ADVERTISEMENT

Android app can guess students' results before exams

Researchers at Dartmouth College have shown that data automatically collected by an Android app can guess how students are spending their time and predicting their end-of-term grades with scary accuracy.

A student Playing with a phone

Researchers at Dartmouth College have shown that data automatically collected by an Android app can guess how students are spending their time and predicting their end-of-term grades with scary accuracy, nprEd reports.

ADVERTISEMENT

The lead investigator, Andrew Campbell, explained the findings, which he admits sound a bit "creepy".

Campbell explained that smartphones generally have Wi-fi, GPS to detect location, an accelerometer which detects motion and a microphone, which can pick up nearby sound, while also sensing if the phone is being charged or being used.

He said, using this information and a map of the campus, the researchers designed an app that modelled several different behaviour scenarios:

ADVERTISEMENT

Sleeping: It's night-time, your phone is charging in your dorm room, and you are not interacting with it.

Physical activity: You're walking or running.

Studying: You're in the library, a computer lab or a coffee shop that is a popular study location. The noise level is relatively low. You're there at least 20 minutes. The app infers your level of focus by seeing how often you check the phone during the study period, and whether you're staying in one spot or roaming around.

Partying: You're at a fraternity or sorority house. You don't live there. It's loud.

When tested on about 30 undergraduate students the results showed that students who spend more time studying get better grades.

ADVERTISEMENT

Interestingly, they also discovered that students with better grades studied in louder locations, linked possibly with group study discussions.

With this app, a student can know before the exams what his chances are of passing an exam.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

5 young women who embody Y2K and alte fashion

5 young women who embody Y2K and alte fashion

How March became women's history month

How March became women's history month

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT