The Experience of Online Midterms and the Programs Being Used
By: Maria Garcia Manzano, Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Reading week has come to an end and for many, which means it’s midterm time or a continuation of midterms. I was lucky enough (or unlucky according to some) to have several midterms before the break, therefore I have a pretty good idea of which platforms professors are using for their tests. I have taken midterms for a few different Psychology courses and my professors used “TopHat” and “Moodle” for their tests. “TopHat” provides proctored exams and, in my case, Moodle exams were not proctored since they were open book. All of my exams were multiple choice and therefore, my experience is different than others whose tests may have short and long answers or essay questions.
“TopHat”, as mentioned before, provides proctored exams. Using the program “Proctorio” professors are able to view your computer screen while having access to your camera and audio. In order to take a test through “TopHat”, the first step I had to follow was to ensure all of my tabs were closed with only the exam being open. I also had to ensure that I had a strong enough WIFI connection and that I have a webcam. Another requirement needed was having Chrome as “Proctorio” will not work on other browsers. These requirements enable you to be recorded while you take the exam and your professors are able to monitor for any flag raising behaviour which can be: opening other websites, looking at your notes, or talking. Once the test begins you have an allotted time to answer the questions. On your screen you can see yourself through your camera and the amount of questions the test has. Every time you answer a question on “TopHat” it is saved and if you leave a question unanswered it lets you know before you submit the test. “TopHat” also lets you know how many questions you have answered and how many more you still need to answer. This feature is located at the top of the exam and is easy to keep track off. Once you have finished your exam, the program asks for confirmation to make sure you are ready to submit the full test. Once it is submitted you cannot change your answers, the website exits, and you are taken back to the “TopHat” home page. Your test results may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to be uploaded. Some professors allow you to review the test on “TopHat” and you are able to see which questions you got wrong or right while other professors may not allow this and only your mark is displayed.
For “Moodle” exams as mentioned before, mine were not proctored because they were open book. The multiple choice set up was relatively the same to “TopHat” with the main difference being “Moodle” does not let you know the fraction of questions you have answered. Instead, it displays all the questions that the exam has in small numbered boxes and as you answer the question the number box gets checked off. “Moodle” also asks for confirmation before submitting test answers and as with “TopHat”, some professors may allow you to review the test while others do not. I have found Moodle to be faster in reporting test scores as I have only waited a couple of hours for my test results to be displayed. However, if the professor has the program mark the test, scores may be given immediately after the conclusion of the test.
Overall, both platforms have fundamental components of the remote learning approach and once one exam has been taken and you know the procedure, anxiety is decreased because you have familiarized yourself with what is expected of you. Goodluck to anyone starting or continuing exams!