Job Discussion Forums

[revilo]

Recently, I proctored a computer science exam for future doctors. Friends sat next to friends and openly looked at screens other than their own. In addition, they were talking to each other.
This resulted in over half the class staying the full 90 min. for exam. The regular comp. sci. professor was dividing his time among 3 different computer labs. The noise level in the lab was too high to be an honest exam. A couple of students jumped from one computer to the next, although one computer legitimately broke down.
Finally, the exam was finished and one student had not completed transferring the marks to the answer sheet. Both of the proctors (us) walked out without taking his exam.
He went over our heads and delivered the exam to the dept. chair. We got admonished because Saudi courts recently ruled that "student rights matter." Apparently, integrity and knowledge do not.

[scot47]

Saudis do not like to say "NO" to other Saudis. This applies at all levels - from the nursery to the boardroom.

[gregory999]

[scot47]

Proctoring/invigilation of exams in Saudi is a great Science. Very important to get it right. If not. much weeping and gnashing of teeth will follow.

[nomad soul]

This is why some universities (including the one I taught at) eliminated paper tests in favor of computer-based testing. Students start at different points in the test, which makes peeking at nearby testers' answers pointless. Plus, the tests are timed; students stay focused on the screen in front of them and don't dally because the system automatically shuts down the exam at the allotted time. Invigilation was a breeze.

[scot47]

Much more advanced on the Distaff Side !

[revilo]

The level of computer technology at this school is limited because there are no servers that can store tests or student work. It's strictly "look at the examples on the hard drive and look at the data on the spreadsheets or documents." "Now report what you see or describe the steps you take to get to point B" The students choose the best answer on the answer sheet and have to transfer marks to a scantron form. It's kind of primitive, but it gets the job done.

[revilo]

Today was the Intro to Stats exam and half of the knuckleheads came in with scientific calculators. Teachers confiscated them and students sulked in their seats while they waited for the more prepared students to loan them acceptable calculators.
One student was 3 min. past the finish time and he wanted to take a picture of the test w/ his iPhone.
the motto of Saudis is "the rules don't apply to me." which makes them beloved in the Middle East.

[hash]

..

[hash]

[scot47]

These guys are serious. Perhaps this is to be expected when you turn education into an international commodity to be bought or sold.

[izmigari]

We are bereft of Sowdy students due to an 18% pass rate.

Had my "management" been more interested in my advice than fearful of my ascension to their lofty heights, I wouldn't be sitting here today laughing my a$$ off at the aspect of having less students on Monday than I have fingers on my hand.

Sowdies need "tough love" in the "West".

I ain't talkin' about the "skank" that they're drawn to...

[bertonneau]

It should be amusing to watch teh so-called knowledge base of the future take place. It's going to be fun watching from outside Saudi as these guys fall flat on their faces when the oil money completely runs out. The brginings of this are already becoming apparent as Saudi Phd's and lalw school graduates (females) are hired to wash cadavears and Islamic studies graduates are being hired as cleaners in Baha. Let the results of this rigged system come on thru. I tell my Eygptian collegues that when Saudis are coming to Eygpt in 10-20 years to come wash their cars and take their garbage out they will get their just rewards for an uneducated/slacker life lived.

[plumpy nut]

[In the heat of the moment]

Hey, what happened to the Al Khaleej thread? I thought that was useful.