Students’ Perspectives on Simplified Breakout Room Approach during Video Proctored Online Assessment in COVID 19 Lock down

Abstract

Background: The lockdown in COVID 19 pandemic mandated the normal academic schedule in virtual mode includinge-assessments. Since the summative assessments are a mix of both selected response approach and constructed responseapproach, a new method of e assessment under video surveillance by break out room approach has been tried in thisstudy and the student’s response with regard to the different aspects of this technology will be evaluated.Methods: The students were asked to appear for the exams under video surveillance by zoom video conference. Theinstructions and the check lists were rolled out accordingly for both the students and teachers. The students appeared forthe examination under video surveillance such that one invigilator monitors 10 students along with a guardian secondaryinvigilator present by their side. A questionnaire based survey regarding the conduct of examination was conductedamongst the students. The data was analysed by descriptive statistics. P value < 0.05 is taken as statistically significant.All statistical analysis was performed by using the statistical software package SPSS version 21.Results: Analysis of student’s feedback revealed that 90% are agreed that proctored clarified their queries. Majority of thestudents (96%) are happy with overall experience with break out room approach in video proctored online assessment.Conclusion: The conduct of online assessment by break out room approach is a new methodology tried in this period ofpandemic lockdown and will be evaluated for its acceptance by the students so that it can facilitate the upgradation ofe-assessment methodologies.