Conducting remote electronic examinations in distance higher education: Students’ perceptions

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs) to adopt alternative approaches in delivering their learning activities including examinations. Regarding the latter, remote electronic examinations were selected as a one-way solution due to physical presence restriction measures imposed by governments around the world. This paper presents the evaluation of the remote examinations conducted by the Anonymized Open University [AOU]. The evaluation sought to inform decision making about the future of remote examinations at that distance learning organization. A sample of 9.276 students participated voluntarily and filled out a questionnaire. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis was employed. Results revealed that students were satisfied with the remote electronic examination process and they expressed their desire to be examined remotely again. Avoiding travelling and saving money were the main benefits mentioned by students. Issues were reported regarding the examination topics and the examination time. Students suggested the provision of more examination time and improvements in the university procedures and infrastructures that support remote examinations.