Proctoring Online Quizzes and Exams

Having students take quizzes and exams online offers several questions regarding the validity of the exams and verification as to who is taking them.  

The proctoring of exams is a choice made by faculty whether in their Face-to-Face or Online class.  The choice of how a faculty member would like to proctor their exams is the choice of the faculty.  Proctoring software allows the faculty to monitor the test taker without the need to be live and in person (Face-to-Face).  Some faculty have chosen to use proctoring software in their Face-to-Face classes while on-campus, to take advantage of some of the features of this software.  Optional features of proctoring software include:

  • Locking down the computer so the student cannot go to another website
  • Recording what the student tries to do on their screen while taking the exam
  • Recording video and audio of the student while taking the exam
  • Locking down the computer so the student can only see one screen
  • Locking their browser so the student cannot open another program or browser tab
  • Video only available to faculty – No one else sees the video
    • If there is a question, faculty can ask for assistance of Instructional Technologist
    • No one at IVC nor SOCCCD has access to the videos except the specific faculty and, at their request, the Instructional Technologist
  • Stops when student exits quiz, submits quiz, or shuts off proctoring system
  • Option for allowing student back into quiz based on faculty’s choice
  • Most proctoring software includes approximately 5 years of history in case of grievance, again not accessible without direct access to the course as outlined above.

History

Since February 2017, Irvine Valley College (IVC) has used software to proctor online quizzes and exams.  The specific software IVC has used is Proctorio. proctorio_logo_and_text_color_on_white_bkg.png

Proctorio is used for locking down the browser so students cannot go to other websites as well as monitoring students while taking the exam.  This monitoring is based on the settings selected by the faculty member who is giving the exam.

Proctorio’s customizable secure exam settings, recording options, and ID verification allow instructors to set-up unscheduled, on-demand proctoring specific to their assessment needs. The flexible settings may be used on all assessment types for consistency and security throughout the semester. Proctorio ensures fairness for test-takers by increasing accountability, securing exam content, and promoting a culture of academic integrity while improving learning outcomes.

Here is a marketing handout from Proctorio: proctorio_handout_1sided.pdf

To setup Proctorio in your course, follow these steps:

  1. Contact the IVC Instructional Technologist at 949-451-5716 or the link on the right.
  2. Setup Proctorio in your quizzes according to the instructions in this handout: proctorio_activate_in_canvas.pdf

For an overview of how to use Proctorio, please see Proctoro Overview.

As always, if you have questions or students have issues, please contact the Instructional Technologist.

 

Here are some questions and statements that have been 

 

What types of options are available through Proctoring Software

The main settings offered by proctoring software, especially Proctorio are: Recording: • Video • Audio • Screen • Web Traffic • Room Lock Down Options • Full Screen for browser • Only one screen • No New Tabs • Close Open Tabs • Disable Printing • Disable Clipboard • Block Downloads • Clear Cache • Disable Right Click • Re-Entry options (No re-entry, with an agent, or allow re-entry) Verification Options • Verify Video • Verify Audio • Verify Desktop • Automatic ID Check • Verify Signature • Verify Login for outside software

Facial Recognition Tech is controversial & imperfect

Proctorio does not use facial recognition. Proctorio takes a picture of the student and a picture of the ID a student shows. The faculty member is then able to see the pictures beside each other and make their own determination as to whether or not it is the same person.

Student Surveillance & Monitoring is controversial

The only time a student is monitored is while they are taking the quiz/exam/test. The student also is aware of it before it happens and while it is happening, the student sees what is being recorded with a window on their screen. As the student enters the exam, they go through a series of steps which explain what will be recorded, verify those components will work, and makes suggestions like having the student go to the restroom before starting the exam.

Use of Proctorio prioritizes the myth or truth of student cheating over the invasion of student privacy

It is the decision of the faculty whether or not they choose to use proctoring software like Proctorio. When a student shows up for an exam in a Face-to-Face environment, best practices include: • Requesting ID verification before student receives exam • Having student put away anything that is not needed to take the exam (Books, Phone, Calculator, etc.) • Not allowing students to get up from the exam to leave the room • Teacher stays in the room with the students • Teacher watches students for evidence of cheating (looking at other student’s work, talking, moving around, etc.) Depending on how the faculty sets up Proctorio, it does the same thing in an online environment.

Proctorio causes students anxiety

Work has been done with DSPS to help with reducing anxiety. Students have a video they can watch which demonstrates the student perspective of Proctorio then shows that same session from the teacher/faculty member’s perspective. Best Practices for using proctoring software include: • Include notice of the use of proctoring software in the Course Syllabus • Have early (first week of class) Practice Quiz using the proctoring software settings expected o No points o Unlimited attempts • Work with students to fix issues before test time • Notify students before exams that proctoring software will be used o Proctorio puts “(Remotely Proctored)” behind each quiz/exam to ensure students know If students have issues, faculty can share with them the video mentioned above

Proctorio installed on a computer after the exam has finished

The student and faculty can remove the Proctorio Chrome Extension at any time after completing the quiz or exam. It can also be disabled. Once either disabled or removed, the extension must be re-installed or enabled before it can be used again.

Proctorio monitors the student’s computer after the exam has completed

This is not true. While taking an exam, the student sees exactly what is being recorded in a window in the upper left part of the screen, including a time-delay video. When the exam is submitted, monitoring stops.

If a student moves too much they get kicked out of the quiz

Students get removed from the quiz in these specific cases: • Student closes Proctorio • Student attempts to close their browser • Student has Internet issues that disconnect them • Student attempts to open another program or website unless the teacher has allowed this Students do not get removed from the quiz in these cases. They may be flagged as potential cheating, but will not be removed • Too much movement (will be flagged) • Looking away from the screen (actually analytics are used to determine if they do not look away enough as a flag) • Talking while taking the exam (will be flagged) • Leaving so there is only a chair visible in the recording (will be flagged) • Someone else shows up in the screen (will be flagged) • Drinking water while taking the exam Flags are generated based on a comparison with the rest of the class. For instance students looking away during an open book class will have fewer flags, or can even be set to have no flags, because the whole class is looking away at their books.

DSPS Students must take a different exam in order to have additional time

Students who require extra time or other accommodations can be handled through the Canvas portion of the exam. There are Proctorio settings that will make it easier for a student who needs a screen reader, however extending time, giving a different due date, and any of the other issues that have been brought up have all been able to be resolved.

Students must have a webcam to use Proctorio

If the faculty member chooses to record Audio and Video, a webcam would be required. This is the choice of the faculty member.