Educate, Excite, EngageTest and Examination Security Technology
Section snippets
Why the Need for Examination Security?
Maintaining examination security is important for schools, faculty, and students. Schools need to ensure credibility and valid outcome data. Faculty need to protect their examinations because it would be a shame to create an examination and then not be able to use it again because of academic dishonesty. For students, examination security deters cheating and builds confidence in the assessment process (Hylton, Levy, & Dringus, 2016). The best tactical strategies are ones that prevent cheating
Password Protection
The first line of examination security is the student logging into the online learning management system (LMS) or testing software. Passwords should be changed often and have a certain level of complexity. The next step is setting a password for the specific examination. This second password is only available to the student from the proctor. For instance, once all the students are seated in the computer laboratory and have logged into the LMS, the proctor will write the examination password on
Examination Randomization
Examinations and quizzes cheating can be deterred by randomization in multiple ways. The most basic form of randomization is programming the LMS or testing software to deliver the same set of questions in a random order to each student. Therefore, question 32 for one student may be question 5 for another student. This type of randomization deters students who are sitting next to each other from looking at the other's screen. Letting the students know this format is used and helps them focus on
Screen/Browser Lock Down
A lockdown browser is a type of software that secures the examination, browser, and computer. When activated, if a person tries to copy, cut, paste, print, search the Web, screen capture, or view another application, the examination will shut off or logout. If this occurs, a proctor with authorization will need to reactivate the student's examination, for example, a student is taking an online examination and tries to copy a block of text for the purpose of emailing another student. When they
Webcam-Based Proctoring
Use of video technology can help discourage and, when needed, confirm or refute suspicion of cheating. Use of simple webcams can be that deterrent or give needed images and videos (Hylton et al., 2016). For example, Examity is a proctoring service that requires each student to have a webcam. This service will have the student pick up the camera and show the online proctor the entire testing environment and underneath the desk and chair. The testing session is then recorded. If the proctor notes
Pattern Recognition
Another part of the Examity service is that the tester's typing patterns are analyzed and then used as a basis to verify identity. They note that each person types in a different way. If the tester's typing pattern does not match the expected pattern, a variance is noted, and further investigation is initiated. Some equate this to a handwriting analysis.
Personal Information Verification
One strategy implemented in online examinations includes verifying some type of personal information. At the beginning of the term or semester, the student is asked a series of questions to include favorite color/food, father's middle name, and other types of personal information. These questions are then integrated into the examination and then graded based on each individual student's profile. In most situations, these questions are embedded in the middle of the examination and responses
Biometric Verification
Some examinations require verification of certain biometric information. For instance, the National Council Licensure Examination requires a scan of the tester's palm veins. Other testing centers and software require a fingerprint scan/capture. There are also software programs that monitor the eyes of the tester to see if there are patterns that indicate that they are reading or analyzing something other than the examination. Photographs of the tester are also used as a form of identification (
Policy for Prevention and Success
Ultimately, a policy-driven process is a school's most important step when it comes to preventing and properly responding to cheating on examinations (Moten et al., 2013). This policy should be developed by and agreed upon among the faculty to promote adherence. Here are some basic components that should be considered for the policy.
1. The purpose of the policy and definition of cheating/violating that policy is important as many students truly do not fully understand academic dishonesty. This
Conclusion
Using online examination and testing software brings many opportunities for cheating not found in paper and scantron examinations. However, with a bit of foresight, collaboration with others, and educating of students, there are many opportunities to improve examination security with online tools and policy. As with any project, the faculty group should consistently revisit some of the key principles provided here to help all involved with improving and maintaining examination security. Walking
References (3)
- et al.
Utilizing webcam-based proctoring to deter misconduct in online exams
Computers & Education
(2016)