Perception of Undergraduates of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna Towards Online Examinations: Lessons Learnt During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

An online assessment is simply defined as an evaluation of a person's knowledge, skills and capabilities by utilizing available web-based innovations. Conducting online examinations as a summative assessment tool was immersed with tremendous value during the Covid-19 pandemic period. The objective of the present study was to investigate the experience of undergraduate students of the faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna with regard to online assessments. Primary data were collected through an organized survey as a Google form from the 41st and 42nd batches of students who sat for the online examinations. Altogether 208 students responded to the survey. The data were analyzed using Minitab version 17 statistical software. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing data. More than 80% of students who responded to the survey confirmed that they had enough time to prepare for the online examination and received guidelines prior to the examination. The most frequently used electronic devices for online examination was Smartphone and personal Laptop whiles the usage of personal desktops and tablet PC were minimal. About 65% of the respondents in the 42nd batch and 74% responded students in the 41st batch used Smartphones during the online examination. Many students used various virtual platforms to communicate with invigilators including emails, Zoom, WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet platform. The major issues encountered during the online examination were related to network connections, power interruptions and slow & unresponsive LMS. About 65% and 51% of the responded students from the 42nd and 41st batches accepted that the questions were clear enough and understandable to answer within the allocated time while nearly 50% of respondents of both batches agreed that online examinations were a fair way to evaluate students’ performances. More than half of the respondents of both batches accepted that online examinations are better than the conventional types of examinations. However, according to the Pearson Chi-Square, there is no significant association between the batches and their attitude towards the online examination. According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that undergraduate students' perception of the Faculty of Agriculture was more favorable towards online examinations.