HEDI Director, Michael Henderson presented alongside Jayne Long from the Monash Online Assessment and Integrity Services team (OASIS) on the large scale assessment initiative at Monash University.

HEDI has partnered with OASIS to conduct a large-scale survey designed to better understand student experience, wellbeing, outcomes and academic integrity. Since 2021, all scheduled student exams have been conducted via a computer. In each semester almost 40,000 students complete >81,000 digital exam ‘papers’. Over the last three years HEDI and its research team have collected 34,110 student surveys which has enabled the research team to not only provide invaluable insights to the OASIS development and delivery teams, but also to investigate key issues relating to student experience and integrity.

At this HOSA conference we were able to present the most recent insights, including that most students had a positive overall experience with a surprisingly large proportion reporting that the computer based environment actually supported their academic performance. Interestingly, some of the key issues that negatively affected students were linked to the design of the assessments rather than the technology or security measures. The study also highlighted implications for platform functionality, personal technology, exam conditions including exam locations, and the availability of preparation and support.

The survey data highlights the value of researching student experience which has led to significant iterative improvements of the platform, security, and scheduling services. These include improved user interface for a broader range of question types, improved functionality such as for mathematical and coding responses, guidance for academics on assessment design, and addressing student concerns about security, and enhancing invigilation and technical support.