E-Assessed Exams?

Recently, there has been increased coverage and controversy over GCSE structure. Coursework for some subjects is to be entirely scrapped in an attempt to prevent cheating and plagiarism, starting in 2007, and more exams and controlled assessments to be brought in. Business Studies, English Literature, Geography, History, Modern Foreign Languages, Religious Studies and Social Sciences are some of the coursework subjects that face being axed. Coursework for Maths is planned to be scrapped in 2007.

This week, news has come out of a new method of exam and assessment. This new method will be completed entirely on the internet and would “transform the future of school examinations”.
The new examinations will be computer-based and consist of multiple choice and short questions. Coursework for currently, one course will be submitted this way.

The internet-based exam aims to eliminate papers being misplaced and allows students to take a more professional approach to their work.

This has been developed by the exam board, OCR. A spokesman said: “This new qualification is a real landmark in the assessment of students at school. With IT now playing such a significant role in education and indeed, employment, its only right that the currency of communication between the student and exam board should also be digital."

So, what’s your take on GCSE exams and coursework?