Overview of approved software for online exams
Digital oral and practical exams:
The exams take place in the same way as a conventional oral exam, but via video conferencing software. Paderborn University currently only has one possible conferencing system in use. The technology should be tested by all participants in advance. It is not necessary to register the exam with the ZIM.
Moodle can be supplemented with additional software applications, enabling, for example, competency-based assessments. Tasks such as solving problems in an office application can be integrated into the exam process. In such cases, the specific software (e.g., Excel) is explicitly enabled in the configuration of the Safe Exam Browser for the respective exam. However, it should be noted that depending on the exam scenario and the software used, this approach may not be suitable for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) exams.
Alternatively, other software tools may be used without relying on PANDA (Moodle), such as design tools, Jupyter Notebooks, geometry software, statistical tools, and more. These programs are considered as permissible aids, subject to approval by the examiner. It is important to ensure that a valid license exists for any software used. Please verify whether the workplace, students, or the designated computer pool possess the necessary licenses—or whether the software is openly licensed, such as the geometry software Cinderella. For resource-intensive applications like CAD software, it must also be ensured that the computer used for the exam meets the required performance specifications.
According to § 6 of the Regulations for Online Examinations and the Electronic Submission of Theses in All Degree Programs at Paderborn University, as well as for Research Papers in the Master's Programs in Mechanical Engineering at Paderborn University, remote examinations may be supervised via a video-audio conferencing system. The systems mentioned above are suitable for and approved for use in oral examinations.
The effectiveness of supervising a large number of students via small on-screen tiles should be determined by the respective examiners.
For all digital exams taken remotely, it should be assumed that students may use supporting materials. Therefore, it is recommended that such exams be designed as open-book examinations, allowing the use of any resources such as books and notes. The decision as to whether an exam is suitable for a remote format lies with the respective instructor.