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)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46827/ejae.v10i3.6437Ključne riječi:
Open and Distance Learning, assessment, examination topics, artificial intelligenceSažetak
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.Reference
Aristeidou M, Cross S, Rossade KD, Wood C, Rees T, Paci P, 2024. Online exams in higher education: Exploring distance learning students' acceptance and satisfaction. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 40: 342–359. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12888
Balboni P, 2016. Problemi etici nella verifica, valutazione e certificazione della competenza linguistica. In: Assessment in Foreign Language & Literature Teaching. Ss. Cyril and Methodius University Press, 25–36. Retrieved from https://phaidra.cab.unipd.it/view/o:465036
Baume M, 2020. How to manage online proctored exams at European universities? Background knowledge and practical experiences on the use of online proctored exams in Europe. INTED Proceedings 2020: 5917–5927. https://doi.org/10.21125/inted.2020.1597
Bozkurt A, Conrad D, Joksimović S, Jung I, Kirkwood A, Mak S, Zawacki-Richter O, 2024. The manifesto for teaching and learning in a time of generative AI. Open Praxis 16: 487–513. https://doi.org/10.55982/openpraxis.16.4.777
Chaudhary S, Dey N, 2013. Assessment in open and distance learning systems. Open Praxis 32: 207–216. https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.5.3.65
Creswell JW, 2016. Η έρευνα στην εκπαίδευση: Σχεδιασμός, διεξαγωγή και αξιολόγηση της ποσοτικής και ποιοτικής έρευνας. Ιων/Έλλην.
Cross S, Aristeidou M, Rossade K, Wood C, Brasher A, 2023. The impact of online exams on distance learners' experience. Online Learning 27: 27–45. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v27i2.3761
Domínguez-Figaredo DD, Gil-Jaurena IG, Morentin-Encina JM, 2022. Impact of online assessment on performance in distance learning. Electronic Journal of e-Learning 20: 224–241. https://doi.org/10.34190/ejel.20.3.2399
Du Plessis E, 2025. Embracing project-based assessments in the age of AI. International Journal of Information and Education Technology 15: 372–381. https://www.ijiet.org/show-216-2894-1.html
Fang Y, Roscoe RD, McNamara DS, 2023. Artificial intelligence-based assessment in education. In: Handbook of Artificial Intelligence in Education, Edward Elgar Publishing, 485–504. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800375413.00033
Froehlich L, Sassenberg K, Jonkmann K, Scheiter K, Stürmer S, 2023. Student diversity and e-exam acceptance. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 39: 1196–1210. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12794
Guangul FM, Suhail AH, Khalit MI, Khidhir BA, 2020. Challenges of remote assessment during COVID-19. Educational Assessment Evaluation and Accountability 32: 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11092-020-09340-w
Hatzipanagos S, Amrane-Cooper L, Tait A, 2024. Transformation of assessments through pandemic and AI. Ubiquity Proceedings 4: 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5334/uproc.126
Hughes G, Tait A, 2021. Evaluating assessment reforms in distance education programmes. University of London, Centre for Distance Education. Retrieved from https://www.london.ac.uk/sites/default/files/cde/assessment-reform-tra-report.pdf
Ioakeimidou V, Manousou E, Stamoulis E, Dimopoulos K, Zotou M, Kambourmali I, Karountzou G, Koutsoumpa K, Bousiou O, Styla D, Tsakiridou D, 2023. Τελικές εξετάσεις στα πανεπιστήμια ανοικτής και εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευσης: Ανασκόπηση της βιβλιογραφίας. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Open and Distance Learning: 1–16. doi: 10.12681/icodl.6063
Kinley K, 2023. Exploring alternative invigilated assessments in higher education. ASCILITE Proceedings 2023: 457–461. https://doi.org/10.14742/apubs.2023.511
Lionarakis A, 2005. Ανοικτή και εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση και διαδικασίες μάθησης. In: Ανοικτή και Εξ Αποστάσεως Εκπαίδευση. ΕΑΠ, 13–38.
Manousou E, 2025. Critical thinking in distance education and the role of AI. Education Sciences 15: 757. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15060757
Manousou E, Rassia K, 2024. Online examinations: Reliability and quality issues. Art Human Open Access Journal 6: 173–179. https://doi.org/10.15406/ahoaj.2024.06.00240
Mezzadri M, 2020. Language learning, teaching and democratic awareness. In: Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Languages and Humanities 2020, 179–191. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319618476_Language_learning_and_teaching_and_the_formation_of_democratic_awareness_The_challenge_of_the_Common_European_Framework_of_Reference
Tasis T, 2022. Radical design: Human enhancement and the iconistic polis. STRAND Philosophy of Architecture Proceedings: 29–35. Retrieved from https://www.strand.rs/2022-proceedings-p29/
UNESCO, 2006. Education for all global monitoring report: Understanding of literacy. Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001416/141639e.pdf
Vorvilas G, Liapis A, Angelopoulou D, Karousos N, Efstathopoulos EP, 2023. Conducting remote e-exams in distance education: Students’ perceptions. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education 24: 167–182. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/1882477
Vlachopoulos D, Makri A, 2024. Authentic assessment in higher education: A systematic review. Studies in Educational Evaluation 83: 101425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2024.101425
Preuzimanja
Objavljeno
Broj časopisa
Rubrika
Licenca
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).


