New admin console
Last spring, we have made changes ‘under the hood’ to the management console of the Chromebooks. This was necessary because on 1 June, Google withdrew its support on the previous admin app. With the help of our ICTS colleagues the new app underwent rigorous testing, so we were able to make a seamless transition to the new admin console on 30 May.
Students now have the benefit of having a desktop at their disposal instead of being ‘locked’ into a single full screen window on their Chromebook. This makes it possible to use PDF’s such as a formula sheet or an article that is enclosed in the question. At the moment only PDF’s can be included in TestVision exams, but we are exploring other options to offer open book exams – a feature that we know would be most welcome!
New Chromebooks
The hardware also needed our attention. In March the first batch of 864 Chromebooks (bought in 2019) was replaced with a model, that has a longer battery life (meaning that we do not need to use power-banks anymore) and a support package that will last for five years.
The old Chromebooks have been donated to specific UM students and students from various educational institutes in the Zuid-Limburg area.
More Chromebooks
At the moment, well over 80% of exams use Chromebooks, and there is continuing demand for more. Faculties with large cohorts of students such as SBE would need all 1400 Chromebooks for a single exam session, which leaves no room for other faculties. That is why UM has bought an additional 400 Chromebooks, which means that from October 2022 onwards, we will be able to use all available 1800 seats at the Westhal for digital exams.
Dear,
I would like to use this facility in all of my future exams for my students. I am teaching a course Biochemistry at MSP. This involves annually 105-110 students. A written exam is becoming more and more challenging.
How can I make the first steps to try to integrate this (for me) new feature in my course from now on?
Where are the computers located, because it is not clear to me if I need to arrange a room myself and get the compters there or that these computers are in a particular room (or rooms) and that we can book that specific room for the appropriate amount of students?
Thank you very much for your help.
Looking forward to your answers, as I am very excited on implementing this!
Dear Niko, we have contacted you regarding all your questions.
For Others: a lot of information on digital assessment (mainly for students) is available on the Online Library: https://library.maastrichtuniversity.nl/study/digital-exams/
And for teaching staff: you can walk through a dedicated Canvas course for which you can request access to via your faculty exam coordinator: https://library.maastrichtuniversity.nl/study/digital-exams/support/