E-Exam Questions and Meaningful Learning

Abstract

Traditionally exams are seen as one of the important learning situations and as possibilities to verify the learning processes in universities. In academic contexts exams are used actively, and they still play an important role. From a pedagogical point of view, exams are also criticized – do exams promote high-quality learning? Current learning theories highlight the active role of the individual learner and skills for future working life. At the same time the changes in the operating environment are huge and the pace of development is high, which also challenges academic practices. Digital revolution forces and allows for learning in different contexts. Different web-based solutions are developing strongly and are in active use in academic contexts, also in the open university. Webbased solutions can promote equal opportunities to participate in lifelong learning for the adult students. For example, e-exams help and sometimes enable academic studies for adult students. In the article the experiences of the adult students of the open university regarding e-exam questions and the meaningfulness of their own learning process are examined.