There are many things to consider when transitioning your school to a digital environment. Online testing and assessments must be addressed since they are so crucial to the curriculum. In this article we’ll cover the top 9 benefits of online testing for schools and the pros and cons of online exams.
Benefits of online test-taking platforms
1 - Students learn digital skills
Many students have grown up in a digital world and will be entering an increasingly digital work environment. The pandemic has also shown us that it is important for students (and teachers) to be prepared for moments when digital learning is the only option. Therefore, acquiring an online test-taking platform can be a way to incorporate digital skills into the curriculum, and give students more opportunities to learn and “work” in a digital setting.
2 - Improved accessibility
While online test-taking platforms are not the answer to all accessibility questions, there are still many ways that digital platforms can be more inclusive, and offer advantages for students.
Online test-taking platforms can offer more confidentiality to students who require extra time or access to material in an alternative format. For example, instead of taking students who require extra time into a separate space, a testing platform allows them to take the test in the same space as their peers. It also gives flexibility to students who need an entirely digital environment, or need the option to have hybrid learning and testing1.
Some accessibility features Digiexam offers are spell check, text-to-speech, and extra time.
3 - Anti-cheating features
Students will always be trying to find ways to cheat on tests. However, online test-taking platforms help create blockers for cheating. Many platforms create lockdown environments where students are unable to access any materials outside of the testing platform. Teachers can create exceptions to this if students need to be able to use any specific websites. There are also online proctoring options to monitor students as they take their exams, which can be more efficient than classic proctoring.
4 - Online proctoring = easier one-to-many proctoring
Traditional proctoring for high-stakes tests, or even for a teacher with many students, is not as secure or effective as online proctoring. For high-stakes tests, there often need to be multiple proctors present, which is costly. If it is just one teacher in the classroom monitoring their test it is easier for students to cheat because the teacher can only have an eye on so many students at a time. Learn about how Digiexam does online proctoring.
5 - Faster feedback for students
For shorter, everyday assessments, an online testing platform gives students faster or instant feedback! If a test is made up of entirely multiple-choice questions students can receive feedback as soon as their test is complete.
For the larger high-stakes tests, students are still able to get feedback faster because teachers can speed up their grading process. Which is our next benefit!
6 - Reduce time spent grading
No more grading tests one by one and correcting simple multiple-choice questions. A test-taking platform lets teachers automate the grading of multiple-choice questions, and helps streamline the grading process.
With certain platforms, like Digiexam, teachers can grade one question at a time for all students allowing them to focus better and get a more holistic view of how the questions were being understood and answered by the class. Teachers can put the time they spend on grading back into the students.
7 - Anonymous grading
There is another benefit of online examination regarding grading, and that is with anonymous grading! Some platforms allow you to grade all of your assessments anonymously. This is a benefit for both the students and teachers so they do not need to worry as much about any biases that could impact their grades. The grades for each student are revealed after the grading process is completed.
8 - No lost tests
Without paper versions, there is no more need to keep track of every individual test. An online testing platform keeps everything in one place where it is easy to access, and will not be lost.
Test-taking platforms that allow working offline means that students will not lose their progress on their tests if the internet connection goes down. So no paper versions will be lost and no digital versions will be lost.
9 - Quickly create tests
Creating a test in a digital tool can take just minutes, and with all previous assessments stored in one platform, teachers can easily reuse old questions on their upcoming tests. It is quick, it is simple, and it is not wasteful!
Learn more about how digital test-taking platforms can help your school and why many schools are switching to digital testing!
Pros and cons of online exams
The benefits of online test-taking platforms encompass everything from enhanced digital skills to environmental sustainability. However, it is important to delve deeper into the specific dynamics of online exams themselves. While there is a bit of an overlap in terms of benefits, there are a few unique pros and cons of online exams that educators, students, and institutions should keep in mind.
Pros of online examinations
Below are the most prevalent advantages of online examination for students and teachers alike:
- Environmentally friendly: Online exams allow schools to remove the need for pen and paper. No more printing out hundreds of sheets of paper a year, only to have them thrown away (hopefully properly recycled).
- Diverse question formats: One of the biggest benefits of online examination is the fact that you can incorporate a wide range of question types, including interactive, multimedia-based, and adaptive questions for a more diverse examination.
- Data-driven insights: The digital nature of online exams allows for easy and effective collection and analysis of detailed data on student performance on a large scale. As such, educators can gain valuable insights into learning gaps, areas for improvement, and the effectiveness of teaching strategies.
Cons of online examinations
The most important question in this discussion is: do the pros outweigh the cons of online exams? From our perspective it is a clear YES, however, they are still important to keep in mind to prevent them from becoming a problem.
- Over-reliance on technology: Excessive dependence on technology for assessments could lead to a lack of development in traditional examination skills such as handwriting and the ability to perform under non-digital examination settings.
- Potential for over-standardization: The push towards online examinations might lead to a one-size-fits-all approach, which may not adequately address the unique learning styles, preferences, and needs of all students.
- Ethical and privacy issues: Online proctoring solutions often involve surveillance measures that raise concerns about student privacy and the ethics of constant monitoring, necessitating a careful balance between integrity and rights.
FAQ
1. How do online test-taking platforms ensure fairness and equity among students with varying access to technology?
Online test-taking platforms often incorporate features to ensure fairness, such as adaptive technology for students with disabilities and providing tests in multiple languages. However, ensuring equitable access to technology requires broader societal and educational strategies, including providing devices and internet access to underprivileged students, and training for both students and educators in digital literacy.
2. What are the specific challenges and drawbacks of online test-taking platforms, and how can they be mitigated?
Challenges of online testing include technical issues, the potential for increased student anxiety, and concerns about academic integrity. These can be mitigated through robust technical support, practice sessions for students to familiarize themselves with the platform, and using a mix of question types with a secure lockdown that make cheating more difficult.
3. How do these platforms integrate with existing educational technologies and learning management systems?
Most online test-taking platforms are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing learning management systems (LMS) and educational tools. This integration typically allows for single sign-on, direct transfer of grades into grade books, and aligning test content with the curriculum delivered through the LMS.
4. What are the advantages of examinations for students?
The advantages of examinations for students include the convenience of taking tests from any location, immediate feedback on performance, and customized accessibility features to support diverse learning needs, all contributing to a more tailored and efficient assessment experience.
Resources:
[1] Pichette, J., Brumwell, S., Rizk, J. (2020) Improving the Accessibility of Remote Higher Education: Lessons from the Pandemic and Recommendations. Toronto: Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario.