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Should online assessment be the go-to choice for academic institutions in the post-pandemic world?

Vinson Revans

In today's digital age, online assessment is rapidly being adopted by academic institutions as a new normal mode of evaluating student performance. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of online assessment has increased manifold as educational institutions scramble to find effective solutions to continue with teaching and learning in the virtual space. But the question remains whether online assessment should be the go-to choice for academic institutions in the post-pandemic world.

The advantages of online assessment cannot be denied. Firstly, it provides flexibility and convenience to both students and instructors. Students can take the tests from anywhere at any time, and instructors can grade them easily without requiring physical attendance. Secondly, online assessment can provide immediate feedback to students on their performance, speeding up the learning process. Moreover, it can lead to standardized testing, which eliminates the possibility of bias and increases accuracy. Finally, online assessment provides institutions with data analytics that can be used to identify areas that require improvement and to enhance the overall education system.

However, along with the advantages come certain challenges that we must consider. Firstly, online assessments may not meet certain requirements, such as open-book exams, group projects, or lab work. These types of assessments require physical involvement and the use of resources, which cannot be replicated online. Secondly, online assessments, despite all efforts, may not be able to provide a level playing field as there could be discrepancies in the resources and internet infrastructure available to students. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds may be at a disadvantage with respect to the quality of education they receive. Thirdly, cheating and plagiarism are more prevalent in online assessments as students may have access to external resources that they can use to find answers to questions. Finally, online assessments may also impact the skills needed for traditional in-person assessments, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.

In conclusion, while online assessments have certain advantages in terms of convenience, immediate feedback, and data analytics, they also come with significant challenges that cannot be ignored. Thus, in the post-pandemic world, online assessment can be one of the modes of assessment but should not be the go-to choice. Academic institutions should continue to strive for a balance between virtual and in-person assessments, ensuring that both are used where appropriate, and the quality of education is maintained, irrespective of the mode of evaluation.