I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF – STUDENT INSIGHTS INTO ORAL EXAMINATIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

The traditional written examination has long been the cornerstone of student assessment in higher education.A student needs to show his/her progress by answering a premeditated question/s.However, this method often fails to capture the full spectrum of a student's knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills.In higher education there are also so called metaskills to be embraced.This paper explores the efficacy of oral evaluations as an alternative assessment method in higher education.Oral evaluations, which involve students verbally articulating their understanding of the subject matter and responses to questions, offer a dynamic and interactive approach to assessment enabling to gain teachers deeper understanding of the big picture.This paper examines the benefits and challenges associated with oral evaluations.Benefits include the ability to assess students' verbal communication skills, immediate feedback opportunities, and the potential to reduce academic dishonesty.Oral evaluations can also foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter, as students must engage in critical thinking.Also, coherent articulation of their thoughts is required, and if necessary, also connecting the issue at hand to its larger context.Additionally, this method can accommodate diverse learning styles and provide a more comprehensive evaluation of student performance.However, the use of oral evaluations has its challenges.Logistical issues such as scheduling for one, the potential for subjective grading, and the increased time required for each assessment are noteworthy.The study also addresses concerns about student anxiety and the need for training both students and educators to effectively participate in oral evaluations.Data for this study were collected through interviews with students and faculty members who have experienced both written and oral evaluations and reflecting the findings to literature.The findings suggest that while oral evaluations may not completely replace written exams, they can serve as a valuable complementary, or occasional compensatory assessment tool.The paper concludes with recommendations for integrating oral evaluations into higher education curricula, including possibilities for preparation, execution, and grading.By highlighting the strengths and addressing the challenges of oral evaluations, this paper aims to contribute to the discourse on innovative assessment methods in higher education.The ultimate goal is to enhance the assessment process, ensuring it is fair, comprehensive, and reflective of students' true capabilities, while also taking staff's resource use into the equation.