The University of West Alabama, Frontier Nursing University and The University of North Alabama have made a substantial commitment and investment in technology that has allowed them to grow their distance learning offerings. As a result, they have seen a reduction in online cheating, improved customer satisfaction and ultimately are assured that their institution’s academic integrity is preserved. But having the right technology solution to enable easy, reliable and secure, remote testing is only the first step – having the right strategy in place is critical to ensuring success.
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How our Students Take Exams at a Distance: University of West Alabama, Frontier Nursing University and University of North Alabama
1. How our Students Take Exams at a Distance
University of West Alabama, Frontier Nursing University and
University of North Alabama
Sept. 26, 2012
Moderated by Matt Villano
Senior contributing editor
Campus Technology
Sponsored by:
2. About this Webcast
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3. Our Agenda
• Introduction, Matt Villano, Contributing Editor – CT
• How Our Students Take Exams From a Distance
• Campus Perspectives – Case Studies:
- University of West Alabama, M. Pratt, Dir. Office of IT
- Frontier Nursing University, P. Stackhouse, Dir. of IT
- University of North Alabama, J. McGee, Coord. of Academic
Technology
• Software Secure
• Roundtable Discussion
• Ask the Experts | Q & A with panel
• Final Remarks/Close
4. Today’s presenters
Mike Pratt, Director of Information Technology, University of
West Alabama
Paul Stackhouse, Director of IT, Frontier Nursing University
John McGee, Coordinator of Education Technology,
University of North Alabama
Brendan Bellefeuille, Business Development, Software
Secure
Matt Villano, senior contributing editor, Campus Technology
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6. Today’s sponsor
Software Secure
www.softwaresecure.com
Software Secure is a provider of secure and cost-effective
computer-based testing solutions for traditional and
distance learning environments in higher education, K-12
and certification organizations.
With a suite of products that provide robust authentication
and security, institutions can now achieve secure,
convenient and scalable exam integrity wherever or
whenever exams are administered.
7. Challenges for Online Programs
“What is your biggest challenge in online learning?”
Source: 6.21 Campus Technology Webinar Respondents
8. Cheating today
• Despite what you might want to think about student
integrity, cheating is alive and well in higher education
today.
• Recent study by Jeffrey A. Roberts and David M.
Wasieleski at Duquesne University found that the
more online tools that college students were allowed
to use to complete an assignment, the more likely they
were to copy the work of others.
• August report that cheating even happens at Harvard.
– Take-home exam
– 279 students
9. Students Cheating in Online Classes
Source: http://ansonalex.com/infographics/students-cheating-in-online-classes-statistics-infographic/
10. Cheating today
• How does it happen?
– The vast library of digital information, instantly and readily available
for use by all students does mean that students require a clearer
practical understanding of what is cheating.
– Also, there is a culture of cheating: Howard Gardner, a professor at
the Harvard Graduate School of Education, said that over the 20
years he has studied professional and academic integrity, “the
ethical muscles have atrophied,” in part because of a culture that
exalts success, however it is attained.
• Viable solutions?
– Honor code to educate students about what is/is not cheating.
– Proctoring, to ensure that students apply these lessons in real life.
11. Integrity Protection Today
“How are you proctoring your online examinations?”
36%
41% Human
Technology
Assessment Design
None
9% 14%
Source: 6.21.2012 Campus Technology Webinar Respondents
12. Mike Pratt
Director of IT, University of West Alabama
Moderated by Matt Villano
Senior contributing editor
Campus Technology
Sponsored by:
13. UWA: Solution Overview
• Based in Livingston, Ala.
• Institution founded in 1835. First online programs
offered in 2002.
• More than 3,000 students per year online.
• Offer roughly 30 degrees (graduate and
undergraduate).
• Online programs are offered strictly online; no campus
component whatsoever.
– Professors, students all over the country.
• Institution utilizes Blackboard LMS.
14. UWA: Solution Overview
• First went live with online exams, we had an honor
system.
– No way of determining if students were cheating.
– Turns out some of them probably were.
• In 2008, we implemented a Remote Proctoring
Solution from Software Secure.
• Since then, some students still try to cheat.
• Inform and educate students regarding academic
integrity.
• Have policies and procedures in place to handle
academic integrity issues.
15. UWA: Lessons Learned
• Biggest myth of all time: Students aren’t going to cheat.
– They will. Even with remote proctoring in place.
– Busy schedules drive students to cheat.
• Initial student concerns regarding privacy were overcome.
– The convenience of remote proctoring outweighed the concern of being
monitored (in their homes)
– We’re only monitoring the exam-taking environment, and for a finite
period.
– Gradually, students got more comfortable with the technology.
• Having a system does help.
