Image: Andrea Piacquadio/PexelsThe pressure of marking examination scripts under tight deadlines is a reality for every South African schoolteacher; however, an innovation from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) can help alleviate the load.
LEDIMTLALI (Local Evidence-Driven Improvement of Mathematics Teaching and Learning Initiative) is a unit at the Faculty of Education that has developed an automatic marking system for multiple-choice question papers. The marking system, called LEAM, was conceptualised by Prof. Cyril Julie, the project leader of LEDIMTLALI, and developed by the Project Administrator, Cuan Esbach, with the assistance of the two project workers, Roberta Augusta Smith and Dr Edward Charles Smith of LEDIMTALI.
Explaining the system, Prof Julie said that it was an idea borne from the introduction of the new qualification in Grade 9, the General Education Certificate (GEC). Learners would write the test and be able to exit high school before Grade 12, then diversify their learning pathways, training or employment. Prof Julie said: “This system could be a game-changer for the upcoming General Education Certificate, where up to 80% of the questions are multiple choice.”
Teachers would be able to upload scanned answer sheets from learners and then automatically mark multiple-choice questions using the optical character recognition (OCR) software that LEAM uses. They can then generate print-ready results in seconds. LEAM is entirely offline, making it ideal for schools with limited connectivity and no internet access.
The system is currently optimised for 10-question multiple-choice tests, with plans to expand to longer assessments and even handwritten responses in future versions.
“We wanted something that works offline, without needing smartphones or internet access, something practical for under-resourced schools. We’re not just building software; we’re really building solutions for real classrooms,” said Prof Julie.
LEAM was trialled in the Namaqua District in the Northern Cape and in Piketberg. It will soon be trialled at schools on the Cape Flats and in the Ashton/Robertson area.
“Teachers are overwhelmed with work. Marking takes up a huge amount of time. If we can lessen that burden, we free them to focus on teaching,” continued Prof Julie.
The LEDMITLALI team continues to work on further enhancing the software and expanding the pilot project.
@uwconline Marking made simple. Cuan Esbach introduces UWC’s LEAM - an automatic exam marking system that offers real solutions for under-resourced schools. #IAmUWC ? Countless - Official Sound Studio
