e-examinations

While the coronavirus forces the world to cancel traditional classes and turn to e-learning, it also turns many traditional examinations into e-examinations.  We have even less experience with e-exams than e-learning.  Hence it is not surprising that it is now throwing up a set of new issues.  But it also illuminates a set of long-existing, deep-seated issues. 

First things first.  Some teachers are asking students to take the examination on line at a prescribed time, using a specified software.  Many people immediately cry “zoombombing”, presumably referring to the unwanted intrusion into a video conference by unauthorised persons.  In reality, zoombombing is possible only when the host of the video conference neglects to implement basic precautions such as password, waiting room, etc.  Many such worries can be addressed by proper, easy procedures. 

Some scream “invasion of privacy” when the students are asked to prove their identity - perhaps with their HKID card and/or student ID card.  Such are actually standard procedure at the regular examinations at most universities.  Students may not wish anyone beyond the invigilator to see their ID.  But such can be arranged, e.g., by having a virtual private room with restricted access for identity verification.  There is additional risk when this process is conducted online.  But such risks are not that much different from what happens when you have to supply credit card, phone number, email address, or other kinds of personal information for the purpose of purchasing, submitting an application, etc.  Such is the risk we have to take, in order to reap the benefits of online transactions.  Hopefully balance can be struck somewhere that can be satisfactory to the largest number of stake-holders.  It may not be easy to satisfy all.  But such as life.  

It is quite educating to observe that those who scream the loudest, are most agitated, and urging most aggressive actions do not seem to be the actual students involved, but bystanders.  Is it because they understand the threats better than the students themselves?  I doubt it, based on what I can understand from some of the online chatrooms.  Rather, I suspect, it is because the bystanders are not the ones who have to take the action, to protest, to organise, to confront, hence having to bear the consequences of the action.  In most cases. the bystanders are anonymous.  They do not have to bear the consequences of the action they are urging.  

Let me back off a little from the nitty-gritty to see the bigger picture.  The targets of attention seem to be a small number of classes from different universities which are taking relatively strong action to ensure the integrity of the e-examinations - by checking identify, asking the students to take the e-exam at the same time, turning on the camera so that the invigilator can see the student, etc.  It seems that many lecturers are letting the students take the e-exam at home, without any effort to ensure it is the intended student who is taking the examination without help.  It seems some lecturers have a lot  faith in their students performing honourably.    

If I were a honest student, I would be quite upset.  In a regular examination in an examination hall, everyone is taking the exam under the same conditions.  But such is not the same with e-exams.  While I am taking the e-exam by myself, my fellow classmates may be working on the exam together through social media, or receiving help somewhere.  All the time the subject lecturer does nothing to prevent this from happening.  Is that fair?  Is this not dereliction of duty?  Who do I sue?  Perhaps I should seek some help as well?  Is it assumed that everyone seeks help?  So if I don’t, I am being foolish?  Can we discuss this?  Is this discussed somewhere?   What kind of education system is this?  

Actually this is an old and well-known problem.  At the universities, there are many professors who do not want to spend a lot of time on the mundane matter of teaching.  They would rather spend their time doing research, which is a much surer way to achieve fame and fortune in the academic world these days.  Hence the minimal effort to conduct e-exams when it is needed.  When questioned, they might say that there is no evidence that the students are cheating.  They may even say no one has told them what to do in such situations.  Surely, when one is not checking, there will not be evidence.  Just like the tests for the coronavirus - when one is not (or doing very little) testing, there will be no (or very little) confirmed cases of infection.  Ignorance is bliss. 

So, the new reality of e-examination is throwing up some new phenomenon as well as some old ones.  

But all is not to despair - yet.  There are plenty of honourable students as well as professors.  Right at this moment, I know many professors are spending a lot of time setting interesting and challenging examination questions, and designing the examination protocols to ensure the integrity and fairness of the examinations.  All the time knowing that they may actually attract questions and challenges from students as well as colleagues.  But they still do it because they believe this is what professors do. There are also many many students studying hard, determined to do their best in a honourable way.  I just pray that the honourable way can be as infectious as the virus.