The University of South Africa will allow “struggling final-year students” to write open-book tests in order to help them graduate.<\/p>\n
According to a report in the Sunday Times, the new system was announced to Unisa staff in July, and has caused concern among some of the university’s academics.<\/p>\n
Selected students will be allowed to write an “assessment” from home, and will be given 24 hours to complete it. They must then sign a declaration stating the work is their own.<\/p>\n
The “alternative assessments” will be made available to undergraduate “concession students” who need to pass “one or two” more courses to obtain their degrees.<\/p>\n
Previously, Unisa students had to write a supplementary exam if they failed a course, or retake it completely. The “open-book” system will now see students writing assignments or submitting a written portfolio in place of an exam.<\/p>\n
Unisa staff who spoke to the Sunday Times said the system favoured “graduation over education”, and would allow students to pass courses that were above their learning ability.<\/p>\n
Staff are also concerned about the effect the system will have on the university’s credibility, and the possibility of cheating.<\/p>\n
Unisa’s executive director of academic planning Peter Havenga said the system will not hurt the quality of education at the institution.<\/p>\n
“What we’ve realised is that sometimes students gets stuck in a module and they build up a block – there is just something missing,” said Havenga.<\/p>\n
“The alternative assessment helped them over that hurdle.”<\/p>\n
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