Schools taking up free internet health checks ahead of online exams

The majority of the internet health checks will be done by the end of this month to allow time for schools to make any required adjustments well ahead of the exam period.

There are 247 schools registered to get their networks assessed by N4L in 2021.

Now in its third year, N4L’s partnership with NZQA means schools participating in online exams can get their internet speeds checked to make sure their Wi-Fi can handle the extra demand throughout the exam rooms, with no “dead spots”.

Network security is also assessed, to protect against unauthorised access to school systems and keep students on task, away from non-exam related websites.

“We feel it’s better to be safe than sorry,” says Glendowie College ICT Manager and Digital Technologies Teacher Vicki Mercer. The college uses a variety of rooms throughout the exam period and Ms Mercer says it's important to plan ahead and check the internet speed and resilience in each room.

She continues: “The N4L digital checks are a way of making sure that we remove all the external stresses that we can for our students, so that on the big day, when they’re in the exam room, they’re able to fully focus on the material and have the best experience possible.”

Just over 270 Glendowie College students are anticipated to sit at least one of nine NCEA subjects they’re offering digitally from a possible twenty-four 2021 NCEA Online subjects.

Schools receive a list of suggestions following the checkup outlining how and where they could strengthen their networks, and what improvements they can make to help minimise disruptions, prioritise exam internet traffic, and prevent unauthorised access to the network.

A panel of ten New Zealand technology companies has been appointed by N4L to assist with the digital health checks.

NZQA’s Deputy Chief Executive Assessment Andrea Gray, who’s responsible for Digital Assessment Transformation, says: “Today almost all students are doing some of their learning and assessments online. Feedback indicates they prefer it, so it’s important that schools work with N4L to assess their network capabilities to help ensure students can have a positive online exam experience.”

Last year 22,475 students from 276 schools sat at least one NCEA Online digital exam and she predicts these numbers are expected to grow. As the NCEA Review and Review of Achievement standards progresses, NZQA is expecting more assessments to be completed digitally.

N4L is also supporting schools throughout the exam period, proactively monitoring their networks for any performance issues, and keeping the worst of the web away.

Digital equity is central to N4L.” says N4L CEO, Larrie Moore. “Providing a secure and reliable internet service to all schools and Kura is a prerequisite to ensuring all students can learn safely online and participate in NCEA online exams.”

N4L is upgrading school network equipment nationwide as part of the four-year Ministry of Education Te Mana Tūhono(external link) programme.