350
O. Ahel and K. Lingenau
(3) Electronic Assessment
In order to overcome the geographical distance to the partner universities and the
constant increase in the number of exam registrations, the exams are conducted
via electronic assessment. During the exam, the participants in the computer lab
of the partner universities are connected with the exam server at the University of
Bremen. During this process, IT-security is of great importance. In the computer lab
of the partner universities, special secure browsers are used, which deny access to
all websites or programs apart from the exam software. Furthermore, the exams are
automatically individualized. During these electronic exams of 60 min’ duration,
30 questions are randomly chosen out of a question pool for a set of pre-defined
chapters. In this way, the probability of creating identical exams is minimized. The
questions used in the exam consist of closed answer, choice questions, for example
single choice, closed questions, or may take the form of illustrations and diagrams
which have to be completed via drag and drop.
In the winter semester of 2017/18, the Virtual Academy provided an exam network with 24 partner universities where exams are periodically conducted. While
the Virtual Academy facilitates offering of these courses, student support and the
organization and implementation of the examination, there are some requirements
for partner universities as well: For the date of the exam, the partner university has
to provide a computer lab where the exam can take place and a supervising teacher
during the time slot that the exam takes place. Furthermore, there is a coordinator
at every partner university who assists with the task to organize the exams and to
implement the courses associated with the respective curriculum. The students have
the opportunity to choose a suitable exam date at any partner university of the Virtual Academy. After successful completion of the exams, the students will be granted
credit points at their respective home-universities.
3.2 Challenges and Developments
Over the past few years, the project experienced some challenges, which led to further
developments in the course offerings of the Virtual Academy.
The flexible and innovative online format has proved very appropriate for basic
knowledge transfer for large cohorts of students. Learning videos satisfy levels 1
to 3 (knowledge, understanding and transfer) of the shaping skills of sustainable
development (de Haan et al. 2008). To satisfy further levels (analyzing, connecting
and assessing) additional learning formats are required. One approach is blendedlearning seminars, in which learning videos transfer the basic knowledge and a
follow-up attendance seminar is then utilized to deepen that knowledge.
Another important issue is to keep the content up to date. Existing online lectures
have to be checked and updated and new lectures referring to new sustainability
issues and research results have to be produced regularly. The same applies to the
technical aspect of the homepage and the learning platform. Both the learning videos
O. Ahel and K. Lingenau
(3) Electronic Assessment
In order to overcome the geographical distance to the partner universities and the
constant increase in the number of exam registrations, the exams are conducted
via electronic assessment. During the exam, the participants in the computer lab
of the partner universities are connected with the exam server at the University of
Bremen. During this process, IT-security is of great importance. In the computer lab
of the partner universities, special secure browsers are used, which deny access to
all websites or programs apart from the exam software. Furthermore, the exams are
automatically individualized. During these electronic exams of 60 min’ duration,
30 questions are randomly chosen out of a question pool for a set of pre-defined
chapters. In this way, the probability of creating identical exams is minimized. The
questions used in the exam consist of closed answer, choice questions, for example
single choice, closed questions, or may take the form of illustrations and diagrams
which have to be completed via drag and drop.
In the winter semester of 2017/18, the Virtual Academy provided an exam network with 24 partner universities where exams are periodically conducted. While
the Virtual Academy facilitates offering of these courses, student support and the
organization and implementation of the examination, there are some requirements
for partner universities as well: For the date of the exam, the partner university has
to provide a computer lab where the exam can take place and a supervising teacher
during the time slot that the exam takes place. Furthermore, there is a coordinator
at every partner university who assists with the task to organize the exams and to
implement the courses associated with the respective curriculum. The students have
the opportunity to choose a suitable exam date at any partner university of the Virtual Academy. After successful completion of the exams, the students will be granted
credit points at their respective home-universities.
3.2 Challenges and Developments
Over the past few years, the project experienced some challenges, which led to further
developments in the course offerings of the Virtual Academy.
The flexible and innovative online format has proved very appropriate for basic
knowledge transfer for large cohorts of students. Learning videos satisfy levels 1
to 3 (knowledge, understanding and transfer) of the shaping skills of sustainable
development (de Haan et al. 2008). To satisfy further levels (analyzing, connecting
and assessing) additional learning formats are required. One approach is blendedlearning seminars, in which learning videos transfer the basic knowledge and a
follow-up attendance seminar is then utilized to deepen that knowledge.
Another important issue is to keep the content up to date. Existing online lectures
have to be checked and updated and new lectures referring to new sustainability
issues and research results have to be produced regularly. The same applies to the
technical aspect of the homepage and the learning platform. Both the learning videos