{"id":10670,"date":"2021-02-02T12:20:12","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T12:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/digitallearning-2023\/?page_id=10670"},"modified":"2025-11-20T11:22:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T11:22:00","slug":"examinations-tests","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/digitallearning\/staff\/digital-teaching\/assessment\/examinations-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Examinations and Tests"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Examinations and Tests <\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t
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Appropriate use of Assignments<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Schools are advised to use Assignments rather than Quizzes to support online examinations. The use of any real time quizzing system should be avoided as it relies on students having bandwidth and equipment to submit in a short time-frame, which really puts concentrated pressure on the system.<\/p>

\"\u25fc\" By following the important steps outlined further below you will minimise the risk of any problems with student submissions or with students accessing the assignment ahead of the scheduled exam date.<\/p>

\"\u25fc\" Anonymous Grading<\/strong>: The QUB Handbook of Assessment Guidance and Support requires Anonymous Marking for assessment, where possible. The way in which Canvas applies fully anonymous grading means that schools may have difficulty when it comes to identifying students with exceptional circumstances or late submissions. This is an issue common across all UK Universities who are currently using anonymous marking functionality in Canvas. Link to information on key considerations when\u00a0using Anonymous grading<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in Canvas.<\/p>

\"\u25fc\" Use of Turnitin \u2013 <\/strong>The system supplier (Turnitin) are experiencing ongoing issues resulting in a poor student and academic experience. As a result, Schools are advised NOT to use Turnitin for online examinations at this time (i.e. exams with less than 24h duration, see options 1 and 2 as described on previous page). The Canvas Team continue to monitor the response of the Turnitin supplier to these issues, but there is the potential for these to impact Turnitin assignments within Canvas. See latest guidance on use of Turnitin: \u00a0 \"\ud83d\udd17\"Turnitin within Canvas: Staff Guide<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

\"\u25fc\"\u00a0 Use Assignments rather than Quizzes \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0The use of any real time quizzing system should be avoided during formal examination periods, as it relies on students having bandwidth and equipment to submit in a short time-frame, which really puts concentrated pressure on the system. In this current situation, schools are advised NOT to use Canvas Quizzes for online examination.<\/p>

\"\u25fc\"\u00a0 School based decision to support local contexts \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0There are different options to consider with assignment settings to suit local contexts. Schools need to take firm decisions on approach and communicate effectively to staff. For example, a school decision around setting of the assignment \u2018until date\u2019 or decisions around avoiding use of rubrics in cases where multiple graders are involved in the marking process etc. needs to be agreed.<\/p>

\"\u25fc\"\u00a0 Use of 3rd Party Tools\/Apps \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0During previous examination periods, a number of students encountered difficulty when using unsupported 3rd party tools such as Microsoft LENS. It is recommended to only use tools supported by the University. If Schools do have a requirement to use unsupported tools, provide clear guidance to students on how to use and instruction on alternative submission options should they encounter any issues submitting via Canvas.<\/p>

\"\u25fc\"\u00a0 Consider all eventualities \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Schools should stagger start times of online exams across the Faculty, to smooth online assessment peaks in the system. For time bound assessment, consider a mock test so that students are comfortable with the process.\u00a0 Have a Plan B in place for submission, e.g. use of email to submit files.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Important steps to create an Assignment, Exam or Test<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/i><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSteps to prepare<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t
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\"\ud83d\udd34\"<\/span>\u00a0There are a few steps that you should undertake prior to creating your assignment in Canvas to ensure the process is a seamless as possible and that you create them in a way that does not impact on any students currently enrolled in the course. To get started, watch the instructional video below or refer to the step-by-step guidance further below.<\/p>

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VIDEO<\/h4><\/div>

\"\u25b6\"\u00a0Link to video guidance for step by step instruction on how to\u00a0Steps to Prepare<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

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INSTRUCTIONAL TEXT<\/h4><\/div>

Ensure that the Grade Posting Policy is set to \u2018Manual\u2019<\/strong><\/h5>

The Grade Posting Policy is set to \u2018Automatic\u2019 by default. If this is not changed to \u2018Manual\u2019 then any grades that are input into Canvas will be released to students immediately. The steps to do this are as follows:<\/p>