VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
How did use of the platform spread? Was it implemented in a whole-school fashion or spread organically? We trialled the software with a few classes initially. Feedback from this was very positive and word spread across the school. In some scenarios teachers began using the system when students requested it after having used it in other classes. At Viktor Rydberg we have regular meetings across our schools where teachers are able to share best-practise so news of the solution spread this way as well. Around 55 – 60% of our teachers are now using DigiExam to assess digitally.
What effect has going digital had on your students? Students like the solution. It’s much more in keeping with how they work normally as well as how they spend their time when they’re at home. Using a digital solution also makes it far easier
to implement anonymous marking, something which is increasingly important in Swedish schools to prevent bias, whether intentional or otherwise. Though students are less aware of this aspect, ensuring that everyone is marked fairly and without prejudice is highly valued at Viktor Rydberg.
How have teachers found the solution? Initially those teachers moving from analogue to digital wanted reassurance that the solution was secure and that students wouldn’t be able to access the internet. Since then every teacher who used the platform embraced it and no-one has returned to the old paper-based solution. Saving time on marking is an obvious benefit for our teachers. In the 2015-16 school year alone we have created 1,273 unique tests and our students sat a combined total of 16,279 separate assessments across five schools using DigiExam. Having essays written in a standardised font and type makes them far easier to read and more efficient to mark. Similarly working digitally makes it far easier for
our teachers to collaborate. Both when it comes to creating exams and sharing marking. Features such as self-marking for multiple choice exams as well as the ability to mark question by question rather than entire paper by paper have also proved popular.
How has having a digital solution worked with high-stakes national exams? Like our teachers, the national authority who prepares the country’s exams sought assurance that the solution was secure and prevented all other programs from opening whilst an exam was being sat. They also wanted assurance that the DigiExam platform was at least as reliable as using pen and paper so the fact that we can use the system offline and students work is auto-saved every ten seconds provided this assurance that work couldn’t be lost.
How do you see your institution working with technology in future? Increasing the use of digital assessment is one way that Viktor Rydberg will continue to develop. With students now so adept at using technology in their daily lives I would predict many other institutions will also begin looking for ways to innovate their analogue solutions. By helping our students use technology effectively in school we’re giving them the first step they need to succeed in the digital age and in their future careers.
What advice would you give to other schools looking to digitise exams? • Firstly, it’s essential to make sure that your key stakeholders buy into the policy. Take the time to explain the benefits – to teachers and to the school as a whole – before implementing school-wide.
• Similarly your teachers need to understand the technology, how it will help them and how to use it. Often teachers who aren’t digital natives can be reluctant to begin using new technology so give them training to take some of the pressure off using it for the first time. Alternatively some providers will offer free training so make the most of this.
• When looking at the best solution for your school make sure that whatever platform you decide to go with is completely secure. If the internet drops or a computer crashes in the middle of an exam the last thing you want is for a student to lose half their work.
• Tell parents about the switch to digital assessment. Not only will it show that you’re keeping them informed, it will demonstrate the effort the school is going to to provide the latest innovative technology.
• Make sure that your students download the software and have someone on hand during implementation to help them if need be. The majority of young people are very tech-savvy but for those who are less confident or may not have access to technology at home it’s important for them to have someone to turn to for help.
January 2017
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