How are Tests Administered for Online Classes
Online classes provide a variety of challenges that traditional education does not have. One of these challenges is how best to administer tests. Obviously, online classes are more self-directed and independent than traditional classes. In keeping with this, students taking online classes usually have very little supervision. This can lead to problems when it comes to taking tests - an activity that is usually supervised by a teacher or teaching assistant.One way to get around this problem is for instructors of online classes to only give "open book" tests. Open book tests are tests for which students can use their textbooks and other materials. These tests challenge students in other ways besides rote memorization, requiring a deeper understanding of the material. This makes it difficult for students to actually cheat, making it easier for instructors to give tests without worrying about dishonest students.
Another way to administer a test for an online class is to make it a timed test. Some online tests, such as tests for online traffic school courses, go this route, figuring that actually looking up the answers would take too long, and the test would not actually be finished. This may stop all but the fastest cheaters, but also does not allow time for serious thinking during the test.
Some instructors skip testing entirely and only assign writing assignments and other work that can be done with books, notes, and other materials available. This bypasses the problem of testing entirely. Assignments provide a different sort of assessments than testing however, and many instructors still want to give tests.
One last way to administer tests for online classes is by using local proctors. When a test is to be taken, it is the student's responsibility to either get to the college, another school that is willing to work with the college providing the online test, or find a different proctor, often a certified teacher. This method provides security in test-taking but is very inconvenient for many students, who may take online classes for the convenience and ease of them, and not wish to go to a college in order to take a test.
