Online exams: Some for it, some against it

Nagpur: RTM Nagpur University’s (RTMNU) decision to go ahead with online exams for final year students has evoked a mixed response. Even those who are in support of the exams are concerned over the online format.
Kalicharan Gajbhiye, a student, said it was extremely important that exams be held. “In fact I was one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court regarding this and luckily, UGC too stuck to its guns. Those who don’t want an exam are not seeing the long term effect on their academic life. Exams need to happen, even if it is online,” said Gajbhiye.
Another student, Om Paradkar, is of the opinion that the proctored exam seems to be more of a formality. “I think such an exam is more to show on record that a formal assessment was done. For proctored exam, the credibility is dependent on the type of software used. I had appeared for a proctored exam a few months ago and that online software was pretty high end. The camera was of course on, screen sharing was done plus a microphone had to be kept on. The software can completely curb chances of malpractice,” said Paradkar. He added that choosing an aggregate of previous five semesters could have been an option.
Janvi Jichkar feels that NU should go ahead with a written report assessment rather than exams. “The university could have given us a project report kind of assignment. Something which has a conceptual base and can be used to assess students. The proctored online exam seems like a contradiction because there’s a possibility that students will cheat,” said Jichkar, a student.
From student Samarth Ragit’s perspective, rather than online, an offline home-based assignment or MCQ assessment must be done. “There is a concept of open book exams in some parts of the world. Obviously a lot of thought has gone into that due to which it was implemented. The questions there encourage students to showcase their conceptual knowledge,” said Ragit. He added that covering the entire course through different assessment mode is the need of the hour.
“If we assume that students will only cheat then we will never get anywhere. Questions should challenge the students to dig into books and come up with answers which can’t be copied word for word,” he said.
For those who aren’t tech savvy, student Karan Khandale feels the challenge will be the biggest of them all. “Students can face net connectivity issues, there could be software compatibility issues as well. In such circumstances it will not be a level-playing ground for all. I believe the offline option of home assignments is much better,” said Khandale.
Ajit Singh said the online exam initiative is biased towards urban students. “NU students are from Kashmir, Manipur, Sikkim etc. Due to the pandemic they have all gone back home and in some of those places simple phone call connectivity is a problem. NU must hold exam as per students’ convenience, else the vice chancellor will be held responsible for any shortcomings,” said Singh, a student.