The Stress of Online Exams

So, this week I found myself putting off taking the online exam and online quiz that were required for our Comp 204 class. Why? Because I was wary about online testing and didn't want to deal with the hassle of a sporadic internet connection. When I finally decided to tackle the inevitable, I logged onto the Grove City network and entered the looming exam site. It was not a typical classroom setting because I was sitting in the commuter lounge in the SAC in a comfy, oversized chair listening to music as I read through the questions and searched for answers in the textbook. This was my first experience working on an online quiz so I was worried when my internet connection cut out. I was afraid that I would not be able to continue the exam. As luck would have it, I was able to answer the remaining questions when my connection came back and even had time to spare. The looming doom I had been so sure of prior to taking the quiz was no longer in sight.

After taking the exam, I thought about how this could be a useful tool in my future classroom. As a future educator, I would want to strive to incorporate technology appropriately into the classroom. By allowing students to take quizzes online, it would give students the opportunity to choose where they take the exam. This could relieve test taking stress that many students feel in a typical classroom setting. Can it truly be that the stress of online exams can actually be a stress reliever?