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Forms of examination
The digital transformation offers an innovative addition to the tried and tested methods of assessment at universities with digital forms of assessment. The use of digital tools expands the possibilities for setting tasks, can speed up the assessment process and enables a more detailed analysis of learning success at an individual level and in comparisons between different cohorts.
Digital methods (also in combination with each other and with analogue methods) can be used in written, oral and practical examinations.
Written examinations
In written examinations, students demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a specific subject or topic within a set period of time. They typically consist of several questions or tasks that either have to be answered openly (essay questions) or are set in the form of multiple choice, short answer or maths problems. The examination is carried out under supervision and under controlled conditions (in particular with regard to permitted aids).
This form is particularly suitable for conducting digital examinations. Standardised tasks can be evaluated much more efficiently in examination software such as Moodle than is possible by hand. At the same time, the field of possible tasks is opened up by additional question types such as drag-and-drop and the use of multimedia elements (images, audio, video).
The use of the university's own computers in the examination centre enables the creation of controlled conditions through the targeted inclusion or exclusion of aids such as dictionaries, formula collections, other software (e.g. Excel or the statistics software R) and AI tools.
However, remote exams with video supervision (e.g. via Zoom or BigBlueButton) are also possible. These are particularly suitable when there is a free choice of resources used (so-called open-book exams) or for courses with a greater physical distance between the university and the student's location.
Term papers, essays, etc.
For some time now, examinations consisting of longer texts have mainly been completed and usually submitted digitally. The use of the examination moodle offers particular advantages when organising the submission and administration of examinations. For example, the time period for submitting examinations can be precisely controlled, all submissions are clearly structured in one place and access rights can be specifically controlled. In addition, timely archiving is guaranteed.
In portfolio examinations, students document their skills and achievements over a longer period of time. The portfolio can contain different types of work, such as essays, research reports, creative projects or practical tasks.
Digital systems are predestined for the creation of partial performances and the consolidation as a collection. With Mahara, the HU offers a special system for this, which can be used via Moodle.
Oral examinations
Oral examinations are examination interviews of limited duration in which specific questions are to be answered or specific tasks are to be completed. The scope of the examination is defined in the subject-specific study and examination regulations. It is open to the public if the student does not object. Minutes are kept of the examination interview.
In compliance with these principles, oral examinations can also be conducted using a video conferencing system at Humboldt-Universität. This means that they can also be held in the context of the internationalisation of studies and teaching if the people involved are not (or no longer) at the same location.
Practical examinations
Practical examinations are examinations of limited duration in which practical skills are demonstrated. The scope of the examination is defined in the subject-specific study and examination regulations. A record must be kept of the examination.
Depending on the objective of the examination, it can be conducted in whole or in part digitally, on-site or remotely. The use of multimedia content, software specialised for specific purposes and video conferencing systems are conceivable.