Preview

A Case Study of Utilizing Online Exams

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3779 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
A Case Study of Utilizing Online Exams
Journal of College Teaching & Learning – December 2009

Volume 6, Number 8

Utilizing Online Exams: A Case Study
Stacy M.P. Schmidt, Ed.D., California State University, Bakersfield, USA David L. Ralph, Ph.D., Pepperdine University, USA Bruce Buskirk, Ph.D., Pepperdine University, USA

ABSTRACT Technology has opened a wide range of possibilities for the college classroom. Thus, the classroom has changed in a variety of ways. Some courses have been converted to fully online courses. Students and instructors do not have any face-to-face contact in these courses. Other courses have converted a portion of their courses to online. These classes are generally referred to as Hybrid classes. Students and instructors meet face-to-face for a portion of the course and complete online assignments for the remainder of the course. Some other courses have maintained their face-to-face course but have integrated technology into those courses. Instructors have utilized a variety of technologies that include but are not limited to: Live Chats, Threaded Discussions – Forums, Powerpoint Presentations, Email, Videos, Software, Spreadsheets, Word Processors, Online Portals, Electronic Portfolios/Projects, Online Exams. This is a case study of the implementation of online exams in a traditional classroom. Students are given a paper and pencil exam that has been utilized previously in other courses as the midterm. Then an online exam was utilized in the courses. The case study looks at the success of the exam from the point of view of the students and instructors. Students overwhelmingly indicated that the online exam was superior to the paper exam. Students indicated that the online exams provided an opportunity for students to complete the exam at a time that was best for them. They were able to pick a time that reduced anxiety. The online exam also provided immediate feedback on how they did. Faculty indicated that although the online exam does have a few glitches and there are



References: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Bugeja, M. (2007). Distractions in the Wireless Classroom. Chronicle of Higher Education, 53, Connors, S. (2007). 21st Century Tools, Phi Delta Kappan, 89, 320. Hale, S. (2007). Being Online. Academe, 93. Hay, I. & Bull, J. (2002). Passing Online Exams. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 26, 239244. How Professors Are Using Technology: a Report From the Trenches. (2007) Chronicle of Higher Education, 54, pB21-B23. Luecht, R. M. (2001). Challenges of web-based assessment. American Educational Research Association Proceedings, Seattle, WA. Patterson, D. (2006). A large-scale, Asynchronous, Web-based MSW Comprehensive Exam Administration:Outcomes and Lesson s Learned. Journal of Social Work Education, 42, 14. Ralph, D. L., Buskirk, B. D., Schmidt, S. M.P. (2007). Online Projects VS the 3 Ring Binder: A Case Study. The Business Review, Cambridge, 9, 106-111. Rowh, M. (2007). E-Learning: The Anytime, Anywhere Option. Career World, 36, 22-25. Schmidt, S. M. P., Ralph, D. L., & Buskirk, B. (2006) E-Portfolios: Improving Education or a Cumbersome Fad? College Teaching and Learning Conference Proceedings, Electronic Publication. Steinman, D. (2007). Educational Experiences and the Online Student. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 51, 46-52. Walker, C. & Kelly, E. (2007). Online Instruction: Student Satisfaction, Kudos, and Pet Peeves. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 8, 11. 8

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Algebra, Spanish, World History, Chemistry, English Literature are just some of the myriad of dishes being served on online education buffets. Students are free to pile their plates high with the sciences, the arts, the languages, and countless other subjects due to the growing trend of distance learning courses offered through the Web. Teachers, however, are becoming more dissatisfied with distance learning methods and remain adamant about face to face courses; in response to the competition between online and face to face courses, discord has erupted among teachers and their students. Ellen Laird effectively compares and contrasts the two distinct teaching ideologies and their effects on students and on teachers; Laird accomplishes her analysis of…

    • 888 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Computers and education are permanently bound, and any educational structure must incorporate them into their plan. Nearly every job in the real world uses some form of computer and it is imperative for students to familiarize themselves with this shift. The internet makes it possible for students to not have to associate learning in a classroom, as courses can be attended in any environment, whether it be at home or in the library. Without the physical confines students have much more enthusiasm for their subjects (Koch, 2014). This can make the teacher’s job easier and the student’s assignments more rewarding as the software programs take novel approaches toward…

    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Online learning is growing rapidly. There are more students choosing to go to school online then there were ten years ago. Student demand is one of the many factors contributing to the growth of online learning. Some students are looking for the opportunities of the convience that online learning offers. Technology has made it possible for teachers and students to ineract thru the internet. Online learning is beneficial to students.…

