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The end of handwriting? Using computers in traditional essay examinations
Author(s) -
Mogey N.,
Sarab G.,
Haywood J.,
Van Heyningen S.,
Dewhurst D.,
Hounsell D.,
Neilson R.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of computer assisted learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.583
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2729
pISSN - 0266-4909
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2729.2007.00243.x
Subject(s) - handwriting , computer science , context (archaeology) , task (project management) , software , equity (law) , computer assisted instruction , multimedia , mathematics education , psychology , artificial intelligence , programming language , management , paleontology , political science , law , economics , biology
Most of our students complete most of their written assignments using a word processor, but they are still asked to handwrite responses in an examination. It could be argued that they have not practiced this task and the validity of the assessment could thus be questioned. This paper explores the possibility of bringing computers into the traditional essay‐examination context, describes an appropriate hardware and software configuration, and provides feedback from initial evaluations with students and their reactions to the idea. Some of the implications and equity concerns that need to be considered before a decision can be made to use computers in essay exams are also discussed.