Back Up Papers

Inspera Digital Exams: Reducing Reliance on Back Up Papers

Over the last few examination periods, the Digital Exams Team were delighted to see an increase in adopters of no back-up paper exams following successful trials.

At present, the Digital Exams Team strongly recommend that Module Teams using Inspera do not have a back-up paper for Inspera exams which are unable to be taken without the use of a PC (see next section for full details) or when an exam contains allow listed resource(s) accessed online. If a student used a back-up paper for an exam using allow listed resources, they would not be able to access resource(s) in the same way as those students accessing the digital exam. For equity and to align with the Education Strategy, we are keen to ensure that all students can access their exams in the same way.

Why can’t all exams have a paper-based back-up? 

A number of digital exams can be completed using a back-up paper version, if needed. However, we have current user examples where innovative and/or authentic assessment approaches mean that exam content cannot be replicated in paper format for other reasons. These include:   

• Video based digital exams: incorporating medical based videos into Digital Exams  

• Audio based digital exams: including audio clips within phonetics based Digital Exams  

• Language based digital exams: changing the keyboard language to match the language being assessed  

• Exams which require access to specialised software (i.e. SPSS) on a PC 

What are the benefits of not using a back-up paper? 

• Security: such as randomisation of questions, use of Safe Exam Browser (our lockdown browser) and activity monitoring online. 

• Efficiency: Grading online using one system and automated grading for auto marked questions saves time and reduces the possibility of human error. 

• Accessible: Inclusive design features (i.e. dark mode) allow for students to take examinations online using Inspera while using in-built accessibility tools. There are also options for the use of screen reader technology (i.e. Claro) by exempting students from the lockdown environment. 

• Environmental: Reduced paper usage decreasing our environmental footprint. 

• Alignment with our Education Strategy: Ensuring that we, at Newcastle University, are giving our students an enabling environment to embrace digital skills within assessment, which provides an educational experience that ensures our students are fit for their future and have an equitable experience of assessment.

Support for Students

The Digital Exams Team have several processes to support students for digital exams without a back-up paper: 

1. Communications to Module Teams: We ask Module Teams to share communications to students to help prepare for their Inspera exam which is not using a back-up paper version.  
2. Password support from NUIT: In liaison with NUIT, password resets can be carried out if students arrive 20 minutes before the exam starts. 
3. Live troubleshooting: There is troubleshooting support from the Digital Exams Team during main assessment periods where colleagues work with IT, Exams Office and Invigilators to ensure students can access their Inspera exams online.