    • 1822 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Technology can support nearly every aspect of assessment in one way or another, from the administration of individual tests and assignments to the management of assessment across a faculty or institution; from automatically marked on-screen tests to tools to support human marking and feedback. Clearly, though, for technology-enhanced assessment to be effective, pedagogically sound developments need to be supported by robust and appropriate technology, within a supportive institutional or departmental context.…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    While online classes are a part of many colleges, there is intense debate over whether they should be incorporated into high school education. The advocates of online education key in on the convenience, flexibility, self direction, cost savings, safety, creativity, pacing aspect and access to resources. Those opposed to online classes feel that online education is driven solely by budget cuts and the result is a cheaper education that has less guidance, lacks the social aspect, has accreditation issues and as a result, less beneficial to the students. Others think that blended learning which combines virtual education and face-to-face instruction is the most effective route, but possibly not the most cost effective.…

    • 1736 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Allen, I.E. & Seaman, J. (2006). Making the Grade: Online education in the United States, 2006. Needham, MA: Sloan Consortium. Retrieved from…

    • 12295 Words
    • 50 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Barrett, H.C. (2004, April). Differentiating electronic portfolios and online assessment management systems. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association: San Diego, CA.…

    • 7293 Words
    • 30 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Online Classroom Analysis

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The in-classroom setting has been around for centuries it has only been in the past recent years since they have introduced the revolutionary online class. When comparing online classes to a physical classroom, three aspects should be considered; the working environment, the productivity of the student, and the access to help.…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ten years ago it was estimated that there were very small number of students who were enrolled in online classes. (Lytle, 2011) Now in 2015 that number has increased to 6.7 million students. (Seaman, 2013). According to the Sloan online survey, every year there is 12.1 percent growth of online course through the US colleges and universities. (Lytle, 2011) With the increase in this kind of convenient, virtual education comes with some serious consequences. Virtual classes are a great alternative to busy moms, full time employees, or perhaps even the disabled population but it all comes with a cost. This country needs people who are capable or appropriate interactions and are bold in character to lead them into the future. Traditional campuses provide an atmosphere that forces the students to develop these needed skills. Online classes are limiting this socialization, robbing students of the opportunity to make valued memories while lowering the quality of the education and increasing the opportunity for cheating. Colleges need to consider creating well rounded generations rather than making tons of money from growing online…

    • 1134 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Online vs Classroom

    • 602 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The online course is a new phenomenon in education that allows students to take courses online, or through a computer database a school might offer. In this manner, students can learn at their own rate, and not have to physically answer to a professor in a typical classroom situation. This innovation allows students who may have families, or other obligations, to get degrees from home. However, there is little supervision that would be imparted to the student, as he or she takes the required testing or written projects through email online.…

    • 602 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    References: Allen, I. Elaine; Seaman, Jeff (2006). Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006. The Sloan Consortium.…

    • 602 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Online Education

    • 1801 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The modern age is the age of information technology and eLearning. The world has literally been placed on one’s finger tips. A click of a mouse can take you across the globe in a jiffy. The steep learning curve of knowledge never seemed so easy to scale in the past. Cyber technology and cyber learning are now the new mantras to success. Thanks to the internet traditional class rooms are rapidly giving way to ultra-modern online classes. Computer technology has opened up a new world of eLearning opportunities for everyone to benefit from. Technology is the backbone of online education and has opened innumerable new vistas of learning opportunities. One hardly has a reason or an excuse today to stay away from the limitless world of knowledge that has literally walked to one’s doorstep. Be it the field of science or literature, online classes can be a real answer to one’s learning needs. There is hardly any reason to be skeptical about online learning as the concept has now fully come of age and has long passed the trial period. Online education has asserted its relevance and success in unequivocal terms. Today, one can confidently make an informed decision to join online classes over the traditional ones for certain distinct advantages.…

    • 1801 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Online examination is an assesment that use network connection or internet in its process. Individuals and students must sign in on an assessment program or web link by entering their username and password. Then they choose the course that will be tested and the student start answering the questions that is shown on the screen. After they have finished the examination, the student taking the exam must click on a certain button that would require finishing the examination process. Even though this seems easy, online examination has its advantages and disadvantages as well.…

    • 465 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    for college and a career. In only a short time, the education technology policy landscape has changed…

    • 8463 Words
    • 34 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Georgia
State
University
College
of
Business
ran
a
voluntary
pilot
from
2002
to
2003
using
an identical
online
version
of
their
paper
course
evaluation
form
in
the
Department
of
Computer information
Systems.
Faculty
feared
an
online
form
would
yield
lower
scores
and
lower
response rates.
In
particular, the
fear
was
that
few
students
would
submit
online
evaluations,
poor
students
would
“take
revenge”
on
the
faculty
and
good
students
wouldn’t
bother.
The
paper
form
had
a
67%
response rate
and
the
online
form
had
an
82%
response
rate.
This
likely
due
to
the
fact
that
the
CIS
department
had
easy
access
to
computer
labs
for
students
to
take
the
evaluations
online.
Using
a
question
on
teacher
effectiveness,
the
study
found
no
significant
difference
between
the
methods.
Good
students
participated
in
the
same
numbers
and
weaker
students
did
fewer
online
evaluations.…

    • 569 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays