An Integrated Approach to Online Exams in T2, 2022

The OLXi project is a major project underway in DigEd in 2022, designed to transition OLX from an implementation response to integrated effective assessment practice and embed OLX as part of the next-generation ecosystem for online learning at UNE. One of the core workstreams of the project has been designing an integrated, team-based best-practice approach for supporting and managing online exams. The first iteration of this new process was developed by the OLXi project team based on extensive feedback from both academic and professional staff, and will be trialed in T2 2022. 

The Exams and eAssessment team will work in collaboration with the Learning Design team, Administrative Services (Integrated Services) and the Academic Development team (Education Futures) to deliver the new integrated approach. The benefits of the new process include:  

• Clearer communication and consistent processes 
• More one-to-one support for academic staff with online exams  
• Increased provision of training and development opportunities 

An additional service that will be included for T2 is the offer of integrated scheduling assistance for units that do not have centrally managed exams (OLX) but have similar ‘time bound’ assessments such as take-home exams – this can reduce clashes for students and pain points for staff.

While all unit coordinators and faculty leadership will already have received more detailed communication regarding this approach, this post gives an overview of the key points to showcase how integrated approaches and cross-team collaboration can deliver better experiences through new ways of working.

Process and workflow

The new approach spans four main areas – administration, support, communication and capability building. The high-level process is as follows:

1. The Exams and eAssessment team will collect key information from Unit Coordinators in a consistent and centralised manner in T2, 2022 – All Unit Coordinators with online exams will be asked to submit an ‘Exam Request Form’ which asks for details regarding exam scheduling, timing, conditions and the level of assistance required for exam design and development. Return of this Form will enable the Exams and eAssessment team to begin scheduling and online exam management, and allow the Learning Design team to allocate one-to-one support to Unit Coordinators requiring assistance. Staff within Administrative Services will help ensure Unit Coordinators submit the form by the required date by providing reminders and assistance (where needed). This process will replace the various emails, spreadsheets and communication channels that have been used (by the Exams and eAssessment team and School-aligned administrative staff) in Schools over the past few years.  
2. The Learning Design team will provide an unprecedented level of support for online exams – All Unit Coordinators with online exams in T2, 2022 will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with an allocated member of the Learning Design team on the design and development of their online exams. Learning Design team members will provide guidance on exam question design, question bank design and the technical set-up and management of exams in Moodle. The Learning Design team will also act as a conduit between Unit Coordinators and the Exams and eAssessment team to better facilitate two-way flows of information. 
3. The Academic Development team will work with the Learning Design and Exams and eAssessment teams to co-create a series of scaffolded, succinct asynchronous workshops for academic staff. The workshops will be made available to staff throughout Trimester 2 via Teaching Online @ UNE along with text-based guidance, technical instruction, examples and exemplars.  
4. The Administrative Services Team will provide insights as to timing and communication channels, and provide support and follow-up within Schools as required.

Timeline

Training and Development  

In addition to the one-to-one support provided to Unit Coordinators by the Learning Design team, the Exams and eAssessment team will also partner with the Academic Development team to provide five workshops (which will be made available for asynchronous engagement) for staff: