Efficiency, challenges, and limitations of web-based exams for astronomy courses

Saleh Said Al-Shidhani

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

As educational institutes drifting to more dependency on online learning, the efficiency and limitations of Webbased exams were questioned. Online exams were used as continuous assessment for large classes. The fidelity of web-based tests was investigated from several aspects, as an alternative tool to traditional exams, fulfilling the course conceptual nature and probing higher levels of spatial thinking, reasoning and imagination. Online questionnaire with several measures was used to survey students' perceptions and preferences. The paper also reports findings regarding preparation time, ease of use, system stability, environmental settings and other requirements. New solutions were proposed to overcome students' bad behaviours as well as to achieve a balance between students' demanded flexibility and the demands of exam quality-assurance. The demands of informative and summative question data banks and analyzing questions in terms of difficulties and vagueness were described.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 13th IASTED International Conference on Internet and Multimedia Systems and Applications, IMSA 2009
Pages39-46
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Event13th IASTED International Conference on Internet and Multimedia Systems and Applications, IMSA 2009 - Honolulu, HI, United States
Duration: Aug 17 2009Aug 19 2009

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 13th IASTED International Conference on Internet and Multimedia Systems and Applications, IMSA 2009

Other

Other13th IASTED International Conference on Internet and Multimedia Systems and Applications, IMSA 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHonolulu, HI
Period8/17/098/19/09

Keywords

  • Astronomy learning
  • E-assessments
  • E-learning
  • Higher education

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Computer Science Applications

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