Delivering online exams using Moodle

Tim Hunt & Mahmoud Kassaei

Moodlemoot Edinburgh 2014

Outline

1. Introduction

2. How it works

3. Summary

The goal

Exams at the OU

• 91,739 exams

• for 400 modules

• at 289 centres around the UK/world

• with 2,576 invigilators

• all on paper (except students with special circumstances)

Data from 2012

From the student’s point of view

Step 1: Get inviteMDL101 exam on 15th April 2014: using a computer

I am writing to offer you the opportunity of taking your above examination on a

computer rather than handwriting your examination.

Why are we doing this?

Many students have told us that typing is easier than handwriting and would prefer

this method of answering examination questions. We have therefore decided to pilot

the use of computers with a small group of students during the October 2013

examination period.

What will completing an examination using a computer be like?

The computer-based examination will be in the same format as the written

examination which will be sat by the rest of the students on the module. …

…

If you would like to volunteer to take part in this pilot and sit the computer

examination, instead of the paper-based examination, at your Regional Centre listed

Step 2: Download browser

Step 3: Try the demo exam

Step 4: Opt in for online exam

Step 5: Get to exam hall

Step 6: Start when told to

Step 7: Answer questions

Step 8: Submit and finish

Summary

Recap: Moodle add-ons

• Custom theme

• Single activity course format Moodle 2.6https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=format_singleactivity

• Quiz auto-save Moodle 2.5https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-38538

• Safe Exam Browser quiz accesshttps://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=quizaccess_safeexambrowser

• Add ‘exam’ type to our course generator script

Separate

Moodle

install

Student commentsThis was much easier than the handwritten exam. The ability to edit answers made for a calmer experience, leaving more time to think of coherant answers (hopefully!)

Much better. I used the answer book for notes + preparation but it was much better to then be able to quickly type everything out. Saved time + less stressful!

I was so anxious about having to write with a pen for 3 hours. I haven’t really handwritten anything much since school over 15 years ago. I’m much more familiar with computers.

Q14 not complete Found it easier to concentrate on the exam for three hours than I have in any handwritten exam – great to go back and re-format answers or even switch between answers without concerns of running out of space.

Options for typed exams

Online ↔ Offline

Student laptops ↔ Institutional computers

Exam hall ↔ Online invigilation

Lock-down ↔ Open book

Thanks to: Paul Johnson & colleagues Exams & Assessment

Phil Butcher Learning & Teaching Solutions

David Baines & colleagues Information Technology