Effects of Testing Mode and Computer Familiarity on First-Year Students' Achievement in Cell Biology at Federal University of Technology, Minna

Abstract

Computer-Based Test (CBT) has become a central concern in educational assessment not only in Nigeria, but in almost all countries of the world. Governments, examination bodies, institutions and organizations have accorded CBT much priority as a result of the potentials manifested by the mode over the years, ranging from accuracy, speed, objectivity and innovation. Numerous studies were embarked upon as to unfold the validity evidences necessary for the smooth transition from the traditional Paper-Pencil- Test (PPT) to the CBT in educational assessment with varied and inconsistent results. This paper reports a study conducted on the effects of testing mode and computer familiarity on first-year students’ achievement in Cell Biology at Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State. Repeated measures design was adopted using first year university students. Purposive sampling technique was employed in getting the university course and the sample of the study (1130 participants). The research instruments were Cell Biology Achievement Test (CBAT) and Computer Familiarity Scale (CFS) which were validated by five experts. Reliability coefficient of CBAT using KR20 was .78 and CFS yielded .79 using Cronbach Alpha formula. The parallel form reliability coefficient of .91 for the CBAT modes (CBT and PPT) was obtained using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Data generated was analyzed using One-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA and independent t-test accordingly. Findings revealed that there was significant difference between the academic achievement of first year students in Cell Biology CBT and PPT modes (F (1, 1129) = 2380.943, P< 0.05). The findings also discovered that there was significant difference between the academic achievement of less and more computer familiarity first- year students in Cell Biology CBT mode, t (1128) = 3.840, P < 0.05. It was recommended among others that schools and departments should be well equipped with computer facilities to enhance computer skills capable of averting any irrelevant variance in the academic achievement of students in Biology electronic assessments. Keywords: Computer-Based Test, Paper-Pencil-Test, Cell Biology, Assessment, Testing Mode, Computer familiarity