Perception of students on online examinations: A case study of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology in the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Since March 2020 up to date, smooth functioning of higher education systems in Sri Lanka is hindered by two main challenges; earlier by COVID-19 pandemic and later by the prevailing economic crisis of the country. Sudden closures of the universities lengthen the time required for undergraduates to complete their degrees, especially because of the inability to conduct examinations despite lectures and practical being completed within the allocated time. In such occasions, online examinations could be a better alternative. The present study is of utmost importance since its objective was to ascertain the students‟ perception of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology on online examinations. A semi- structured questionnaire was given to the undergraduates of the faculty. Responses were summarized and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 16. According to the responses, majority of them (73.7%) seem to be of the opinion that conducting online examinations can be troublesome mainly due to issues related to networks, devices and power supplies, lack of prior experience, poor computer literacy and, disturbance at their houses. If there will be online examinations, most of the students (58.9%) will have mobile data connection followed by Wi-Fi hotspot (26.7%) and broadband (23.3%). Out of 236 respondents 28 students do not have any device to participate in online examinations while laptop and desktop computers are owned by 197 and 11 students respectively. As per the given responses 35.59% have average or below average computer literacy levels. The fact that only 77 students had earlier practice in online examinations seems to demoralize the students to participate in online examinations. It can be concluded that, if the faculty needs to conduct online examinations it should be done after conducting several practice sessions along with the provision of required facilities to all the students.