In education, the exam has always been the moment of truth, the crucible where knowledge is proved and futures are decided. From ancient Greek oral exams to modern multiple choice tests, the exam has changed with the times. But the core principle remains: fairness, integrity, accountability. Today as we live in the digital age this principle faces a new challenge: how do we keep the exam sacred in a world where information is a click away and privacy is a concern? The answer is in online proctoring.
A recent survey found 80% of students think it’s easier to cheat in online exams than in person exams. Remote learning has brought with it a rise in academic dishonesty and education’s integrity is at risk. As online classrooms become more common the need for online proctoring solutions such as SMOWL has never been greater.
What is Online Proctoring?
Online proctoring is a tech solution that allows for remote supervision of exams. It uses various tools and techniques to monitor students during an exam and prevent cheating. Online proctoring can range from simple webcam monitoring to more advanced AI-powered solutions that can detect suspicious behavior.
Benefits of Online Proctoring
Online proctoring has benefits for both students and educational institutions. Here are some of the perks:
- Fairness and Honesty: Online proctoring ensures fairness and honesty in exams by preventing cheating and making sure all students play by the same rules.
- Convenience and Access: Online proctoring lets students take exams from anywhere with an internet connection, so it’s more convenient and accessible for students who can’t attend in-person exams.
- Cost Savings: Online proctoring is more cost-effective than traditional proctoring methods as it eliminates the need for physical exam centers and proctors.
- Time Savings: Online proctoring streamlines the exam process, reducing time and resources needed to conduct exams.
Types of Online Proctoring
There are several types of online proctoring systems out there, each with its own features and capabilities. Here are the most common:
- Automated Proctoring: This uses AI-powered algorithms to analyze student behavior and detect suspicious activity.
- Live Proctoring: Live proctoring has a human proctor monitoring students in real time.
- Hybrid Proctoring: Hybrid proctoring combines automated and live proctoring.
Key Features of Online Proctoring Systems
Online proctoring systems have many features to prevent cheating and ensure exam integrity. Here are some of the key features to look for:
- Webcam: Proctors can see what the student is doing during the exam.
- Screen Recording: Screen recording captures everything on the student’s screen, including any cheating.
- Audio: Audio can detect suspicious noises or conversations that indicate cheating.
- Keystroke: Keystroke logging records every keystroke the student types, to detect cheating or plagiarism.
- Browser Lockdown: Browser lockdown prevents the student from accessing unauthorized websites or applications during the exam.
Challenges and Limitations of Online Proctoring
Online proctoring has its benefits but not without challenges and limitations. Some of the drawbacks are:
- Technical Issues: Students may experience technical issues during the exam.
- Privacy: Some students may have privacy concerns being monitored during the exam.
- Cheating Methods: Cheaters can find ways to bypass online proctoring.
Best Practices for Online Proctoring
- Communicate Clearly: Communicate online proctoring requirements to students before the exam.
- Test the System: Have students test the online proctoring system before the exam.
- Technical Support: Provide technical support to students who have issues during the exam.
- Multiple Layers of Security: Use multiple layers of security to make it harder for students to cheat.
- Review Results: Review results carefully to detect cheating.
Human-AI Symbiosis: A New Era of Online Proctoring
Traditional proctoring methods, with human proctors, can be time consuming, resource heavy and prone to human error. That’s where AI can make a big difference. By automating many of the mundane tasks of proctoring, AI can free up human proctors to focus on the complex and nuanced.
AI’s Role in Online Proctoring
- Automating Routine Tasks: AI can automate tasks such as identifying suspicious behavior, flagging anomalies and verifying student identity. This frees up human proctors to focus on more important tasks such as supporting students or complex cases.
- Securing: AI powered proctoring can use facial recognition and other biometric technologies to verify student identity and prevent cheating. This keeps online exams and assessments secure.
- Efficiency: By automating many of the tasks of proctoring, AI can improve efficiency and reduce costs. This makes online proctoring more accessible to more students and institutions.
- Personalized Support: AI can be used to provide personalized support to students. For example AI powered chatbots can answer student questions and help with technical issues.
Why AI in Online Proctoring
- Fairness and Equity: AI proctoring ensures all students are treated fairly and equally. By automating many of the proctoring tasks, AI removes human bias and gives all students an equal chance to succeed.
- Student Experience: AI helps student experience by providing personalized support and making proctoring more efficient. Reduces stress and anxiety for students taking online exams.
- Cost-Effective: AI is a cost effective solution for online proctoring. By automating many of the proctoring tasks, AI reduces the need for human proctors and saves institutions money.
- Scalability: AI proctoring systems can scale to meet the needs of growing institutions. Good for large universities and online learning platforms.
End note
Online learning has changed education, brought flexibility and accessibility. But it has also raised questions about academic integrity when there’s no in-person proctoring. The debate about online proctoring has been going on for years with both sides having strong arguments.
One of the common complaints is that online proctoring software is ineffective in preventing cheating. Many students have found ways to beat the system, from using multiple devices to having someone take the exam for them. As one Reddit user said, “Proctoring software is a joke. Everyone knows this. It’s like taking your shoes off at the airport. It’s performative.”
And the move to fully online assessments has raised questions about fairness and reliability. Some say that without in-person proctoring, some students are disadvantaged especially those who have limited access to technology or struggle with online exams.
But we must admit that online proctoring can serve a purpose. When done right, it can maintain academic integrity and ensure students are being evaluated fairly.
