abroad. Prof. Chancellor Melinda Bandalaria, previously shared in her opening remarks that the challenge for UPOU is to have that university-level exam portal which integrates all features necessary to ensure the credibility and integrity of the exam process, an important pillar in open and distance e-learning.
The open forum also entertained questions from the participants, who were based physically in Los Baños, and those online within the Philippines and Thailand. The forum ended with the awarding of certificates to the speakers.
This Seminar on Online Assessment was organized by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the UPOU ASEAN Studies program, and may be viewed online via UPOU Networks.
