Towards a Functional and Technical Architecture for e-Exams

In the context of lifelong learning, student learning is online or computer-mediated. However, schools and universities are still using the traditional style of paper-based evaluations even if technological environments and learning management systems are used during lectures and exercises. This paper proposes a functional and technical e-exam solution in order to allow learners and students to do e-exam in universities’ classrooms and dedicated centres. We evaluate our approach in an object-oriented programming and databases course. The experimental study involved students from the first and second year of a Master degree in an engineering school. The results show that (1) Students' knowledge is better assessed during the e-exam, (2) the technical environment is easier to master than the paper environment, and (3) students are able to apply the competencies developed during the lessons in the e-exam. This research work is dedicated to Education and Computer Science active communities and more specifically to directors of learning centres / Universities’ departments, and the service of information technology and communication for education (pedagogical engineers) who meet difficulties in evaluating students’ in a secure environment.