Ofqual and DfE studying ‘feasibility’ of ‘fully digital’ exams

[PotNoodleTech]

The main barrier to accomplishing this is simply exam boards complete lack of IT knowledge and skills.

 

Alot of exam software doesn't simply "just work" in any modern web browser - schools that may have good equipment levels can't run exams using that existing equipment as it needs a PC or needs some software installed and its windows only.

 

I am 1:1 chromebooks and even though we have all the equipment needed for literally the entire school to sit an exam at the same time during the same lesson on one day - 75% of my online exams have to be done in IT suites spread around hours/days. The kind of exams we put 200 pupils in the gym and hall and give them a pen and paper are literally impossible using IT suites with the current exam boards archaic attitude to software development (a crap insecure windows app usually).

[GrumbleDook]

@Dos_Box ... remember http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/45189-going-meet-man-your-behalf.html ?

[PotNoodleTech]

@Dos_Box ... remember http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/45189-going-meet-man-your-behalf.html ?

 

You could probably just use that thread it's pretty much the same stuff 14 years ago as it is now

[Dos_Box]

@Dos_Box ... remember http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/45189-going-meet-man-your-behalf.html ?

 

I'd forgotten all about that! We stayed in the Coventry City football ground. They had a 'kind' of hotel where the rooms transformed into VIP boxes on match days. Very weird!

But yes, the whole online exams saga grinds on and has been pointed out, it will be, mostly, the same issues all over again I suspect. The only thing that will make it usable will be the introduction of standards that every exam board must abide by.

And to ask school tech staff for feedback first too before they make a complete pigs ear of it!

[TechMonkey]

As others have said, what is needed is a review and update of how exams are done, not a how do we run exams online like we do now. IMO, I think the whole assessment and awarding needs revolution and an overhaul, but I think that would be a step too far for many in education.

 

We all know that just moving real world processes to digital do not always translate well, partly because of the medium but mostly because there are much better ways of doing things when they are digital.

 

But, my prediction is; It won't happen. There will be a consultation, all sensible recommendations will be ignored, a grand plan will be made, it will be horrific, the idea will be ditched as impossible. Or there will be vocal minority that will yell about how handwriting is important and kids don't know they are born so should be forced to write.

[kencampbell]

The main barrier to accomplishing this is simply exam boards complete lack of IT knowledge and skills. Alot of exam software doesn't simply "just work" in any modern web browser - schools that may have good equipment levels can't run exams using that existing equipment as it needs a PC or needs some software installed and its windows only. There is an interesting resource with which students prepare for exams, you can look here and see for yourself. I am 1:1 chromebooks and even though we have all the equipment needed for literally the entire school to sit an exam at the same time during the same lesson on one day - 75% of my online exams have to be done in IT suites spread around hours/days. The kind of exams we put 200 pupils in the gym and hall and give them a pen and paper are literally impossible using IT suites with the current exam boards archaic attitude to software development (a crap insecure windows app usually).

 

Indeed, it is important to consider that the transition to fully digital exams requires a systematic approach, including infrastructure upgrades, teacher training, and the participation of all stakeholders. Not sure if we will see this in the near future.

[chrisgreenwood]

The main barriers to this would be lack of devices, lack of good wifi, and lack of charging capability.

 

Even if a school has 1:1 devices, these couldn't just switch between "day to day" and "exam conditions" use, so you end up needing a set of dedicated "exam computers".

 

We just had a profile on jamf made for exams, even if you swap betwen day to day profile and the exams profiles, all the files stay there (from day to day profile and Exams profile) so we've put an order in for about 15 ipads to shy away from using dedicated computers

[junz]

So we are 1:1 with Chromebooks across most of our secondaries now and use Trelson extensively for exams and it works really well with minimal fuss. However, if you don't have the devices and the required robust network connectivity - thats going to kill it dead.

 

Do you have a separate set of Chromebooks for exams or do you use the 1:1 devices for exams?

[GrumbleDook]

There are 3 main problems involved in looking at this, and none of these are new. As much as I might grumble about BCS at times, their Learning and Development special interest group have a lot of experience around this and are well placed to share ideas/solutions ...

The first problem that schools face is centred around how schools are generally structured. They are designed for end-of-course tests, with courses fixed within an academic calendar. In the same way that 'just in time' learning is still not really catered for, assessment needs to change to let them be taken when a student is ready to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding. This then goes back to focusing on 'learning to learn' approaches ... and the difficulty in changing the whole flipping system. Until schools can assess on an individual and personalised basis, electronic examinations are going to be a problem.

Secondly, there are the logistics of taking the exams. We are not just talking about the number of devices or who owns the device, but the proctoring, the technical support, and the infrastructure ... and it is good to see that discussion going on ... notice that solving the first problem would significantly help with this problem?

And finally, we have the type of assessment. This one still needs more research done and is an area I would always defer to others on. Formative? Summative? And what about the type of questions and style of answering? If diagrams are needed are we talking using a tablet and pen/pencil? Again, a change to the first problem could make a massive difference about how we address this one.

 

For those interested in Learning Theory, I would suggest Donald Clark as good reading that could give insights into the amount of research that has already gone on and is still needed.

 

If anyone is involved at looking at this, I would be interested in chatting with them.

[Brimstone]

The main barriers to this would be lack of devices, lack of good wifi, and lack of charging capability.

 

Even if a school has 1:1 devices, these couldn't just switch between "day to day" and "exam conditions" use, so you end up needing a set of dedicated "exam computers".

Not the case whatsoever, I've sat throught plenty of online technical exams using a "Online Procturing" portal so removes access to onlne resources and other elements.

 

Jamf already have a assessment app that can be used for live exams conditions on the iPad.

 

https://resources.jamf.com/documents/white-papers/The-Jamf-Assessment-App.pdf

[Brax]

Not the case whatsoever, I've sat throught plenty of online technical exams using a "Online Procturing" portal so removes access to onlne resources and other elements.

 

Jamf already have a assessment app that can be used for live exams conditions on the iPad.

 

https://resources.jamf.com/documents/white-papers/The-Jamf-Assessment-App.pdf

That's really good to know, thank you! We're moving to iPads here so i'll forward this to the exam's officer for info.