Beginning Fall 2021, UMBC will employ Akindi for bubble sheet assessments. Akinidi is a Scantron alternative that allows instructors to print and score bubble sheets from any local printer/scanner. Results are processed almost immediately.
| Scantrons | Akindi | |
|---|---|---|
How much time does it take to return bubble sheets to students? | Variable, but is time consuming Collecting Scantrons, dropping them off at the TSC, waiting for Scantrons to be scored, picking up Scantrons; time spent with Scantrons can add up. | Almost immediately Scan your bubble sheets into a local networked printer. The scanned PDF is uploaded into Akindi’s interface and immediately graded. |
Will I have assessment data by the next class period? | Not reliably Time to scan Scantron assessments is variable: the number of assessments in the queue at the TSC, when you can drop off Scantrons, etc. | Yes! You are in control when bubble sheets are scored. Akindi better supports just-in-time teaching to inform topics that need to be covered next class. |
What if my answer key is incorrect? How can I review analytics? | Time for a regrade If there is something wrong with the key, all Scantrons need a rescore. A PDF of analytics is provided. | Updating a key is a click away Update the key within Blackboard. Analytics can be exported via PDF or CSV for more robust analysis. |
How can students receive and review their bubble sheets? | Wait until class or office hours Students have to review the original, physical bubble sheet. | Email receipts available You can return the physical bubble sheet and/or email a copy of the scan. |
What happens to the bubble sheet? | It’s probably still at the TSC Bubble sheets take up physical space. Whether you are returning bubble sheets or retaining them for your own record, Scantrons must be picked up from the TSC. | Save the PDF in the cloud You do not need to keep the physical bubble sheets. The scanned PDF can be stored on a computer or cloud storage. A copy will always stay in the Akindi cloud, too. |
How do I upload scores into my Blackboard course? | Add the grades yourself The scores are in your course’s Content Collection; you have to manually add the CSV file to the Grade Center to post grades. | Scores are automatically posted Once the PDF of scanned bubble sheets is imported, Akindi will automatically post the grades to your Grade Center. |