OU Academic Technology Expo

With the use of electronic media for courses, there is a major problem with exams that are open book. Previously, student laptops have been allowed during exams so that they can access course textbooks (eBooks). The use of student laptops during exams has become a source of problems over the years as communication software becomes more prevalent and sophisticated. It is no longer reasonable to expect the instructor and TAs to monitor student laptops during exams. To solve this problem, android based tablets with special apps have been developed and implemented into two fundamental AME (School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering) courses, Fluid Mechanics and Solid Mechanics, at the University of Oklahoma. The presentation will be cover the selection process for the Android-based tablets and how the two main apps were developed. The first app, "examApp" permits the student to access the online text and it records the student's choices. It has numerous security features that limit access to the exam only on the tablets provided and only during the test time. The second app, "eBookApp", allows the student access to the online eBook used for the class. However, it blocks the student from other online web site or material. The Android operating system itself was modified to limit access to standard apps like email, app stores, social networks, and even browsers. The results of using the tablets and apps in both courses for Fall 2014 semester will be presented.