– Simply having remote proctoring is a deterrent for cheaters.
16. Paul Stackhouse
IT director, Frontier Nursing University
Moderated by Matt Villano
Senior contributing editor
Campus Technology
Sponsored by:
17. FNU: Solution Overview
• Based in Hyden, KY
• Institution founded in 1939.
• The birthplace of nurse midwifery and family nursing
in America; one of only a very few schools in the
country to offer degrees in both.
• More than 1,400 students.
– Just rolled out Software Secure in July.
– 240 students using proctoring technology right now.
– Adding 160 more students by the end of September.
18. FNA: Solution Overview
• Never had remote proctoring; simply administered
tests electronically through secure browsers.
• In 2011, started talking about new solution.
– One of the driving reasons was that in some cases, student
scores on nursing board exams were incongruent with their
scores in course exams.
– Reports of cheating.
• Considered human proctors, but our student base is so
spread out, it would have been cost-prohibitive and
logistically difficult.
• In the end, we chose Software Secure in 2011.
19. FNA: Lessons Learned
• If students are uncomfortable about the camera, be
honest.
– Camera is only on when proctoring is going on; if students
don’t like it, they can unplug camera when not in use.
• Don’t bother reviewing tapes.
– Software Secure offers this service. Take it. Parsing in-house
would be nearly impossible given the workloads of available
staff and faculty members.
• Having a system makes a huge difference.
– We’ve had no legitimate cheating incidents since
implementing the technology; triggers have been for what are
called “environmental policy failures.”
20. John McGee
Coordinator of Academic Technology,
University of North Alabama
Moderated by Matt Villano
Senior contributing editor
Campus Technology
Sponsored by:
21. UNA: Solution Overview
• Based in Florence, Ala.
• Institution founded in 1830
• First online programs in late 1990s
• Offer about 39 majors (grad + undergrad)
• More than 3,000 students per year online
• Recently scaled back hybrid classes; they are now at
instructor’s discretion only.
• Institution utilizes Angel Learning as LMS.
22. UNA: Solution Overview
• Early generation proctoring was not mandated, and had two
flavors:
– Office of Distance Learning (ODL) verified off-campus proctors for faculty
who chose to have proctored exams.
– On-campus, ODL provided proctors.
• In 2011, we discontinued paper-based tests for online learning;
required all assessments be delivered electronically. Were
experiencing two problems:
– We had a tough time confirming that “verified” proctors were legitimate.
– Keeping assessment instruments secure was problematic
• In Summer 2012, we implemented Software Secure’s RP Now
product.
• Now 11 of our faculty members require proctoring.
– Cost to students is actually lower than it is to having verified proctor.
23. UNA: Lessons Learned
• Students are academically honest.
– We’ve only had two suspicious incidents since implementing
Software Secure.
• Students are flexible.
– Students embraced new system quickly.
• Saved money on gas.
• Didn’t have to go somewhere to be proctored.
• Faculty are quick learners.
– Haven’t had a transitional bump (other than the first week of
panic).
24. Student Feedback
Students who demand flexibility are grateful for the
Remote Proctor option:
Time Savings: Ease of Use:
“This has saved me an hour’s drive to a testing “The proctor software seems to work well and
center.” is very convenient for taking tests online.”
“This opportunity allowed me to stay home “Can log in to my test in under 5 minutes -
with my sick mother rather than hiring a nurse anyone with basic knowledge of computer
to care for her while I drove to campus to take systems can easily access the program with
the exam.” instructions and practice.”
Privacy: Cost:
“ Remote Proctor is not intrusive” “I’ve saved on babysitting fees and parking by
“Convenience of remote proctoring outweighs being able to take the test from my house.”
my concern about being monitored.” “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.”
26. 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
.
27. Remote Testing Solutions
Digital solutions that assure true exam
integrity for all distance learning exams.
Gold-standard proprietary On-demand solution for distance
hardware and software solution learning exams - proctored by
that delivers total security for self- computer and webcam,
service examinations and prevents authenticating the ID of online
cheating. students.
29. Next Steps
Questions
-Mike Pratt, Director, Office of Information Technology, University of West Alabama
-Email: mpratt@uwa.edu
-Paul Stackhouse, Director of IT, Frontier Nursing University
-Email: pstackhouse@frontier.edu
-John McGee, Coordinator of Education Technology, University of North Alabama
-Email: jmcgee@una.edu
Want to Talk? Schedule a Consultation
http://www.softwaresecure.com/solutions/secure-testing.html?ct
Customer Success Stories & Our Perspective
- Case Studies: http://www.softwaresecure.com/customers/case-studies.aspx
- Blog: http://www.softwaresecure.com/news/blog.aspx
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