ExamSoft Implementation at St. George’s University – A Recipe for Success
Presented by Sally-Ann Clement, Teah Cummings, Avril Best, Leisha Griffith-Mark, and Wayne Radix Vertical- Medical In an effort to find a user friendly and cost effective solution to administering examinations St. George’s University (SGU) researched several computer based options. After careful consideration, ExamSoft was identified as the best solution for its needs as it allowed for the easy handling of all major aspects of the exam process. The decision to transition was also based on the fact that computer based examinations have become the standard format for administering exams in higher education. The rollout of the computer based exams at SGU was phased, with an initial pilot in three School of Medicine (SOM) courses. Through our ExamSoft Pilot, the University was able to identify key resources needed as well as resolve major issues in preparation for a university wide rollout of the software. The Course Directors/Pilot Users were not only instrumental in this process but also helped boost the confidence of their peers some of whom had reservations about the transition process. After successful completion of the Pilot, the university felt confident about extending the use of ExamSoft to other schools specifically the School to Veterinary Medicine (SVM) and later the School of Arts and Science (SAS). Exam Managers found the unique capabilities of the software such as the use of categories, reports and the availability of certain security features for example exam password, snapshot etc. to be very useful. Additionally, the availability of the highlight features as well as the question review pane provides an enhanced exam experience. The development of student policies and guidelines for Exam Managers were beneficial as they provide clear procedures for the use of ExamSoft at SGU. This proposal will not only focus on both the successes and challenges SGU faced during the implementation of ExamSoft but will also focus on how faculty and students were engaged throughout the process. At the end of the session, participants will be: Equipped with guidelines for the successful implementation of ExamSoft at an educational institution.
Recommended
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (16)
Similar to ExamSoft Implementation at St. George’s University – A Recipe for Success
Similar to ExamSoft Implementation at St. George’s University – A Recipe for Success (20)
More from ExamSoft
More from ExamSoft (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
ExamSoft Implementation at St. George’s University – A Recipe for Success
- 1. 1ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 ExamSoft Assessment Conference #ASSESS2015
- 2. 2ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Session Title ExamSoft Implementation at St. George’s University – A Recipe for Success
- 3. 3ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Speaker Introductions • Sally-Ann Clement, M.Ed. – Educational Technology Specialist • Leisha Griffith-Mark, MBA – Examinations Services Coordinator • Teah Cummings, M.S. – Educational Technology Specialist
- 4. 4ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Contributors • Avril Best, Ph.D. – Training Supervisor, Educational Computing Team • Wayne Radix, M.Sc., PMP – Project Manager
- 5. 5ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 St. George’s University
- 6. 6ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 History and Schools • School of Medicine (SOM) – 2588 Students • School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) – 569 Students • School of Arts and Sciences – 661 Students • Graduate Studies – 110 Students
- 7. 7ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Project Background Cost Reduction Reduce paper usage Move to computer based exams
- 8. 8ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Project Background (2) Security and integrity of exams Easy Reporting Use of Categories
- 9. 9ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Project Management Approach to the Project • Project plan and Schedule • Working groups • Communication to students
- 10. 10ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Project Management Approach to the Project • Policies • Pilot • Facility upgrades • Hiring of more proctoring staff
- 11. 11ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Project Management Approach to the Project Executives Champions StudentsStaff Faculty Key Stakeholders
- 12. 12ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Do you use online testing 1. 2. 0%0% 1. Yes 2. No
- 13. 13ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Do you currently use ExamSoft? 1. 2. 0%0% 1. Yes 2. No
- 14. 14ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Is your institution thinking of moving to online testing? 1. 2. 3. 0% 0%0% 1. Yes 2. No 3. Already there
- 15. 15ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 What is your type of institution? 1. 2. 3. 0% 0%0% 1. Two year college 2. Four year university 3. Other
- 16. 16ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 What is your largest class size? 1. 2. 3. 4. 0% 0%0%0% 1. < 100 2. 100-300 3. 300-500 4. > 500
- 17. 17ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Implementation – Phased Approach 1 • Spring/Fall 2012 • Volunteers (SOM) 2 • Spring 2013 • All SOM, SVM Terms 1 & 2 3 • Fall 2013 • All SOM, All SVM, Optional SAS 4 • Spring 2014 • All SOM, All SVM, Select courses within SAS 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Avg. Class Size SOM SVM SAS
- 18. 18ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Implementation - Training • Train the trainer program • Training of pilot users • Training of other users – Exam Managers, Students and Proctors
- 19. 19ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Implementation – Pilot • Long pilot – Volunteers – Non high stakes exams attempted first – Allowed for necessary modifications before go- live – Feedback informed the process
- 20. 20ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Implementation - Customization • System Customization • Identification of unique needs - use of university credentials for authentication
- 21. 21ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Challenges • Loaner laptops • Wireless connectivity • Modification of physical facilities
- 22. 22ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Challenges (2) • Misrepresentation of issues • Late adopters • Question Bank Conversion • Timeline for Creation of Training Materials
- 23. 23ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Benefits for Faculty & Students • Use of dynamic images • More efficient exam creation process • Scrambling feature
- 24. 24ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Benefits for Faculty & Students • Reporting – Track students learning and performance – Inform course redesign based on category performance • Immediate results • Ease of question feedback
- 25. 25ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Project Successes • Implementation was completed: – Under budget – Within the allotted time period for the project.
- 26. 26ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Lessons Learned Include Stakeholders Early Structured Project Management Use Champions Training Support Structure
- 27. 27ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Guidelines for Successful Implementation • A Project Management Approach – Keeping within the timeline – Keeping within the budget – Keeping stakeholders focused – Include persons with alternative views
- 28. 28ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Guidelines for Successful Implementation • Training – Trainers – Admin – Exam Managers – Students – Proctors
- 29. 29ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Guidelines for Successful Implementation • Administration – Policies for providing access – Careful scheduling of import processes – Development of other policies – Making connections with existing ExamSoft clients
- 30. 30ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Guidelines for Successful Implementation • Exam Managers – Champions – peer support / championing the cause – Phased pilot – Timely creation of exams – Use of mock exams – Feedback from students
- 31. 31ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Guidelines for Successful Implementation • Students – Computer with minimum requirements – Support • Academic Orientation • Online Support/Documentation • Walk-in Support – Download exam ahead of scheduled sitting
- 32. 32ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 • ExamSoft Champions 2012- Helping Others • Three faculty members awarded for their selfless contribution – assisting and encouraging their peers through the implementation process • Awarded an iPad mini from ExamSoft Highlight!
- 33. 33ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015 Guidelines for Implementation Discovery Activity • Discuss additional guidelines which resulted in successful implementation at your institutions. • What are some implementation challenges you anticipate and how would you overcome them? Report In 1 minute or less, share the most important discovery made during the discussion.
- 34. 34ExamSoft Assessment Conference | #ASSESS2015