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A startup idea: "exam machines". An low cost/ancient laptop with locked-down software and special cloud service. They provide a way to write a text and submit i
by theamk 1y ago
A startup idea: "exam machines". An low cost/ancient laptop with locked-down software and special cloud service. They provide a way to write a text and submit it, maybe also reference or spellcheck or calculator (if teacher enables), but nothing else, in particular no access to websites like ChatGPT. Teacher (or proctor) hands them out in class during exams, and oversees the use to make sure no one is using ChatGPT on their phone or something.
This will allow teachers to grade the works without having to read students' handwriting.
Yes, many HN readers would be able to make something like this with the right application of security policies. But many non-CS teachers could not, and I am sure some of them would be happy to pay a bit to smooth out exam process.
- amy214 1y agoThis business model will have its lunch eaten by the software stack that claims immunity to hacks, but can still run on the students' hardware, thus massively changing the cost and logistics landscape. Now the student has to manage it. Of course it's true, the student-owned laptop may in theory always be modded to bypass any software stack. But in practice, the software stack has a huge edge. Any remaining lunch to be eaten, whereby one is insistent that this testing be performed on non-student hardware, can be had by the university computer lab.