COVID -19 is a global challenge for industry sectors and education is no exception. A majority of universities are contemplating shifting to computer-based testing. Schools have progressed and adapted to learning management system where software applications track, reports, administers and documents materials are shared with students. This teaching and evaluation system facilitates a balanced approach towards imparting knowledge and easy grading of the candidates.
The online exams can be conducted through an artificial intelligence-enabled platform with online invigilation, thus maintaining its integrity. Online testing refers to delivering assessments with computers as an alternative to pen and paper test. It is also known as e-examination that enables examiners to conduct exams using internet or the company-based intranet for remote students. The students need to answer the questions in pre decided time frame. The test window collapses once the exam is over and institutes get real time reports. It is time efficient and effective means of hosting large scale online examinations concurrently. It makes examination process smoother than ever as it offers multiple benefits to students and administrators from conducting examination to delivering reports. It features randomisation of questions and simultaneous student management.
Such assessments can be graded immediately, enabling candidate to analyse their performance and allowing instructors to change their approach based on the data gathered from computer testing. This enables educators to conduct grading for online exam in a much easier way. In contrast, the evaluation process in a traditional exam system is time consuming and prone to error. It is also useful for candidates with special needs for its features, such as braille keyboard, magnification, screen reader, voice to text applications. Online test can eliminate rote learning, which is deeply ingrained in our education system. As it will help students in applying, analysing and then answering questions. Without the fear of memorising, student can peacefully learn concepts. At present students are concentrating more on preparing themselves for exams rather than on conceptual understanding. This can reform the method of teaching and can improve the quality of education.
Unlike traditional examination system, where students need to commute to physical test centres when appearing for examination. The online examination enables students to be at home and appear for examination. As social distancing and restricted travelling are globally accepted at present, conducting online examination from any corner of the world has given hope to various examination bodies/ boards.
Online examination also saves time consumed on arranging supplies, also lowers consumption of resources such as stationery, invigilators or transport facilities. Hence reducing time, cost, effort and expense included in assessment process. The online platform can be used to conduct large number of examinations at a time. It eliminates the scope of human error and hassle of allotting evaluation duties to teachers, also saves time spent in evaluating a large number of answer sheets. It enables the live monitoring of examinees screen from the farthest locations. Online examinations can be integrated with built in functions to curb cheating, such as browser lockdown, key disabling features, proctoring plugins and prevent students from indulging in any unfair means. These security features inherent in the online testing to ensure that test integrity is maintained.
The objectives of online exams are to conduct exams effortlessly in present
pandemic situation. To provide students with flexibility of taking exams from anywhere and reduce exam anxiety among student & parents. It enables the exam conducting bodies/ boards to safeguard the critical data related to assessment questions and examinees. It also lightens the administrative burden by managing and running online exams. A shift from offline to online is needed to mitigate the stress and strain associated with pen and paper exams. The rise in online exams is most desired solution to problems when COVID-19 has disrupted the learning and
examination continuity.
Conducting online exams looks not very familiar & acceptable approach but can be brought into practice with proper training of the faculty.