Online examination with OPAL, ONYX and MAXIMA – opportunities and limitations

Abstract

The transfer of classical classroom examinations into digital formats is probably inevitable in the future in order to carry out goal-oriented and demanding performance examinations as part of a modern and high-quality education. In this publication, we outline the opportunities and limitations of the ONYX testing platform in conjunction with the computer algebra system MAXIMA using the learning management system OPAL in the implementation of two online examinations with up to 500 students. Of particular interest are the observed shifts in the proportion of work with regard to conception, examination supervision and correction, which we present and whose effects we discuss.