Disadvantages:
What are the challenges or disadvantages of this
approach or what are issues of concern?
Assessment is generally a stressful experience for students.
Helping them to plan ahead for the test or for projects/papers
gives them confidence, makes the process run more smoothly,
and saves the teacher headaches from unnecessary student trauma.
I have moved toward the Testing Center because testing at home
resulted in complaints of broken Internet connections, sick
children, interruptions while testing and allegations of others
cheating.
The problem with the Testing Center approach is that it decreases
the accessibility of an online course if the student has to
go to a place, even though there is likely one near to them,
and be there at a particular time, even if they get to pick
it.
A few online students will complain if you go with the Testing
Center option. On the other hand, a few will complain about
the potential for cheating if you go with home proctors. And
a few will complain about a randomized test with a time limit.
Online testing is more unusual for the student and, given that
most students find it a more anxiety producing situation, they’ll
be less tolerant of any variation from their expectations. So
set their expectations early.
Discussion Question:
What do you do to prepare students for your assessment activities
(tests or papers)?
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