What Are The Benefits Of Remote Proctoring And How Is It Used In eLearning Environments?
In onsite learning, assessments typically take place in a classroom, where an educator watches learners closely during written or oral exams. With eLearning and remote working at the forefront, supervision has become harder, and individuals can easily cheat on their exams in various ways. That's why remote proctoring can be enforced to prevent cheating and malpractice during online examinations. Read on to find out more about the benefits of remote proctoring, ways in which it prevents cheating, as well as its relationship with AI.
Benefits Of Remote Proctoring
Remote proctoring offers increased security and helps institutions maintain their reputation for a valuable and fair education where every student is equal. Another benefit of this method is increased flexibility and decreased costs since learners and supervisors can join from anywhere and save on transportation and administration costs. Instead of wasting time traveling to and from a physical location, participants can join from the comfort of their homes and maybe have more time to complete their exams or tests.
Types Of Remote Proctoring
Live Online
Through live online proctoring, supervisors keep a close eye and ear on learners or professionals as they are completing their assignments. First, both parties connect to a video call, and the test taker provides the necessary identification to avoid impersonation. Then, the proctor may ask the learner to turn their camera on their desk and around their room. That is, to ensure no books or documents are anywhere near them, and no other person is around to provide help. The next step is for the supervisor to unlock the exam and let the other person complete it. During this process, the latter must keep their camera and audio-activated. If the proctor notices abnormal or suspicious behavior, they can pause or terminate the exam.
Automated
Through this method, no proctor is required to join the test takers. An automated system, usually powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), records people while they are completing their tests. These systems are trained to notice any red flags that indicate cheating. For example, they notice when someone is not always looking at their screen or hears another voice from the test taker's room. When they notice such anomalies, they mark them with question marks. Supervisors will then review the recording and pay extra attention to these moments of possible cheating.
4 Ways Remote Proctoring Prevents Cheating
Camera And Screen Monitoring
A benefit of remote proctoring is that it can prevent cheating when both the camera and screen of the test taker are monitored by a physical proctor or software. That is to ensure people are not looking at their notes or other resources online to answer questions and complete their exams. For example, an individual may leave their desk for a moment to look something up or call someone for help. However, when they are constantly monitored, they know that these types of behaviors will be flagged and probably cost them their exam or a possible new job.
Audio Detection
Similarly to video activation, audio should also be monitored during an online exam. That is because someone hidden from the camera might be giving the right answers to the test taker. The software used for remote proctoring must test someone's microphone to ensure it can capture whispers, low sounds, mumbling, and other inconsistencies. However, supervisors should keep in mind that such sensitive microphones may also mark noises like dogs barking, pencils tapping, and coughing as red flags.
Mouse Movement Analysis
If someone isn't being recorded while taking an exam and wishes to cheat, they will probably browse the internet for answers or access digital notes. This means that their mouse will move at abnormal rates that do not correspond to their test needs. With mouse movement analysis, supervisors can determine whether someone's mouse was moving more than necessary and if that translates to a cheating attempt.
Recording Exams
Often, educational institutions or companies may not have the funds to use proctoring software. In that case, they can simply record exams and interview tests and review them at a later date. This gives them the opportunity to identify any questionable or suspicious behavior that could indicate cheating. If so, they can then decide whether they will give someone a second opportunity to retake the test with live proctoring or disqualify them.
How Can Artificial Intelligence Help Remote Proctoring Prevent Cheating?
Automated software is usually powered by AI, which offers immense capabilities to educators and supervisors. Through facial recognition, object detection, and chatbots, AI remote proctoring tools help to detect cheating. First, they analyze someone's facial characteristics to ensure they match the images that have been registered for that person to prevent impersonation. Additionally, AI can be trained to detect suspicious items in someone's environment. These items may be studying material, smartphones, or even earbuds someone is wearing to receive the answers remotely. Chatbots can be incorporated to assist participants in solving any technical or practical issues. Live chats may also be added so teachers and supervisors can answer questions quickly and accurately.
Helpful Tips For Exam Takers
Remote proctoring is quite different from Zoom calls, and those supervising are not the educators that learners already know. They are third-party proctors who are impartial and trained to detect cheating attempts. So, the procedure starts with the test provider sending participants an email with all the technical requirements and instructions they must follow to sign up for certain platforms. Once these steps are completed, learners can schedule their proctored meeting. Make sure to have completed all the necessary technology and documentation checks prior to the exam. For example, the identification must be as the proctor requested, and the camera and microphone must work properly. Lastly, learners should be prepared to contact the appropriate people in case of technical issues.
Conclusion
There are various benefits to remote proctoring, such as offering a secure and dependable solution to online learning and training. However, it still has challenges that organizations and institutions must take into serious consideration. For example, even though technology is deeply integrated into our lives, not everyone owns a computer with a functioning camera and microphone. So, before introducing this method to people, leading figures must be able to provide technological tools and assistance to those not possessing the necessary equipment. We hope this article has helped you understand what remote proctoring is as well as prepared you for your next online exam or interview.
