AU has tested a new, digital type of examination on selected degree programmes, including Sport Science and Public Health Science. The project has now been completed with good results and will now be rolled out to all of Health's degree programmes after the coming winter exams.

2016.09.12 | Sabina Bjerre Hansen

Following the success of the pilot project, digital exams will now be rolled out for the entire faculty.

Last winter, students at sport science and public health science swapped pen and paper for computers as they took part in the ‘Digital exam’ pilot project in connection with their written exams.

The results of a recent evaluation of the project by HE Studies Administration, including feedback from students and lecturers, showed that the project had been a success both academically and technically. The decision was therefore taken for all degree programmes at Health, with one exception, to hold their exams digitally after the next round of winter exams.

The Master's degree programme in medicine includes the MCQ, OSCE and portfolio exams. As it is not possible to digitise these in the system, other solutions have been found here.

Our common set-up works

Deputy department head and associate professor at the Department of Public Health, Niels Trolle Andersen, has been involved in the pilot project from the beginning. He describes the process as a good experience without major challenges.

"The degree programme administration at Health demonstrated a high level of commitment in the implementation phase, during which both management and communication was well-planned. Following the implementation, I have been pleased with the common set-up across the universities, both as examiner and co-examiner. I have not experienced any major issues, neither with delivering take-home assignments, marking or the really big challenge: the on-site exams," says Niels Trolle Andersen.

The students are also pleased with the new and more modern type of examination.

"I found the whole process from submitting an assignment to receiving marks significantly easier than in the past. Digital exams provide a good and quick overview of deadlines for submission, evaluation and receiving marks. It is really nice to have all the information about individual exams in one place. The system is also very intuitive and easy to access, both for individual exams and group exams," explains seventh semester public health science student Nanna Husted.

A more efficient studies administration

For HE Studies Administration, the implementation of digital exams has optimised and streamlined the process for sending out and registration of exams. This means that there is more time available for other tasks.

"Digital exams have reduced the administration of the exams, as we can begin planning exams earlier in the system. This allows us to smooth out the planning issues in the department. In addition, the system replaces a number of manual processes, and it helps to streamline the administration's internal processes and minimise the risk of errors," says Project Manager Terkel Rørkær Sigh, who is responsible for the implementation of digital exams at Health.

The digital exams will now be rolled out to the rest of the faculty's degree programmes. As part of the process, HE Studies Administration is working closely with the academic environments to identify the appropriate examinations.

The digital exam process

AU is obligated to offer digital exams to all students as required by the Danish Agency for Digitisation. With the new common platform, AU will be in compliance with the applicable statutory requirements, and when fully implemented, it will lead to a number of advantages for AU, including:

•    Increased flexibility for teaching staff in connection with assessments – online assessments can be carried out anywhere and at any time.
•    Students and teachers will receive the same high level of service at all four faculties.
•    Fewer administrative systems and thus lower operating expenses.
•    More efficient planning and administration of exams.
•    More effective prevention of cheating (plagiarism).

The system has been developed in collaboration with the universities in Copenhagen, Roskilde and Aalborg, together with Copenhagen Business School.

Find out more about digital exams at AU.

Further information

Project Manager Terkel Rørkær Sigh
HE Administrative Centre – Course and Exam Administration
Mobil: (+45) 5137 7661
Email: trs@au.dk  

Associate Professor, Deputy Department Head Niels Trolle
Department of Public Health – Biostatistics
Mobil: (+45) 2172 5480
Email: trolle@ph.au.dk