protect academic integrity in online exam environments without sacrificing student convenience

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Protect Academic Integrity in Online Exam Environments without

Sacrificing Student Convenience

18th Annual Sloan Consortium International Conference on Online Learning

October 11th, 2012

Presented by Software Secure

Mark Musacchio Business Development Manager

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Secure Testing. Anytime. Anywhere.

Agenda

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Session Background Introduction to Software Secure

I. The Integrity Challenge for Distance Learning II. Case Study Examples:

University of West Alabama| University of North Alabama | Ohio University

III. Technology Solutions – How they work IV. Building a Roadmap – What to do next? V. Discussion | Q & A

Session Background Current Situation:

Online test integrity and student authentication issues can halt the expansion of an institution’s online program and potentially threaten its accreditation status.

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Let’s look at how several institutions are leveraging online exam proctoring technology to provide anytime – anywhere test-taking convenience while assuring exam integrity.

About Software Secure

Software Secure Founded 1999 HQ in Newton, Massachusetts (www.softwaresecure.com)

Solutions for secure, convenient and scalable exam integrity wherever or whenever exams are administered - with different robust security models for variable kinds of computer-based exam.

Solutions for Higher Education & Certification Organizations - Classroom and Distance Learning Environments - Assures integrity of test conditions with patented technology - Authenticates student ID with biometrics and proprietary monitoring system - End-to-end exam administration services

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I. THE INTEGRITY CHALLENGE FOR DISTANCE LEARNING

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Authentication - how do you make sure a student is who they say they are?

Security - how do you make sure students are taking exams honestly?

Convenience - how do you offer flexible and secure options?

Cost - how do you make all of the above fit your institution’s (or the student’s) bottom line?

Online Challenges

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If it’s Online, is it Cheating? “A study last year by two psychology professors from the University of Ohio at Zanesville found that 72 % of students taking online courses admitted cheating on their tests.”

Miami Herald, October 2012

A for (someone else’s) Effort?

II. 3 CASE STUDY EXAMPLES:

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University of West Alabama

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Program Type: Higher Education – Distance Learning Programs

Objective: Protect exam integrity, offer student convenience

Challenge: Difficulty managing the proctoring processes for online students, evidence of student cheating

Proctoring Before: On-campus testing centers, 3rd party proctors

Solution: Remote Proctor PRO

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UWA Leverages Remote Proctor PRO to Offer Campus-wide Online Proctoring

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Challenge:

UWA implemented Remote Proctor PRO to offer students a more convenient way to take tests, assuring a level playing field and protecting the academic integrity of its online programs. Started with a small pilot, then rolled out program across all online programs.

Results: Convenience - enable students to pursue secondary education. Faculty and students satisfied that cheating isn't occurring Positive feedback from faculty, students and IT Competitive advantage with new markets opened up to UWA. Increased customer/student satisfaction

University of North Alabama

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Program Type: Higher Education

Objective: Provide a secure & convenient exam option

Challenge: Authenticating student ID, stopping cheating

Proctoring Before: Testing Centers, Students Select Proctors

Solution: Remote Proctor NOW

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UNA Offers Remote Proctor NOW to Students for Secure and Flexible Online Proctoring

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Challenge: UNA wanted to offer its faculty and students a more convenient and secure way to administer and take online exams with integrity. In the past, online learners had two options for taking tests – finding proctors or going to a test centers. These methods were time-consuming, costly and inconvenient for students. They also exposed the potential for cheating as remote proctors could not always be adequately verified by the school.

Results: Caught several incidences of cheating Increased student satisfaction – saving them money Faculty members confident that assessment instrument is secure/protected UNA is investigating the possibility of using RP NOW campus-wide.

