Protecting Academic Integrity in Online Exam Environments

1. Protecting Academic Integrity
in Online Exam Environments
Secure Testing. Anytime. Anywhere.
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2. 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, K-12 and 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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3. Software Secure Timeline
Introduced features
Developed Integrated with
to facilitate
Solutions for Amazon Cloud for
interaction with
Classroom Use scalability
students
2000 2006 2010 2011 2012
Built first Remote Built Record & Review
Proctoring Solution Solution to utilize the
utilizing Software student’s webcam
Secure hardware

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5. Secure Test Solutions
Software Secure provides a spectrum of solutions that protect the integrity
of test conditions and the authenticity of the student, while providing end-
to-end exam administration services.
Remote and Classroom Testing
Products & Services
 Remote Proctor PRO & NOW
 Video Review Services
 Securexam Browser
 Securexam Student
 Planet SSI

6. Online Challenges
 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?
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7. Students Are Cheating Online
“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
Faking the Grade:
A for (someone else’s) Effort?

8. Online Exam Proctoring Solutions
Digital solutions that assure true exam
integrity for all distance learning exams.
Gold-standard proprietary hardware and On-demand solution for distance learning
software solution that delivers total exams - proctored by computer and
security for self-service examinations webcam, authenticating the ID of online
and prevents cheating. students.

9. 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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10. 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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11. Webcam-Based Proctor: How it Works
1. Access software
2. Select your exam
3. Verify identity
4. Take your exam

12. Exam Monitoring: Remote Proctor Methodology
 Records webcam view, audio and desktop to memorialize each exam session
 Reputable Reviewers - Certified Review Specialists
 Multiples: Three sets of eyes review each exam session
 Catalogs exam policy violations to assure compliance with exam policies
Reviewers: 3 sets of eyes review each exam session
Student monitored Desktop recorded Exam Session recorded
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13. We work with almost any LMS:
Remote Proctor Solutions can be easily integrated with your Learning
Management System, creating a natural extension of the applications your
institution already has in place.
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14. Case UWA Leverages Remote Proctor PRO to Offer
Study
Campus-wide Online Proctoring
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
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15. Case UNA Offers Remote Proctor NOW to Students
Study
for Secure and Flexible Online Proctoring
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.
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16. Case Ohio University Turns to Remote Proctor to
Study Provide a Level Playing Field & Protect Exam Integrity
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. 16

17. 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 take my “The proctor software seems to work well and
son to a testing 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.”

18. Customers using Remote Proctor today
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19. 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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20. Balancing Priorities
Cost
Low
Remote Proctor
Login/ID,
Remote Proctor PRO
Password,
NOW, Anytime, Anytime,
anytime,
anywhere anywhere
anywhere
Convenience
Login/ID Remote Proctor
Remote Proctor
password, NOW
PRO, scheduled
scheduled Scheduled
location
location location
High
Security

21. 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

22. Secure Testing. Anytime. Anywhere.
For more information, please contact:
Software Secure Sales Inquiries
sales@softwaresecure.com | (617) 340-6381
Follow us: @Software_Secure