By Aisha Musa Muhammad
The quest for knowledge is a continuous process that begins right from birth to the end of ones life and existence. Man and indeed many other animals and mortal beings learn from one stage to another. Though, there are possibilities for accidental discoveries, the process demands therefore the active participation of the learner and the tutor.
However, these days, many learners have derailed from the positive and active participation to a more deformed and inactive approach to learning sequel to emergence of many modern attributes and the consequence of globalization.
From primary schools levels to secondary, up to tertiary levels one comes across many issues of examinations compromises of standard and principles. Examinations by and large are expected to test a learner’s level of appreciation, skills attainment and practical applications of knowledge gained.
The various examinations bodies such as WAEC, NECO, NBTE, NBAIS and indeed the National Universities Commission are established to regulate, monitor and control standard at the appropriate levels. The expectations are that all set quality and ideals are to be achieved and promoted.
However, the emergence and wide proliferations of Information and Communications Tools (ICT) have directly and indirectly promoted the spread of plagiarism and direct forgery. Many students tend to gain credit points without putting the requited efforts of research, reading, studies, tutorials, and debating key and fundamental points and ideas.
They mostly prefer to waste away their times in games, leisures, unacademic discourses and ventures.
There are many factors that directly militate against effective and efficient academic performances, thereby stimulating and encouraging cheating and compromises in examinations – especially in the Nigerian contextual setting.
Firstly, the readiness of the learner at the appropriate time is very critical. Alas! Many learners are more concerned of getting a pass mark result (and the certificate) rather the actual knowledge and skills required. Thus they tend to ‘cut corners’ by all available ICT tools and facilities.
Secondly, the ICT platforms provide easy access to plagiarism and new inputs that help indolent learners. There some software’s that seem to be easily aiding direct transfer of knowledge from one point to another. Information and Communication Tools are these days presented in various categories and levels to aid and abet any learner or scholar that is interested in ‘learning without doing’.
There are common trends in the examinations malpractices using ICT – that include direct copying and paste, soft ware cloning, and image transplant.
With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) the trend can both magnify and also be easily be detected. The ICT tools if well framed can be a strong panacea for reducing the abilities of individuals to compromise examinations.
The ICT tools ate veritable tools that can be used therefore averting the malpractices by direct and indirect assessments of key factors aiding malpractices. The examinations of ate set to be digitalized can provide improved control and monitoring of students during became nations.
Results forgery and impersonation can also be eliminated by the use of relevant and efficient ICT tools in schools and other places. Improved and upgraded ICT tools will therefore help in curbing the menace.
Conclusion: The coming of ICT in the global setting is both a blessing and a challenge depending upon how they are applied. The need to work together at all levels with strong commitments and reorientation, the trend will change over time. Nigeria is growing economically and politically, thus the need to work together to promote quality, efficiency and transparency in all aspects of human endeavors which can easily be attained with the use of good quality and well framed ICT tools at all levels.