Ohio University

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Program Type: Higher Education – Graduate Program

Objective: Offer convenient and secure online testing

Challenge: Protect Exam Integrity, Offer flexible offering

Proctoring Before: Testing Centers, Drive to campus

Solution: Remote Proctor PRO & NOW

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OU Deploys Remote Proctor to Provide a Level Playing Field & Protect Exam Integrity

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Challenge:

A new online program was being launched in the Engineering Management Department. Department Director wanted to ensure that integrity practices were integrated into the program’s rollout from the beginning. Ohio University had experienced some challenges in the past with academic dishonesty and the engineering department wanted to ensure it was diligent about implementing technology that would secure online assessments

Results: After about a year of usage, the technology has been successful in providing a level playing field in the online program has been deemed to bring instances of cheating down to near zero. The Department Director feels the legitimacy of the credentials earned by students is now safeguarded.

Time Savings: “This has saved me an hour’s drive to a testing center.” “This opportunity allowed me to stay home with my sick mother rather than hiring a nurse to care for her while I drove to campus to take the exam.”

Ease of Use: “The proctor software seems to work well and is very convenient for taking tests online.” “Can log in to my test in under 5 minutes - anyone with basic knowledge of computer systems can easily access the program with instructions and practice.”

Privacy: “ Remote Proctor is not intrusive” “Convenience of remote proctoring outweighs my concern about being monitored.”

Cost: “I’ve saved on babysitting fees and parking by being able to take the test from my house.” “I have had to pay up to $50 to take tests at a test center, and leave work early. With this system, I’ve simplified my test taking, and saved money.”

Students who demand flexibility are grateful for the Remote Proctor option . . .

Student Feedback

III. TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS: HOW THEY WORK

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Online Exam Proctoring Solutions

On-demand solution for distance learning exams - proctored by computer and

webcam, authenticating the ID of online students.

Gold-standard proprietary hardware and software solution that delivers total

security for self-service examinations and prevents cheating.

Digital solutions that assure true exam integrity for all distance learning exams.

Remote Proctor PRO – Total Exam Security Addresses every area of exam security by authenticating his/her identity and controlling a student's computer while watching and listening to the exam environment.

Integrated Hardware & Software Components:

Remote Proctor Pro : Hardware device that uses biometrics to authenticate the identity of the test-taker, records all sound, and videos a 360-degree view of the exam environment. Securexam : Patented software which provides access to computer-based exams while simultaneously locking down the desktop by preventing access to all other non-examination materials or applications

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Remote Proctor NOW – Anytime. On-Demand.

Utilizes existing webcam and microphone that test-taker already owns- they can be taking a test in less than three minutes!

Records webcam view, audio and desktop to ensure compliant exam conditions

No need to schedule time or rely on a proctor’s schedule to take a test

Cost effective method to provide remote test proctoring all for about $15 per exam

Each test is reviewed by multiple certified review specialists to catalog exam policy violations

Can work with any test delivery system

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IV. BUILDING THE ROADMAP WHAT TO DO NEXT

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The Pathway to Online Integrity

• Step 1: Explicitly state expectations

• Step 2: Reinforce ethical climate with prevention.

• Step 3: Be consistent and follow through with consequences.

• Step 4: Utilize assessment design. • Step 5: Create a learning

environment that minimizes cheating opportunities.

McNabb and Olmstead (2009) Journal of Online Learning and Teaching Vol. 5, No. 2 Hulsart and McCarthy (2011) The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 59:92–96

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Balancing Priorities

Login/ID password, scheduled location

Login/ID, Password, anytime,

anywhere

Security

Conv

enie

nce

Cost

Low

High

Remote Proctor NOW, Anytime,

anywhere

Remote Proctor NOW

Scheduled location

Remote Proctor PRO, scheduled

location

Remote Proctor PRO

Anytime, anywhere

Why Software Secure?

More convenient No need for students to schedule a proctor - On

demand testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week More affordable On average 40% cheaper than other proctoring

technologies More secure Exams are reviewed on a 1:1 basis and we have

complete video and audio records of exam experience

Customers using Remote Proctor today

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VI. QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION

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For more information, please contact: Software Secure Sales Inquiries

sales@softwaresecure.com | (617) 340-6381

Follow us: @Software_Secure

Secure Testing. Anytime. Anywhere.

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