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Computers Evaluating Essays?

A text-analyzing computer program known as e-reader is being used to score essays for the GMAT and is under consideration for use in the GRE, college admission tests and English proficiency tests. The software grades essays on grammar and structure, but is obviously not advanced enough to evaluate logic. Because computers are cheaper and faster than human graders, e-reader has grown in popularity since the GMAT adopted it in 1999.

Critics of the computer program remain unconvinced of its accuracy:

“When machines can provide a good summary of the Federalist Papers and a competent commentary on their style and cogency, I will then believe that they can replace competent human readers on important assignments,” said Will Fitzhugh, founder of several groups, including the Massachusetts-based National Writing Board, that promote high school research and composition.

(via Boing Boing)

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