Returning Written Assignments Electronically: Adapting Off-the-Shelf Technology To Preserve Privacy and Exam Integrity

Abstract

The sophomore organic chemistry program at the University of Georgia offers four written exams each semester to approximately 1200 students at multiple exam sites across campus. Exam integrity and security are very real concerns both during administration of the exam and following return of graded exams. Graded exams that were altered by students and subsequently returned for reconsideration presented a significant problem using the free-response format commonly used for organic exams. With the use of commercially available equipment and a locally developed web application, exams are now returned to students electronically as PDF files. A >80% reduction of reconsideration requests has been observed accompanying implementation of the electronic return protocol. In addition, student responses and grading marks are preserved, thus facilitating more precise and careful evaluation of regrade requests.