ITB Lecturers Develop SmartEdu App for Digital University Exams

A research team from the Electrical Engineering and Informatics School (STEI) at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) has created a digital examination application named SmartEdu. This innovative tool is designed to streamline the process of conducting university-level assessments, including managing exam questions and processing results.

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SmartEdu helps measure learning achievements.

According to Adi Indrayanto, the research team leader, SmartEdu aids in measuring learning achievements. He has implemented the application in his own courses, such as professional ethics, industrial engineering management, and electronics industry. The system utilizes ITB's smartphones, stored in a 50-unit capacity box, for multiple-choice exams where questions and answer options are randomized to deter cheating.

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Participants in the exam who use this system will have their questions and answer choices randomized, making it more difficult to cheat.

Beyond formal exams, SmartEdu can be used for weekly quizzes, providing immediate feedback on student performance. This allows lecturers to identify areas where students struggled and focus their teaching efforts more effectively, thereby optimizing learning time. The application, which holds a patent certificate, was initially inspired by a requirement from the National Civil Service Agency (BKN) for a computer-based written examination system to recruit civil servants, particularly in regions with limited access to computers and the internet.

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Lecturers can then focus more on teaching the topics that were answered incorrectly the most.

Team member Ahmad Fitryansyah explained that participants can see their results immediately after the test concludes. The system also allows test creators to provide specific feedback on correct answers. SmartEdu requires a wireless connection (access point) from a central server to the devices, with the exam equipment configured to only access the application, not the broader internet. While primarily designed for smartphones, the application can adapt to larger screens, like tablet computers, for exams. The team hopes SmartEdu will be adopted by institutions beyond ITB, including schools from primary to high school levels, and for various other testing purposes.

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They had to bring many personal computers or laptops to hold the exam.