Recently, we held another of our Elluminate Customer Advisory Board meetings, and one thing we heard a lot about was integrity. In other words, how do instructors and academic institutions prove virtual classroom students don’t cheat during exams? One solution is to have each students turn their webcam on for ad hoc monitoring. This is something to think about, and something we at Elluminate are going to research to be able to provide some best practices for you.

Then I saw this eSchool News article today, which opened an entire new can of worms! Entitled “Digital Debate: Prepare Kids for Exams or Life?” the article discusses the 21st Century version of the open-book exam. The question is: should students be able to use digital devices when taking tests? Read article here.

Looks like we need some serious discussion on the idea that the definition of cheating needs to be changed for today’s digital generation. In preparing students for life and work, is it more important to evaluate their ability to gather information than to memorize it?

As enabling technology transforms teaching and learning, must it also transform assessment as well? What do you think?

Keep on Elluminating!

- Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication