Balancing Assessment Security and Flexibility in E-Assessment

This whitepaper discusses the challenges of balancing assessment security and flexibility in the context of digital and online assessments, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to online assessments has raised concerns about student cheating, as educators quickly transitioned to flexible assessment methods. The report draws on literature analysis and insights from a workshop with senior leaders in Australian higher education and the educational technology sector. It outlines the definitions of assessment, academic integrity, and assessment security, emphasizing that both approaches are necessary to combat cheating. The document further examines student motivations related to assessment tasks and the implications for assessment design. The findings indicate that intrinsic motivation can be fostered through supportive assessment practices, potentially reducing instances of cheating. The report concludes by addressing the need for innovative strategies in online assessment to ensure academic integrity while accommodating student preferences for flexibility.