Alternative assessments in the private universities during the Covid-19 pandemic: impact and consequences

Abstract

This study explores students‟ perceptions and thoughts on the alternative assessments conducted by their respected universities during the Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. A qualitative research method was employed to carry out this study and the participants are from different private universities of Bangladesh. Private university students were choosen for this study as almost all the private universities adopted alternative assessment during the pandemic. Therefore, documenting students‟ perceptions and experiencesof alternative assessments is crucial to understand the impacts and consequences of alternative assessment in the higher education in Bangladesh. The study also focused on the factors that influenced students to keep their interests on online learning. The results suggested that despite various challenges alternative assessments were used by most of the private universities during the pandemic and teachers and students had a positive attitude towards alternative assessment. More importantly, it will help university educators in Bangladesh to consider adopting alternative assessment in the future.