Achol Tinah
Dr. Anne Abaho, the Dean at the School of Social Sciences, Nkumba University, has delivered a thought-provoking online presentation on rethinking student assessment in the age of blended learning to shift to focusing on open-book and take-home exams. Dr. Abaho emphasized that traditional timed exams may no longer be effective in today’s dynamic learning environments.
“Assessment should be about understanding, not just recall,” she stressed, highlighting the importance of modern, application-based evaluation. Well-designed open-book and take-home exams challenge students to think critically and solve real-world problems, skills that go beyond rote memorization.
“These methods provide space for students to demonstrate depth, not just memory,” Dr. Abaho said. “It’s not about having the answers in front of you, but knowing how to use them.” However, she cautioned students against the misconception that open-book exams are easy, requiring just as much, if not more, preparation and understanding.
The presentation aligns with ongoing debates about streamlining university learning to a competence-based curriculum. While presenting at the ongoing Nkumba University Academic Staff Capacity Building Training Workshop yesterday, Dr. Frank Pio Kiyingi, the Academic Registrar at Nkumba University, noted that this approach focuses on applying knowledge and skills to solve real-life situations, with students being assessed based on their situational approach. “We have long been having similar debates. We need to streamline University learning to a competence-based curriculum, which may not require sitting an exam but applying knowledge and skills acquired to solve real-life situations, and a student is given marks according to the success of their situational approach. “
Research supports this shift, highlighting the importance of assessment in social work practice. Effective assessment approaches prioritize critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, preparing students for real-world challenges.
Dr. Abaho’s presentation serves as a timely reminder of the need for student-centered assessment approaches that foster these essential skills, positioning Nkumba University at the forefront of innovative education.
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