Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many students around the world have adopted remote learning as the standard method of instruction. While there are many advantages to online learning, one of the difficulties that teachers encounter is preventing cheating on exams. Students that participate in remote learning are not physically present in a classroom, which makes it simpler for them to cheat. Online proctoring has, however, become a viable option to lessen this difficulty. We will look at how online proctoring helps stop cheating in distance learning in this post.
Cheating may be stopped in distance learning situations via online proctoring. With the popularity of remote learning, it is more crucial than ever for instructors to make sure that exams are administered honestly and equitably. Identity verification, AI algorithms, browser lockdowns, and the deterrent impact are just a few of the advantages that online proctoring has for combating cheating.
What exactly is online censorship?
During a test or assessment, teachers can keep an eye on their students’ behaviour by using online proctoring. Webcams, microphones, and screen sharing are used during the proctoring procedure to make sure that students are adhering to the exam’s requirements and not cheating.
Controlling, stifling, or regulating information that is conveyed or accessible online is referred to as online censorship. Online censorship may take many various shapes, including blocking or filtering content, shutting down websites or social media accounts, monitoring what users are doing online, and punishing individuals who violate the rules or regulations controlling online censorship.
How AI Algorithms Can Help to Prevent Fraud in Remote Learning?
AI algorithms are yet another way that online proctoring may stop cheating. AI algorithms are used by remote proctoring systems like ProctorU and Examity to assess how students behave during exams. They are able to identify whether a student is looking away from the screen or typing on a keyboard while taking the test. The teacher is notified if the algorithms see any unusual activity, and they may check the exam footage to see if the student cheated.
Using browser lockdowns, online proctoring can also stop cheating. Browser lockdowns are technologies that limit students’ use of the internet and other programs while they are taking a test. Students are prevented from accessing notes or other materials that may be used to cheat through browser lockdowns. A browser lockout can be put up by instructors to stop students from opening new tabs or windows while taking an exam. By doing this, students are prevented from looking up answers online or chatting with classmates while taking the test.
How can online proctoring prevent cheating and support students’ academic integrity?
By combining technology and human oversight, online proctoring may stop cheating and promote academic integrity. By making sure that students are watched throughout tests and by employing AI algorithms to spot odd activity or behaviour, it may catch and discourage cheating. Knowing that their actions are being observed reduces the likelihood of students trying to cheat and increases the likelihood that they will focus on their academics. Additionally, online proctoring protects academic integrity by promoting honesty and accountability, creates a fair and equal testing environment, and confirms that students are who they say they are.
What are drawbacks of online proctoring?
The constraints of online proctoring should also be taken into account by teachers. One of the problems of online proctoring is that it might be invasive and violate students’ privacy. For instance, employing cameras and microphones while taking the test can make some students uncomfortable, which could affect how well they do. To ease this concern, teachers can explain the proctoring process to their students and assure them that their privacy would be respected.
Online proctoring has another drawback in that not all types of cheating may be caught by it. Some students can figure out a means to get around the proctoring procedure by utilising a second device or having someone else take the test in their place. Therefore, instructors should use online proctoring as one of many strategies to deter cheating, such as creating tests that are challenging to cheat on and promoting academic honesty among students.
Online proctoring has various drawbacks that educators should be aware of despite its advantages. For instance, proctoring exams online may be intrusive and violate students’ privacy.
Conclusion
An efficient technique to stop cheating in remote learning is through online proctoring. Online proctoring may assist instructors to make sure that students are taking tests fairly and honestly by employing identity verification, AI algorithms, browser lockdowns, and a deterrent impact. To encourage academic integrity in their classes, teachers should employ online proctoring, but they should also be cognizant of its drawbacks and use it in conjunction with other strategies. In order to ensure academic integrity in their courses, teachers should be aware of the limits of online proctoring and utilise it in conjunction with other strategies. Online proctoring may aid in ensuring that distance learning continues to be a fair and equal educational experience for all students with careful planning and effective implementation.
In remote learning contexts, Mercer | Mettl is crucial in combating cheating. Their platform offers a number of features and tools that support ensuring that students are taking exams honestly and fairly. In distance learning situations, teachers may support academic integrity and preserve the validity of their assessments by using Mercer | Mettl’s online proctoring technology. An online assessment and proctoring software called Mercer | Mettl offers a number of tools and features to deter cheating in distance learning settings. For teachers and students, their platform offers a variety of advantages, such as identity verification, browser lockdowns, AI algorithms, and live proctoring. Live proctoring, which involves a human proctor watching the test in real-time, is another service provided by Mercer | Mettl. An extra degree of protection offered by live proctoring can aid in discouraging students from trying to cheat on the test. In addition, the proctor has the right to step in if they notice any questionable conduct taking place throughout the exam.
