Volume 13, Number 4

Online Learning During Covid-19 Pandemic, and Possibility of Adopting Computer-Based Test

  Authors

Rabea Emdas¹ and Ahmed Alruwaili², ¹Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, ²La Trobe University, Australia

  Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the educational institutions in Australia and New Zealand, thus online learning was a significant option for education to be smoothly continued. This could possibly enhance the Computer-based exams (CBEs) to be used in various courses, such as schools, universities and other training centres. As there are many educational institutions which have chosen to convert from paper test system to computer- based exam. However, adopting computer tests may lead to some difficulties for the students, which relates to technical defects and lake of computer skills of some students when they are applying the computer based exams. The purpose of the paper was to discuss online learning during Covid19 and the possibility of adopting (CBEs), then to determine negative and positive effects on the students of using computer-based exams and focus on some of suggesting solutions to the negative effects. Computer test which could cause negative effects on students due to various levels of skills to use a computer and some technical problems was examined. The design of the computer examination system requires careful planning and study from several aspects before becoming officially accepted, the computer-based exams still have a few problems which may lead to difficulties in using computer exams. Then the many benefits which could be gained by using computer-based exams, such as the student will be more independent with computer test were described. In addition, the students have access to the exams through the internet network. Finally, the effectiveness of certain strategy to solve the negative effects of computer-based exams were argued. Developing the solutions of the technical problems are required for computer test, where improving the input methods questions and corrections. It was resulted that online learning has considered as a better option during COVID-19 pandemic, and the computer exam, with adjustments, is more suitable for students.

  Keywords

E-learning, COVID-19, online education, Computer-Based Exams, Computer test.