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This reference combines all practical resources for booklet implementation: from initial planning to exam administration. Use the checklists for systematic preparation and the troubleshooting section for addressing issues as they arise.
Implementation Timeline
4-6 Weeks Before Semester Start
Make fundamental decisions: Set maximum page count (recommended: 15), choose submission rhythm, define handwriting requirements, determine A5 color printing at 300 dpi as target format.
Legal clarification: Inform examination office about permitted materials, involve statutes office if needed, coordinate with other instructors for parallel booklet courses.
Technical preparation: Download GitHub repository , test tool, set up LMS course with separate assignments for each week, contact in-house print shop.
First Lecture Weeks
Week 1: Explain concept, illustrate benefits, communicate rules, present realistic time investment (30-60 min. per page), emphasize quality over aesthetics.
Week 2: Teach note-taking techniques (Cornell method), show example pages, announce first submission for week 3, verify LMS access.
Week 3: Evaluate first submissions, spot-check for compliance, send reminders if needed, resolve technical issues.
Ongoing Operations
Regular tasks: Monitor submission rates, create test booklets (every 2-3 weeks), discuss sample pages with consent, show flexibility for special circumstances.
Quality assurance: Verify tool functionality, test print quality, check folder structure, conduct random checks for rule violations.
End of Semester
3 weeks before exam: Collect final submissions, download all pages, check compliance.
2 weeks before exam: Automatically assemble booklets, generate cover pages, conduct quality control.
1 week before exam: Timely printing and binding, alphabetical sorting, completeness check, prepare replacement booklets.
Common Problems and Solutions
Technical Difficulties
Problem: Tool not working, LMS submissions faulty, print quality insufficient.
Immediate measures: Check GitHub Issues , activate alternative submission methods, create test booklets early.
Prevention: Test system before semester start, brief in-house print shop in advance, plan backup scenarios.
Compliance Issues
Problem: Students submit someone else’s handwriting, screenshots instead of handwriting, late submissions accumulate.
Measures: Repeatedly emphasize handwriting requirement, conduct random checks, communicate clear consequences.
Image similarity detection: Use technical tools, flag suspicious pages, perform handwriting comparison if suspected.
Motivation and Workload Issues
Problem: Students perceive booklets as constant burden, page quality decreases, submission rates decline.
Solutions: Make workload calculation transparent, show flexibility during exam periods, share success stories, regularly emphasize benefits.
Quality promotion: Discuss sample pages, strengthen methodology training, provide individual feedback.
Organizational Challenges
Problem: Multiple booklet courses in semester, coordination problems with other instructors, student overload.
Coordination: Align submission dates, agree on staggered deadlines, develop common standards.
Resource management: Reserve printing capacity in advance, coordinate technical infrastructure.
Detailed Checklists
Before Semester Start
Organizational
- Course suitability verified (written exam)
- Page count determined (e.g., 15)
- Submission rhythm established, holiday provisions (weekly/biweekly)
- Handwriting requirement defined
- Format determined (A5, color printing, 300 dpi)
- Examination office informed if necessary
- Coordination with other instructors completed if necessary
- In-house print shop contacted and process discussed
Technical Setup
- GitHub repository downloaded
- Tool tested on own system
- LMS course set up (Moodle/Ilias)
- Separate assignments created for each submission
- Introduction slides prepared
- Example booklet created
- Note-taking technique materials compiled
Semester Start
First Sessions
- Booklet system concept explained
- Benefits and motivation clarified
- Rules documented and communicated in writing
- Time investment realistically presented (30–60 min/page)
- Note-taking techniques taught (e.g., Cornell method)
- First submission announced, e.g., for week 3
- Questions answered and uncertainties clarified
Ongoing Support
Quality Assurance
- Submission rates continuously monitored
- Test booklets created every 2–3 weeks
- Sample pages (with consent) discussed in class
- Random checks for rule violations
- Technical problems resolved promptly
- Flexibility shown for special circumstances
Exam Preparation
Booklet Creation
- All submitted pages downloaded
- Compliance of all pages verified
- Booklets automatically assembled
- Cover pages generated and formatted
- Timely printing (recommendation: 1 week before exam)
- Alphabetical sorting completed
- Replacement booklets prepared for non-registered students
Exam Administration
Exam Organization
- Booklets brought to exam
- Proctors informed about booklet rules
- Name-based assignment ensured
- No changes to booklet permitted
- Booklets collected with exams
- Archiving organized for retake exams
Quality Criteria
Content Standards
Handwriting requirement: All content must be written in one’s own handwriting – paper or tablet, no screenshots or someone else’s handwriting.
Permitted content: Direct transcriptions from slides/websites (since prohibition is difficult to enforce), cooperatively created content (only if each person writes themselves), one printed heading per page.
Not permitted: Someone else’s handwriting, screenshots, non-freehand drawn figures.
Technical Requirements
Format: Submission in any size, automatic scaling to A5 for printing at 300 dpi resolution.
Quality control: Adequate and even lighting for photos, sharp images with high contrast, image resolution at least 1771 x 2480 pixels.
Deadlines: Strict adherence to maintain equal opportunity, exceptions only with medical certificate.
Emergency Scenarios
Technical Failure
Internet/WLAN problems shortly before deadline: Define and communicate behavioral rules, deadline flexibility only with medical certificate, early information about risk of very late submission.
Tool problems: Manual booklet creation (with suitable PDF tool) as backup
Organizational Crises
Print shop failure: Have alternative print shops contacted, check own printing capacity, digital booklets as emergency solution.
Massive rule violations: Enforce clear consequences, strengthen preventive measures, ensure fairness for compliant students.
Measuring Success
Quantitative Indicators
Participation rate: e.g., more than 80% of students regularly submit pages Quality rate: less than 5% of pages must be excluded due to rule violations Exam performance: depending on task type, potentially measurable correlation between booklet creation and exam success
Qualitative Assessment
Student feedback: Positive evaluation of learning effect and stress reduction Instructor experience: Reflection and adaptation of exam tasks Institutional acceptance: Adoption by other instructors
Contact
Prof. Dr. Dominik Herrmann
Chair Privacy and Security in Information Systems
University of Bamberg, 96045 Bamberg
Chair Privacy and Security in Information Systems
University of Bamberg
96045 Bamberg
dh.psi@uni-bamberg.de | +49 951 863-2661
uni-mal-anders.de | LinkedIn
Prof. Dr. Dominik Herrmann
Chair Privacy and Security in Information Systems,
University of Bamberg, 96045 Bamberg
dh.psi@uni-bamberg.de
+49 951 863-2661
uni-mal-anders.de | LinkedIn