Tuesday, February 2, 1999 The University Daily Kansan Section A · Page 5 GMAT adds computer grading By Chris Hopkins Kansan staff writer For people who think that the essay graders for national tests are indifferent machines, by Feb. 10, they'll be partially right. The essays used in the Graduate Management Admissions Test, which is the test that business students take to get into graduate school, will be in part graded by computers starting in eight days. The essay still will be graded by a person. The computer will replace the second professor who also grades the test. It will check for items such as key words and phrases, spelling, grammar and transitional words. Dave Collins, associate director of master's programs for the KU School of Business, said that although the computer grading was a departure, it was not a huge difference. *T恤衫 is not toalily out of line with* *The t衣 is doily doing it with the* *sauce. Collins said that he felt comfortable with the new situation because there was a safety net if needed. If the evaluator's and the computer's grades are separated by more than one point on the 0-6 point grading scale, the essay is sent to another professor who assigns a final grade. "I feel like they still need to keep some human touch in there." Collins said. Other members of the team were also in the system. Richard F. Hardin, chairman of the English department, said that a computer might trip up on some typical problems. "It just seems to me that on the whole computers can tell you how many words you have, but computers can't even handle sentence fragments or subject-verb agreement." Hardin said. "I think it's silly." Hardin thought that computers had a place in English classrooms but not with the grading. "I think you can use computers for teaching writing but evaluating it? Maybe it'll happen someday, but as far as I know, there's no one who can that right now," he said. Michelle Eodice, assistant director of writing consulting, which administers the Writer's Roosts, said that computers already were being used to evaluate English students at other universities. She said that some schools placed students in appropriate level English classes by using a computer to check essays. Eodice thought that the program could work, depending on the ability of the creator. "I think it's just like anything else that's programmed," she said. "It's only as good as the programmer." Lettie Ebbs, Pittsburg senior in business, will present the report in take- GMAT eventually but was concerned about the computer grading. Ebb compared the grading program to the grammar checking device in Microsoft Word. "It doesn't always look for the right things," she said. Trent Anderson, a spokesman with Kaplan Educational Centers, which offers preparatory classes for the GMAT, said that students still would need to worry about audience. They would have to make sure that they wrote with both the professor and the computer in mind. KAPLAN GMAT TIPS Tips from Kaplan Education Centers on taking the GMAT, the business graduate school test. Decide on a structure before taking the test. Outline before you write your essay. Consider points made by other great essays on the same topic and attack unwarranted assumptions. Use transitional phrases such as "since," "therefore" and "for example," so the computer sees a structured argument. Use synonyms to demonstrate a strong vocabulary. Be very careful to avoid spelling and grammatical errors. - Remember that a person still will grade the essay, so creativity, humor, tone, nuance and forceful writing are important. New printers to decrease library noise Bv Karen Lucas Special to the Kansan Watson Library patrons now can avoid the slow print jobs and the frequent paper jams of reference room printers. Ten computers were hooked up to a laser printer during winter break. Before then, database downloads and information from the Internet had to go through problematic dot matrix printers. "It's going to be a lot better for everyone," said Faye Christenberry. Watson reference librarian. "It should be nicer for patrons because it's a lot quieter and the quality of the print is much better. It means less maintenance for us. Before, we were spending a lot of time fixing jams." For the time being, the laser printing is free. "We're trying to make sure the procedures are working," said Julia Rholes, assistant dean for information services. "We don't want to charge until everything is running smoothly." Following the trial period, a double-sided, laser-printed page will cost 10 cents. KU students and faculty will have to use their KUIDs for laser printing, Rholes said. Rholes also said patrons still would have the option of using dot matrix printers. They will continue to be free. Students expressed mixed views about being charged for laser printing. "It's worth it," said Steve Kaup, Lawrence junior. "You're paying for the quality." Cost was a factor for Patricia Siders, Lawrence senior. "I probably wouldn't print off the laser printer because it would be a waste of money," Siders said. "The dot matrix printer works well enough for research purposes." "After we're convinced it works well enough in Watson, we will add another printer there and a printer in Anschutz," said John Miller, assistant dean for information technology. The introduction of laser printing in Watson is a preview of what is to come in various other libraries on campus. There are plans to add laser printers in the Art and Architecture Library, the Spahr Engineering Library and the Music Library later in the semester, Miller said. Buy one 20oz. burrito and get the 2nd for 1/2 price! (5-9 p.m.) Every Tuesday night!! Every Tuesday is a Terrific Tuesday! We now Deliver!! 865-0700 Downtown Lawrence-743 Mass. --same day service! How Would You Score? 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