Open Technology Solutions has been working hard this year to provide the first ever tertiary exam conducted on students own computers^[1] within Australia.

• Read our news update: http://www.opentechnologysolutions.com.au/news/eexams-computers-update
• A website has been put together by the University of Tasmania for the project: http://www.eexaminations.org/
• The Australian has a write up: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/laptops-pass-the-big-ex...
• The University of Tasmania's Newsletter also mentions the achievement: http://www.utas.edu.au/events/Unitas/2009/November%20Unitas_335.pdf
• Dr. Andrew Fluck has published a case study on conducting exams on computers: http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet25/fluck.pdf

1.

Corrected from "exam on computers"

On the 6th of November, the University of Tasmania conducted what is believed to be the first tertiary exam conducted on students own computers^[1] in Australia.

In a previous announcement we outlined the features and our involvement in the process of the trail runs.
http://www.opentechnologysolutions.com.au/news/university-exams-computer...

After doing a number of trials on in-classroom tests the system was adapted and made ready to be used in a real exam. While the system used is still very young, we believe that eExam shows a lot of potential and has started to open opportunities to do more exams on computers. As computers become more common in examinations, more practical applications can be fulfilled. For example, besides spell-checking, students will be able to use spreadsheets, watch videos, look up chemical elements and manage their references better all while sitting an exam.

The University of Tasmania has set up a website that details the project and the progress made. It is well worth a read as it outlines the features, the future of the project and some student feedback: http://www.eexaminations.org/

A case study on using computers in exams has also been published by Dr. Andrew Fluck who has been heading up the project: http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet25/fluck.pdf

1.

Corrected from "exam on computers"

Following on from my last post I have now registered for LCA2010 after registrations opened on Saturday.

If you haven't already, Register Now!

Well, after running the incredibly awesome linux.conf.au in 2009 ^[1] I have just booked in my flights and accommodation for linux.conf.au 2010.

Unfortunately their registrations aren't open yet^[2] so I can't say I've got everything in order, but it's not far off now!

I am still getting over not answering the hundreds of emails per a week and organising a thousand things, so on one hand I'm still suffering from the withdrawal and want to add a bunch of features to zookeepr but on the other I am certainly looking forward to doing nothing and floating around the conference in a very ghost like fashion^[3].

The Wellington team have been doing a great job with all of their work so far and from what I can see it looks like they are going to be putting on an amazing conference. I was on the papers committee again this year which was a very enjoyable experience and a great chance to get a sneak peak at their now released schedule. I haven't yet chosen which are my favourite (and thus likely to attend) talks for this year, but I will do that closer to the date and post them here as I have done previously.

Anyway... I'm going, Are you?

1.

am I allowed to say that :)

2.

http://www.lca2010.org.nz/register/prices "mid-to-late September 2009"

3.

Past conference organisers are referred to as ghosts

As the second semester finally closes on what seems like a fruitful year, for myself and for Linux, the amount of free time that I have has greatly increased. This however lead a good friend of mine to approach me with his very sad looking laptop, begging for some help. His fairly new Dell laptop was, very sadly, chug to the brim of heavenly maleware. Since he was a good friend of mine I happily, well at least willingly, lended him a helping hand in his technical hour of need.  Read More »