DIGEKS – Digital Exam

DIGEKS – Digital Exam

The project develops an exam system for Norwegian schools. The main purpose of the exam system  is to provide a user interface for the exam candidates where it is possible to restrict the use of applications, hard drives and communication interfaces like Bluetooth or wireless zones other than the school's own network. The exam system is developed as a free and open source system on the basis of the Linux distribution Ubuntu. A USB-pendrive (USB memory stick) is used to boot up the candidate's PC with the operating system and necessary application software, like document processor, calculator, browser, and document presentation applications. Additionally a surveillance system for the invigilators is developed to keep them updated on possible irregularities on the candidates' machines.

Norwegian schools are required to perform digital exams for their students. Using our exam system, there is little need for extra infrastructure at the schools, since the exams can be done on the candidates' laptops. The possibility of candidates using irregular documents or means of communication is drastically reduced. Additionally the invigilators do not need special knowledge of technologies that the candidates might use. The exam system will provide a simple and secure way to perform digital exams without extra license costs. Deploying the exam system will save the school sector for large investments into specific exam infrastructure.

Publications

Leister, Wolfgang; Fretland, Truls; Solheim, Ivar. Preventing unwanted communication in ICT-based exams by using free software. In: Proceedings fra NOKOBIT 2009 - Norsk konferanse for organisasjoners bruk av informasjonsvitenskap. ISBN 9788251924931. 2009. s 27 - 38 Full-text 

Leister, Wolfgang; Fretland, Truls. How to Perform ICT-Based Exams in Compulsory Schools. NUUG Medlemsmøte; 2009-11-10 Presentation (external page)  Institutional archive