Advantages
1. The online tests support progressive learning and reduce incentives for students to cram for a
written
exam.
2. Exam anxiety is greatly reduced as students can take the online tests at a convenient time and location.
3. The tests are marked automatically and marks are available to students as soon as they complete a test.
Challenges
1. Developing pools of questions is initially quite time consuming.
2. Verification of student identity is problematic.
3. The question pools need to be tweaked/refreshed each semester.
Tips for implementation
The online tests have been successful in this large first year course but may be less so in a smaller course or in a different discipline.
How it supports academic integrity
The tests are written in pools and many are algorithmic. Blackboard randomises each test such that every student receives a unique set of questions. Students are given two attempts at each test and these are also randomised so that the second attempt is also a new set of randomised questions. Students have 60 minutes to complete each test once opened so there are few incentives for students to copy and share specific questions.