A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY OF THE EVOLUTION OF EXAMINATION TOPICS IN OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING: THE EKP65 MODULE OF THE HELLENIC OPEN UNIVERSITY (1999–2024)

Autor(i)

  • Kyriaki Rassia PhD Candidate, School of Humanities, Hellenic Open University, Greece
  • Evangelia Manousou Assistant Professor, School of Humanities, Hellenic Open University, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejae.v10i3.6437

Ključne riječi:

Open and Distance Learning, assessment, examination topics, artificial intelligence

Sažetak

This qualitative case study examines the evolution of examination topics in the EKP65 module of the Hellenic Open University from 1999 to 2024, analysing how assessment design in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) responds to pedagogical, institutional and technological change. Using NVivo-assisted qualitative document analysis, the study explores transformations in clarity, structural coherence, alignment with learning materials, cognitive demands and authenticity. Findings show significant improvements after 2016, with examination topics becoming more concise, conceptually integrated and pedagogically transparent. The transition to online examinations in 2020 accelerated enhancements in clarity and workload calibration, while the emergence of generative artificial intelligence after 2022 prompted a stronger emphasis on interpretive reasoning and personalised responses to safeguard authenticity. Overall, EKP65 reflects wider assessment transformations in ODL, demonstrating how examination design adapts to digital environments and emerging challenges. The study contributes insights for developing credible, learner-centred and AI-resilient assessment practices.

Biografije autora

  • Kyriaki Rassia, PhD Candidate, School of Humanities, Hellenic Open University, Greece

    Kyriaki Rassia is a certified Adult Educator graduate of Italian and Spanish Language and Culture. Holding Master’s degrees in “Educational Sciences” and in “Education and Technologies in Distance Learning Systems”, she is a PhD candidate at the Hellenic Open University specializing in Distance Education, with a research focus on reforming e-assessment in the humanities. With 25 years of teaching experience, she has served as an oral examiner for the Italian language certification exams and currently she has been teaching Methodology at The Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education. She has also been elected as an EU Student Careers Ambassador, representing the Hellenic Open University in European career development initiatives.

  • Evangelia Manousou, Assistant Professor, School of Humanities, Hellenic Open University, Greece

    Evangelia Manousou is assistant professor at the Hellenic Open University since 2023. She has done postgraduate studies in Educational Informatics at the National and Kapodistrian University and holds a PhD in Open and Distance Learning Education at the Hellenic Open University, specializing in Instructional Design. She is working as a Tutor Supervisor in the field of Distance Learning at the Hellenic Open University. She has written a great variety of educational materials (softwares, books, MOOCS, etc.). Her particular scientific interests are: open and distance education institutions and functions, distance learning materials, instructional design, learning theories, skills development, evaluation in distance learning in the era of AI: exploring alternative forms.

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2025-12-18

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