Online testing technology: Important lessons learned

We report results on how design aspects of technology and perceptions of students towards online testing technology affect the learning and preparation process of students. Using data from a survey of 285 university students, we present their feedback on whether online testing was an effective tool in helping them learn the course material and a good preparation for in-class exams. The lessons we learned may be helpful to others who plan to implement, or develop, similar technology in their classroom. Our results are not surprising, but offer further insight into the learning process of students and how this is affected by technology. The results provide a basis for further study into other areas of online testing such as: cheating by students and how this can undermine learning and understanding of course material; security issues as they relate to test questions; and how perceptions towards technology affect learning. Our results also reinforce the view that technology design, ease of use, functionality and accessibility must be given high priority by administrators and developers because these factors can influence the learning, and preparation, process of students. Ignoring these factors can lead to extremely unhappy students who expect to learn without being inhibited by technology.