Digital education continues to gain momentum in modern schools. As more aspects of learning shift online, one thing remains the same: the need for fair, closed-book assessments. However, unable to stroll around the classroom to monitor exams, instructors are concerned about the risks involved in digital assessments, particularly when it comes to cheating.
Fairness and security are primary components of online testing. However, the difficulty of monitoring test-takers’ activity in remote environments jeopardizes these priorities. Luckily, advanced online proctoring platforms — including student facing security tools — enable proactive student supervision for a secure test taking experience at home.
How Does Online Proctoring Address Academic Integrity?
AI-powered proctoring tools add a layer of protection to online testing. These tools can help to prevent cheating on online tests by detecting cheating attempts or identifying continuing patterns of suspicious behavior.
An important note: while this technology helps to prevent cheating on online tests by monitoring students’ activity and flagging suspicious or irregular behavior, the ultimate course of action is determined by the instructor. This adds a human component to the technology to eliminate errors.
Institutions leveraging online proctoring solutions can reap the following benefits:
- Safely track student activity based on preset proctoring parameters
- Controlled testing sessions preventing internet navigations
- Detailed reporting on each test-taker’s activity throughout a test
- Insight into any suspicious student activity or general trends
- Better learning outcomes for all test takers in a fair academic environment
Beyond the technological benefits, online proctoring offers direct benefits to educators by saving time and reducing workload. In fact, some educational professionals view online proctoring as more effective than its face-to-face counterpart; instead of a single human proctor observing an entire classroom, technology monitors students on an individual basis. This is not only more cost effective, but also removes bias, as AI can focus on all test takers at once, is impartial and not prejudicial
Security Tools in Online Proctoring Platforms
How does an online proctoring platform help to prevent cheating on online tests? Advanced proctoring solutions leverage various AI-powered technologies and student facing security tools to equip institutions for a dependable assessment experience. Let’s explore some of the most popular tools below.
Identity Verification
Upon entry of the exam, students must undergo either automatic or live identify verification. Using multi-factor authentication, facial detection technology and live ID verification, this tool compares a student’s face against an ID before he or she can take the exam.
Secure Video Proctoring
Live video proctoring allows instructors to monitor student activity throughout the course of the exam. This tool uses advanced AI algorithms along with live video and audio capabilities to offer secure, real-time proctoring. Advanced features include a 360-degree room scanning option.
Lockdown Browsers
The lockdown browser tool ensures exam integrity by restricting internet browsing, mobile device use, screen captures, printing or sharing. Some advanced security tools also prevent distribution, copying, printing and downloading, in addition to avoiding plagiarism through online resource matching.
Report Dashboards
Comprehensive report dashboards provide instant, objective data imminently after every assessment. The report includes parameters set by instructors or administrators, along with customizable grade books and aggregate exam data throughout the course or school year.
Originality Verification
For an extra layer of security against plagiarism, online proctoring tools verify originality upon submission of the assessment. Key security features include catching symbols, images and characters that may appear elsewhere online; this also includes source link identification and an overall similarity score to external resources.
These proctoring tools, among many others, enable an online testing environment that’s secure, reliable and dependable, no matter the location of the student. To explore a completely secure online proctoring solution that enables these capabilities, check out Proctorio — a platform that easily integrates with TAO’s digital assessment platform.
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Preventing cheating on online tests is as much of a priority for online environments as it is for traditional face-to-face instruction. Luckily, advanced proctoring tools can fully support this mission. With state-of-the-art AI, facial detection technology and a large variety of automated software, these tools can support academic integrity in digital assessments while maintaining students’ privacy.
To learn more about how to implement an effective remote learning environment, read our blog post on 3 Features of a Modern Remote Online Proctoring Platform.
