The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives drastically. We have faced difficulties even in carrying out routine tasks. We have lost the companionships of our loved ones. We have developed a new perspective on everything.
And the area of education is not secluded from the influence of this pandemic. It too has seen changes. The educational institution had closed. People pursued their degrees while sitting at home. And now even exams have been conducted online. However, many drawbacks are related to online exams and which are mentioned below:
1. Inability to keep up with the technology
It’s always good to keep up with the technology in the modern world. The age of technology is prevalent and we all must welcome it. While there are many benefits of technology, the use of technology for exams could also become a situation of crisis for students.
Many students are not good at using technology. This is particularly about the technology that is used to conduct exams. While many of us have used technology for entertainment purposes, we could face issues during an online exam to use an unknown platform. Thus, for exam assignments, many students resolve to seek top assignment writing service UK or any other country-based. This removes the risk of incompatibility with the technology.
2. Lack of equal access to technology for all
Not everyone has efficient technical facilities at home. The world is not made up of elites, and we must acknowledge and accept the presence of poor students too.
There are some other conditions too that lead to a lack of access to technology. Many people have demanding jobs. For instance, a nurse has to spend a lot of time in the hospital where they cannot carry their study laptops. Hence, they seek assignment help for midwifery from academic services under such conditions.
3. Attendance/ identity issues
Another issue that might be faced is the recognition of identity for attendance. There is a risk of scams as we never know who might be using the student’s ID to take the exam in his place.
While this issue can be resolved through face recognition, many students are not precisely comfortable with this. They may feel insecure or shy about coming in front of the camera. Both these situations are problematic.
4. Chaotic environment at home
Educational institutions are built for the purpose of studies. Homes are built for families to live. They cannot and shall not be expected to be as disciplined as the educational institutions.
All family members have their tasks to be carried out. No one could stop his life to facilitate the other. Hence, as all family members are busy with their work, this could lead to a chaotic environment. While such an environment is a normal thing at home, it could be problematic for online exams.
5. Chances of technical glitches
Applications like zoom can help against any unforeseen situation like COVID-19 (helpwithdissertation, 2021). However, we can never rely 100% on technology. Situations of crisis could occur at any moment. The internet connection may not work properly during the online exam due to signal issues. Or the system could stop working due to any sort of technical glitch.
6. New paper patterns are daunting
Many issues are directly related to the question paper. Of course, online exams cannot be like the on-campus exam. For instance, you will not be given simple MCQs. Anyone could just look them up online. However, the new paper pattern could be a little daunting as students are not trained for them earlier.
7. Some students have a slow typing speed
Another issue is of the typing speed. Whether you are assigned an assignment to complete within 24 hours or you are being assessed online in a 3-hour exam, both conditions are unfortunate. Any student who is slow at typing would face problems in the online conduction of exams.
8. Students are more stressed under the new system
Recent studies suggested that some students may be at particular risk for academic stress and poor emotional well-being due to the pandemic and highlight the urgent need for intervention and prevention strategies (Clabaugh, Duque, and Fields, 2021). On top of that, the system of online exams can aggravate stress levels.
9. The academic load has increased
As the studies are now carried out at home, a lengthier curriculum is being followed. This is because the system believes that studying while being at home is easier. They believe that students can now cover more as they are not wasting time and energy on travelling to the institutes. But this has led to a greater academic load. This is even observed in the online exams.
10. Higher expectations of teachers
As the students are present at home, teachers assume that they are at much ease. The teachers could be a little inconsiderate as they think that being at home easies the conditions for study. It’s not like that. Students are not roaming around in comfy clothes while studying in comfort. They are stressed out. However, as teachers think that the online system is easier they have higher expectations from the students. This even leads to strict checking of exam files.
11. Exams assignments are like research papers
Many teachers have resolved to conduct the online exam in form of exam assignments. They assign you assignments that you have to submit within 24 hours. However, these assignments are usually opinion-based. But to support these opinions, you are also supposed to provide evidence from secondary resources.
Such patterns for assignments have turned them into sort of mini-research works. A lot of effort has to be put to complete them. Many students are not even able to complete them in time.
12. Facilitates the cheaters
Although it is not a very respectable point to be admitted, nonetheless, it is true. The online system has facilitated the cheaters. There is an increased risk of scamming in the online system.
References
- (2021). Artificial Intelligence – HWD. Online Available at: https://www.helpwithdissertation.co.uk/blog/artificial-intelligence/ [Accessed 07 Apr. 2022].
- Clabaugh, A., Duque, J.F. and Fields, L.J., 2021. Academic stress and emotional well-being in united states college students following onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.
