The Evolution of Online Exams: A Look at the Future of Education
Explore the evolution of online exams and what the future of education might hold for them.
Online exams have become increasingly popular among students and educators in recent years. However, online exams are not new; they have come a long way since their inception. How have online exams evolved? What does the future hold for online exams in education? These are some of the questions that we will explore in this article. In this article, we will look closer at the evolution of online exams and what the future of education might hold for them.
History of Online Exams:
In the 1990s, online exams were applied in the United States; online examinations were initially realized. More than 100 countries have used various professional quiz makers to conduct online exams. For example, in 2020, the TOEFL and IELTS tests were changed from offline to online. Similarly, Duolingo Test also launched online. In the next year, IELTS will be implemented online the world. In this way, online examinations will become a normalized exam mode.
Online exams are not only used to test students’ learning conditions, but more and more companies are adopting online exams when recruiting or assessing employees. Because of the development of science and technology, the online exam system has more and more advantages that can satisfy users.
1. It’s flexible:
Online education enables the teacher and the student to set their own learning pace, and there’s the added flexibility of setting a schedule that fits everyone’s agenda. As a result, using an online educational platform allows for a better balance of work and studies, so there’s no need to give anything up. Studying online teaches you vital time management skills, which makes finding a good work-study balance easier. Having a common agenda between the student and teacher can also prompt both parties to accept new responsibilities and have more autonomy.
2. It’s accessible:
Online education enables you to study or teach from anywhere in the world. This means there’s no need to commute from one place to another or follow a rigid schedule. On top of that, not only do you save time, but you also save money, which can be spent on other priorities. The virtual classroom is also available anywhere there’s an internet connection; a good way to take advantage of this is to travel. For example, online education is a great choice if you’re studying abroad and want a job. There’s no reason to quit working or studying while exploring new and exotic places.
3. It’s more cost-effective than traditional education:
Unlike in-person education methods, online education tends to be more affordable. Often, many payment options let you pay in installments or per class. This allows for better budget management. Many of you may also be subject to discounts or scholarships, so the price is rarely high. You can also save money on the commute and class materials, often available for free.
4-Reduced paper usage:
Online exams can reduce paper usage, which is good for the environment. By eliminating the need for printed exam papers, online exams can help to reduce paper waste and lower the carbon footprint of education.
5-Immediate results:
Online exams can provide immediate results to students, which can help them to identify areas where they need to improve and take corrective measures. This can help students learn from their mistakes and improve their exam performance.
6-Enhanced security:
Online exams can be more secure than traditional, in-person exams. Using advanced security measures such as biometric identification and remote proctoring, online exams can help prevent cheating and ensure academic integrity.
Online Exams May Evolve In the Future:
Artificial intelligence:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being implemented in more and more fields, including education. The main uses of AI in education are related to tutoring and assessment. This paper analyzes using AI for student assessment based on a systematic review. For this purpose, a search was carried out in two databases: Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 454 papers were found, and, after analyzing them according to the PRISMA Statement, a total of 22 papers were selected. It is clear from the studies analyzed that the pedagogy underlying the educational action is not reflected in most of them. Similarly, formative evaluation seems to be the main use of AI.
Another of the main functionalities of AI in assessment is for the automatic grading of students. Several studies analyze the differences between the use of AI and its non-use. We discuss the results and conclude the need for teacher training and further research to understand the possibilities of AI in educational assessment, mainly in other educational levels than higher education. Moreover, it is necessary to increase the wealth of research which focuses on educational aspects more than technical development around AI.
Virtual reality:
Virtual reality: Virtual reality (VR) technology could be used to create immersive exam environments that simulate real-world scenarios. This could be particularly useful for exams in fields such as medicine, where students could practice diagnosing and treating patients in a simulated environment.
Gamification:
Game-based learning, in contrast, involves designing learning activities so that game characteristics and game principles inhere within the learning activities themselves. For example, in an Economics course, students might compete in a virtual stock-trading competition; in a Political Science course, students might role-play as they engage in mock negotiations involving a labour dispute.
In short, gamification applies game elements or a game framework to existing learning activities; game-based learning designs learning activities that are intrinsically game-like.
Gamification and game-based learning both promote engagement and sustained motivation in learning, but they do not necessarily result in improved learning outcomes. For a detailed explanation between these two approaches, and for helpful videos and other resources, consider looking at GOBLIN (Games Offer Bold Learning Insights Nowadays) Education.
Online gamification strategies
Discussion boards
Students may be incentivized to discuss readings before or immediately after class by making them optional but allotting XP points for each post or reply to another post. Points earned could go towards additional help on an assignment (such as allowing a draft to be reviewed first, or having an automatic extension granted), or to completely bypassing an assignment (if the student reaches a certain number of points, they no longer have to complete a specific assignment in the course). You can also facilitate real-time discussions using tools like Padlet or Todaysmeet, each of which allow students to make anonymous contributions.
Quizzes
Rather than presenting a set of seemingly unrelated questions, consider creating a narrative or quest that draws learners in and helps them see the consequence of their responses. Think of your quiz as an interactive narrative: each question leads into the next, and may build upon previous answers, all the while being part of a larger narrative or story that compels the learner to remain engaged.
You may even include hints that the learner can choose to use or not. Be cautious of making these high-stakes assessments – the game-like features of the task will be mitigated and potentially impaired should learners be focused too much on the grade attached. An alternative method is to have students complete a quiz in the online environment, and then come to class, form groups, and complete the same quiz, but now try to convince one another of the correct answer. This can be facilitated through Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IF-AT) cards too.
Personalization:
Personalized learning is an educational approach that aims to customize learning for each student’s strengths, needs, skills, and interests.
Each student gets a learning plan that’s based on what they know and how they learn best.
Personalized learning doesn’t replace an IEP, a 504 plan, or intervention programs.To get an idea of personalized learning, try to picture a classroom that doesn’t have a “one size fits all” approach to education. The teacher doesn’t lead all students through the same lessons. Instead, the teacher guides each student on an individualized journey. The what, when, where, and how of learning is tailored to meet each student’s strengths, skills, needs, and interests.
Students may learn some skills at different paces. But their learning plans still keep them on track to meet the standards for a high school diploma.
That kind of classroom isn’t the reality for most students. But it’s the end goal of personalized learning, which is already being used successfully in some schools and is expanding in several states. Here’s what you need to know.
Blended learning:
Online exams may become more integrated with other modes of education, such as blended learning, which combines online and in-person learning. This could allow for more holistic assessments of student learning and provide a more flexible and personalized educational experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, online exams have become an increasingly popular tool for assessing student learning in the digital age. They offer numerous benefits, including flexibility, accessibility, reduced paper usage, immediate results, and enhanced security. As technology continues to evolve, the future of online exams will likely see further advancements and integration with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Online exams may also become more personalized and integrated with other modes of education, such as blended learning. As such, educators must continue to adapt to new developments in online assessment and embrace the potential of technology to improve the educational experience for students.
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The Evolution of Online Exams
