Old-fashioned examinations involving the use of a pencil and paper or highly restrictive computer workshops are now a thing of the past.

Aarhus University has developed a brilliant new system capable of revolutionising traditional and often very old-fashioned forms of examination – students will be allowed to use their own computers.

The system is based on extremely simple technology. Using a connection to a server and a USB key incorporating the new technology, each computer is granted access to a “closed examination room” containing the tasks the examinee is required to complete and any examination aids permitted for the examination in question.

“The system means that examinees have access to certain selected areas of the net, but two-way communication will not be possible. In other words, examinees can’t send questions to third parties via the internet or using Bluetooth technology and receive the answers to such questions. The brilliant thing about this system is that it doesn’t prohibit anything – but it does prevent examinees from doing anything that is not allowed. The system makes it impossible to cheat,” explains Sven Skyum, director of studies at the Faculty of Science Study Office.

Sven Skyum underlines that the system has two obvious advantages: extensive monitoring of examinees will no longer be necessary; and accidental cheating will no longer be possible.

Pro-rector Nina Smith is delighted with the new examination system. “It’s only nine months since we decided to develop a new system – as a result of criticism by the students in particular. We wanted a simple and secure examination system to make pencils and paper redundant once and for all – and the new system exceeds all our expectations,” she says.

Aarhus University is currently implementing the system, which will be tested in connection with some of the summer examinations. The new examination system has been developed jointly by Aarhus University and Mjølner Informatics.

For further information:

Director of studies Sven Skyum, mobile: +45 2899 2576
Pro-rector Nina Smith, mobile: +45 2778 2870
Press manager Anders Correll, mobile: +45 2899 2235, telephone:+ 45 8942 2331

14 April 2009

Rasmus Stensgaard
Communications Office
rst@adm.au.dk