PENANG, 12 December 2020 - A group of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has invented a product called i-Test CAD to improve the test assessment method for learning outcome of CAD software through e-learning.

This invention recently won a silver medal in the 31^stInternational Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2020, held online for the first time due to the ongoing worldwide COVID-19 outbreak.

According to the head of the research group, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Salman Abu Mansor, from the USM School of Mechanical Engineering, i-Test CAD is invented with the aim of reducing the use of paper, while also fulfilling the aspirations of the university, the country and the agenda on sustainability.

“The main issue here is that, previous assessment methods for the learning outcome of CAD software in the subject of Engineering Drawing have been conducted with the use of papers and were quite costly.

“In the era of IR 4.0, such a method is no longer suitable as it required a sizeable number of paper scripts and it is also time-consuming to conduct the test,” he added.

Therefore, he said, i-Test CAD is invented by using the e-learning platform to attain the main objectives, which is to provide a platform where paperless test questions and answer scripts can be employed, to obtain the initial test results quickly, and to encourage the practice of having paperless tests with regard to environmental sustainability, in turn fulfilling the demands of IR 4.0 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Mohd Salman said, i-Test CAD has been developed to fulfil current trends of learning and assessment and it is useful in grabbing the learners’ attention as there will be online test assessments, quick evaluation of the learners’ performance and would encourage learners to work within the context of environmental sustainability.

“The i-Test CAD will bring about a new solution, a reduction in cost, an improvement in quality and an enhancement in performance for the test assessments in the local and global educational markets.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, i-Test CAD has offered added values as it can be used and adapted easily for assessment tests within the new normal,” he said.

He also added that, marking and grading methods using i-Test CAD can also be done online, anywhere at any time. This will benefit users especially, to save a lot of time and paper, in addition to not having the need to carry answer scripts and which will also lower the risks of missing answer scripts.

Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias