A Study on Attitudes of Teachers and Students Towards Implementing an Open-Book Examination for GCE O/L English Literature

Abstract

Generally, the examinations conducted in Sri Lanka, including Grade five Scholarship examination, GCE Ordinary Level examination and GCE Advanced Level examination are focused on testing the memorizing skills of the candidates. This study aims at investigating the problem of conducting closed-book examinations for GCE Ordinary Level English Literature students, and the primary objective of this study is to show the attitudes of teachers and students towards implementing open-book examinations for GCE O/L English Literature examination. A qualitative method was employed to address the objectives of the study. The participants of the study consisted of teachers of English literature and A/L students who have studied English literature for GCE O/L from Colombo and Kandy cities. Forty A/L students who have studied English Literature for GCE O/L were given questionnaires and ten teachers of English Literature were interviewed to gather the necessary data of this study. The data which was collected through interviews and questionnaires were examined, analyzed and synthesized using critical thinking. The synthesized data showed that the participants prefer implementing an open book examination for English Literature at GCE Ordinary Level and explained that the exams of English Literature should not test learners‟ memory but how they interpret the text. Thus, the government should take necessary actions to establish laws and examination methods that respond to learner needs and current trends around the world.