[W8MWA] ARRL VEC Issues Statement on Video-Supervised Online Exam Sessions

[Spence Graham]

04/13/2020

Very few ARRL Volunteer Examiner teams have successfully conducted
in-person exam sessions (following social distancing guidelines) and
video-supervised exam sessions using fillable PDF exams and documents. So
far, we have found that both types of sessions take volunteer teams two to
three times longer to conduct and accommodate fewer candidates than
sessions conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the video
sessions have included only one examinee per session.

We ask the community to be patient with our volunteer teams as they
navigate uncharted territory. Please remember with the introduction of
significant new processes such as these, that there should be proof of
concept, establishment of protocols and procedures, and beta testing before
expanding to a larger audience. Video-supervised exam sessions require a
different skillset than in-person exam administration. Not all teams will
be equipped to deliver video exams right away.

The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) has been investigating
options for an online examination system.

Fillable PDFs are cumbersome within a video-supervised exam session
process. We recognize that online testing would represent a large-scale
solution for our thousands of VEs and would make session procedures easier
for our teams, but this will not happen overnight.

The ARRL VEC will continue to adapt and respond to the evolving crisis as
we search for viable and easy-to-use online examination system solutions
and conduct exam sessions in innovative ways.

-- 
73,

Spence

*Spencer W. Graham, II*
*WT8WV*
*73 Crosby Road*
*Morgantown, WV 26508*

*2017-2019 VP of Monongalia Wireless Association http://www.w8mwa.org/
<http://www.w8mwa.org/> *
*ARRL Volunteer Examiner *
*W5YI Volunteer Examiner*
*Laurel ARC Volunteer Examiner*
*ARRL WV Section Affiliate Club Coordinator *

*Check Out My Ham Radio Blog Site...  http://kb8fir.wordpress.com
<http://kb8fir.wordpress.com>*

*(ex-KB8FIR and ex-KA8LJO)*
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