The education sector has found itself in a somewhat unwarranted situation since the last year or so due to the challenges brought in by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. More so in a country like India, where the system has mostly been rigid over the years. It has now suddenly been jolted out of its slumber as it had to rise to the requirements of fulfilling the basic fundamental duties of facilitating the academic needs of the students and other stakeholders.
The concept of online, open and distance learning has always been relegated to the backseat in the realm of the education system in India. But, the changing scenario has proven that flexible and open learning, more so in a digital platform is the holistic way forward. The Gauhati University has already decided to conduct the examinations on an open book platform.
Even Dibrugarh University is working out the feasibility of this system. It is worth mentioning here that the challenge is not conducting the exams itself, but more so about how to orient the academia with the open book concept.
Before the students and faculties are forced to jump into the bandwagon of the open-book system, it would be pertinent to design some sort of an orientation module so that they get acclimatised with this concept.
An “open book examination” is one in which examinees are allowed to consult their class notes, textbooks, and other approved material while answering questions. Open-book exams allow examinees to take notes, texts or resource materials into an exam situation. This system tests the ability of the examinees to find and apply information and knowledge. This is more so to test the analytical acumen of the examinees.
Therefore, this system of examinations is often used in subjects requiring direct reference to written materials, like law statutes, statistics or acts of parliament.
An open book exam can also mean that students are provided with the exam questions before sitting the formal exam or are to complete as a ‘take home’ exam. The question pattern in an open book system is devised to assess the interpretation and application of knowledge, comprehension skills, critical thinking skills, rather than being only about knowledge recall.
Case-based questions that require students to apply critical reasoning skills to a trigger scenario are mostly used to examine a student’s analytical acumen. It is necessary to mention here that the question pattern is mostly clear and unambiguous which limits confusion and allows students to utilize their time to make proper use of their textbook or memory aid to effectively formulate their answers.
It is not about allowing students to simply locate and re-write information by making use of their textbooks or other memory aids.
Open book examinations will help usher in a fundamental change in the general attitude of both the teaching and learning fraternity. This system in no way means that students need not study, but implies that they should understand concepts, and use them to solve problems.
Moreover, there are certain general misconceptions that the open book system encourages copying, which is not at all correct. As the students are allowed access to study materials, the enumeration is strictly done based on the fact that students’ ability to be analytical in answering the queries put forth, instead of just lifting whatever text is available.
The main issues vis-à-vis pitfalls concerns issues that arise when making use of open-book exams is that teachers may not know how to develop and devise effective exam questions that require students to apply their knowledge through analysis and critical thinking, and students may be lulled into a false sense of security and fail to properly prepare for an open book exam.
Students may falsely assume that the exam will be easy, and they will be able to find all the answers in the textbook or on their memory aid.
History has been witness to the fact that adversity has always been able to bring out the best in mankind.
The ability to adapt to change has led to the survivability of the human race. In a way, since the new education policy is in the pipeline and flexible education mechanism is the core of this policy, it is better to grab this opportunity and move ahead positively. Change is here to stay.
The author is Assistant Professor, Centre for Management Studies, Dibrugarh University.
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