Mobile Optical Mark Recognition Application As A Non Inferior Alternative To Manual Marking For Lower And Middle Income Countries

Abstract

Marking examinations is an important but often time consuming academic support activity. This becomes even more so burdensome when educators have to mark hundreds of individual exam sheets. Over the years, mobile optical mark recognition (OMR) applicat ions have gained popularity. This study aims to analyze if there is a difference in accuracy between manual or conventional marking and a mobile OMR application. Using a quasi experimental research design, 429 exam sheets were collected and sorted into control (n=191) and exposure groups (n=238). An independent samples t test revealed that there is no statistically significant difference between the accuracy of conventional marking (M = 99.78%, SD = .11%) and marking using a mobile OMR application (M = 99.9 0, SD = .08); t(8) = 1.87, p = .10. The study can inform educational policy that would employ mobile OMR applications to reduce the time spent on marking exams and allow more time for professional development.