Title: Assessing knowledge in dialogue: undergraduate synopsis-based oral examinations at a Scandinavian business school

Authors: Charles T. Tackney; Ole Strömgren; Toyoko Sato

Addresses: Department of Intercultural Communication and Management, Copenhagen Business School, Porcelænshaven 18A, Frederiksberg DK-2000, Denmark ' Department of Intercultural Communication and Management, Copenhagen Business School, Porcelænshaven 18A, Frederiksberg DK-2000, Denmark ' Department of Intercultural Communication and Management, Copenhagen Business School, Porcelænshaven 18A, Frederiksberg DK-2000, Denmark

Abstract: The Synopsis-Based Oral Examination (S-BOE) is described as deployed in international management education programs in a Danish business school. It assesses students in light of specified learning objectives through time-constrained presentation and dialogue. The format is premised on prior submission of a synopsis, although the synopsis has no bearing on grade assessment. Practitioner experience and student feedback suggest that students experience this type of examination as an important learning experience, in itself, in addition to testing course-related knowledge. We reviewed the current epistemological basis for grading, providing a critical realism corrective to enhance assessment and appropriation of this exam format.

Keywords: tertiary education; undergraduate examinations; examination forms; curriculum design; dramatic knowledge; S-BOE; synopsis-based oral examinations; critical realism; knowledge assessment; Scandinavia; business schools; Denmark; learning objectives; time-constrained presentations; time-constrained dialogues; business students; universities; higher education; prior submissions; synopses; grade assessments; student grades; practitioner experience; student feedback; learning experiences; course-related knowledge; epistemology; exam formats; Copenhagen Business School; education management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2013.056659

International Journal of Management in Education, 2013 Vol.7 No.4, pp.417 - 436

Published online: 13 Sep 2014 *

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