Understanding Viva Voce
Viva voce, a Latin term meaning ‘with the living voice,’ is commonly used in academia to refer to an oral examination or interview conducted to assess a student’s knowledge on a specific subject matter. It is an interactive way for educators to gauge a student’s understanding, critical thinking skills, and ability to articulate their thoughts.
Purpose of Viva Voce
Viva voce examinations serve multiple purposes, including:
- Evaluating the depth of a student’s knowledge
- Assessing the student’s ability to apply concepts to real-life scenarios
- Testing the student’s communication and presentation skills
Examples of Viva Voce
During a viva voce session, students may be asked to explain their research findings, defend their thesis statement, or engage in a dialogue with examiners on various topics related to their field of study.
Case Studies
In a study on viva voce examinations in medical education, it was found that students who underwent viva voce assessments demonstrated a better retention of knowledge and higher performance levels compared to those who only took written exams.
Statistics on Viva Voce
According to a survey conducted among university professors, 85% of educators believe that viva voce examinations are an effective way to evaluate student learning outcomes.