Online Assessment Practices in Higher Education
Summary
Online assessment in higher education has become a central component of teaching and learning strategies, driven by advances in digital technology and the urgent need for remote solutions during global disruptions. Institutions now employ a variety of assessment formats, including computer-based tests, open-book examinations, adaptive quizzes and automated assignments, each tailored to measure distinct learning outcomes. These practices seek to balance validity and reliability with accessibility and equity, while mitigating risks to academic integrity. Recent developments have focused on seamless integration with learning management systems, the use of analytics to detect irregular patterns, and the design of authentic tasks that promote higher-order thinking rather than rote recall. Equally, educators are exploring how formative assessments delivered online can support continuous feedback, personalisation of learning pathways and greater student engagement. The global shift to remote delivery has underscored the importance of robust technical infrastructure, clear instructional design and well-defined policies to ensure that online assessment maintains academic standards, accommodates diverse learner needs and upholds ethical principles.
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Online Assessment Practices in Higher Education publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in online assessment practices in higher education across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Remote proctoring: the use of software and hardware to monitor test-takers in real time during online examinations.
Open-book examination: an assessment format allowing access to authorised resources during the test, intended to evaluate application and analysis rather than memorisation.
Academic integrity: the adherence to ethical principles in academic work, including honesty, fairness and responsibility in assessment practices.
References
- “Out of my control”: science undergraduates report mental health concerns and inconsistent conditions when using remote proctoring software. International Journal for Educational Integrity (2023).
- Online Delivery and Assessment during COVID-19: Safeguarding Academic Integrity. Education Sciences (2020).
- Online Diagnostic Assessment in Support of Personalized Teaching and Learning: The eDia System. Frontiers in Psychology (2019).
- Effect of remote online exam delivery on student experience and performance in applied knowledge tests. BMC Medical Education (2021).
- Assessment in Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. Sustainability (2021).
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