Online Testing: Ensure Comprehension & Mitigate Cheating with “Show Work” – News from the Nest

In online testing, asking students to support their answers can give insight into their thought processes. Not only can you provide partial credit should you choose based on their supportive comments, but it might also help ensure that students are completing assessments without outside help. 

In a math course, ask students to input the steps of their solution. If you choose to review student work, you might identify common mistakes or conceptual misunderstandings. 

 “I think this would be a great way to see if my students truly understand a concept. If they are able to type out how they arrived at an answer, explain their process to me, and it makes sense, then I know they understand the concept. However, if they can not do so, it can either help me see where they become confused, or, it indicates that they may be cheating with PhotoMath or another way.”

– Instructor at Methodist University

In a humanities course, asking students to explain their thought processes or provide additional explanations to support their answers can help ensure comprehension of key concepts. You might even ask students to provide an alternate example or explain why an answer is correct for bonus credit. 

There are many opportunities to ask for deeper level learning and explanation from your students using the “Show Work” feature of Hawkes’ online tests.

On the Instructor’s Side

In WebTest’s Assignment Builder, there is a button for each question to Enable Show Work.

Answers are evaluated completely independently of Show Work, however, as you review each question in the student’s WebTest attempt you’ll be able to see whether or not they submitted via the Show Work feature.

Reviewing Questions with Work Attached

• Navigate to the Tools tab > Assignment Reviewer
  • You can also get to our Test Reviewer tool from All Student Scores and Detailed Student Grades reports
• Select the WebTest you’d like to review
• Choose the student whose test you’d like to review
• Select ‘Review Attempt‘ in the bottom, right corner
• As you review each question in the student’s attempt, you’ll be able to see whether or not they submitted via the Show Work feature.

On the Student Side

A Show Work textbox appears for any question that has the feature enabled, giving students the option to upload an image file of their work, type supporting evidence, or justify their answer.

• All images uploaded must be png, jpg, gif, or tif file format.
• The maximum file size allowed for upload is 10MB per question.
• Students receive full credit for correct answers and no credit for incorrect answers regardless of whether they entered anything into the Show Work box. 

We hope this feature will be helpful to you and your students, especially in the online testing environment! As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about this feature or any of our other Hawkes Grade Book features.