Lethbridge College’s new full-class testing project passed its first semester with flying colours, according to feedback from students and faculty.
The temporary facility, established for this project at TE1233, has 40 computers for full-class testing, nine testing booths for students with disabilities requiring accommodations, as well as additional space for pen and paper exams.
When it opened on Sept. 1, no one knew what the response would be, says Lynda Duval, senior manager of Learning Services. By the end of the semester, the service was used by 91 class sections in 53 unique courses taught by 38 faculty; more than 1,300 students wrote at least one exam in the full-class testing lab. Those numbers don’t include students writing accommodated exams.
The 5,213 exams written compare to about 3,000 exams written in the main testing centre in the same time frame, says Cam Reimer, Testing Services co-ordinator.
Duval says students surveyed after using the service cited three main benefits: convenience and flexibility; the quiet, focused environment; and reduced stress levels.
“They can book at a time suited to them around family life, work, practicum and their study preferences,” she says. The survey had a 20-per-cent response rate.
Students also said they appreciated that their exams didn’t take away from instructional time. It was a benefit echoed by the 23 faculty who responded to a satisfaction survey. Topping the list of benefits for faculty was the recouped teaching and learning time which they used for instruction, enrichment activities, or to review.
Duval says the Testing Services team has already taken action to address perceived drawbacks. This semester, evening hours have been standardized to Tuesday and Thursdays, and additional Saturday hours will be added.
Reimer says efforts have also been made to reduce distractions in the assessment space, to troubleshoot technical issues and to provide students basic supplies to improve their testing experience.
While the Satellite Lab is still a trial project, Duval says she believes the service supports students and faculty in meaningful, cost-effective ways that positively affect student retention by allowing faculty to focus class time on teaching and learning activities rather than exam supervision.
Reimer says he expected fewer exams would be booked in the winter semester due to practicums, but he’s already booked 8,300 exams.
Duval and Reimer are hopeful that the encouraging results from the project so far will positively influence decisions about the future of the service.
For more information on how to access the full-class testing service, please email Reimer or call him at 6922.