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One major problem in online learning is the issue of testing. Without direct supervision, it is impossible to guarantee that a student is not cheating. Some online colleges solve this problem by requiring students to test under the direction of a proctor such as a librarian or other official. However, this method is often inconvenient and is not always effective (as we've seen when academically challenged college football stars get straight As in their online coursework, but fail their traditional classes). One option is open book testing.
Online professors can create timed, open book tests that are challenging and still require knowledge of the material to complete. There's no possibility of cheating, because students are allowed to use their study material. When open book exams are used, students should be be taught test-taking strategies so that everyone is on an equal playing field. A new study published in the Journal of Online Interactive Learning explains:
"This study investigated the impact of training in open book test-taking strategies on student test performance in online, timed, unproctored, open book tests. When the tutorial was required immediately before the midterm examination, the experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group. The effect size or magnitude of the difference in means was moderate. When the tutorial was completed immediately before the midterm examination but was not completed before the final examination, the experimental group's mean final examination score was higher than the control group's score, but the difference was not significant."
I'm a fan of open book testing because these exams mimic real-life work. Teachers are allowed to use dictionaries, doctors are allowed to use medial books, and lawyers are allowed to look up past case files. Rarely are employees asked to complete a task and not permitted to use reference material.
Top Online Colleges
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Kaplan University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Kaplan University is a dynamic institution that offers accredited, online degrees to students seeking to jump start a new career. Kaplan University makes it easy for students to get the college degree that they want.
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Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University has a rich tradition of online educational excellence. This excellence is shown in the quality of each class that every student receives.
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University of Phoenix - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctoral Degrees. University of Phoenix shows each student how easy and convenient it is to earn your college degree through their distance learning program. Students can choose to learn at home or from a campus location near you.
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American InterContinental University Online - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At American InterContinental University, every individual has an opporunity to receive an excellent college degree and the ability to maximize their human potential. American InterContinental University allows you to pick a time and place that fits your schedule.
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DeVry University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Students who attend DeVry University are welcomed with an outstanding faculty who put each students needs and dreams first. DeVry University is an accredited university that offers affordable degrees.
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Westwood College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. Westwood College uses a student-centric approach to its educational curriculum and each student benefits from this ideal. Westwood College is an accredited university with degrees in high-growth industries.
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