Students’ choices between typing and handwriting in examinations

Mogey, Nora; Cowan, John; Paterson, Jessie; Purcell, Mike

Abstract

Keyboarding is a ubiquitous skill for most UK students and most coursework essays must be word-processed. However few examinations, other than for students with disabilities, permit the use of a word-processor. It is not known how students would respond given a free choice between handwriting and word-processing in an essay examination. This study reports the findings when students were encouraged to choose between these methods of composition for an examination. Few opted to word process; the students’ reactions immediately after the examination were obtained. The demands of essay examinations as compared with assignments are identified and discussed and implications for future enquiries are considered.

Citation

Mogey, N., Cowan, J., Paterson, J., & Purcell, M. (2012). Students’ choices between typing and handwriting in examinations. Active learning in higher education, 13(2), 117-128. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469787412441297

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Jun 28, 2012
• Publication Date: 2012-07
• Deposit Date: Sep 7, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 7, 2012
• Journal: Active Learning in Higher Education
• Print ISSN: 1469-7874
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-2625
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 117-128
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1469787412441297
• Keywords: Essay; examination; word processing; handwriting; computer; preparation; choice; time limit`
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/5611
• Contract Date: Sep 7, 2012