How to Stop Students From Cheating in an Exam
Exams serve an important purpose by allowing the educator to determine whether their students have effectively learned and understood course materials. Unfortunately, students cheating in exams completely defeats this purpose. So, how do you stop students from adopting questionable methods to pass exams?
The best way to prevent students from cheating in an exam is to implement computer monitoring software. This software monitors students, either automatically or through live monitoring, during an exam. This offers administrators objective evidence of cheating and provides opportunities for intervention.
Read below to learn more about how you can use computer monitoring software to stop students from cheating.
Why Students Cheat
Although the vast majority of students take their exams honestly, there are a few that don’t. Some students may excuse cheating on the grounds that it is common among their peers, that it will not be discovered, or that it has become socially acceptable due to its prevalence.
Here are some other common reasons why students feel the need to cheat in their exams:
Pressure
Academic pressure is a common reason why students cheat. Some students need to keep up a certain GPA to retain their scholarships or avoid academic probation.
Or they may be concerned about not meeting their parents’ expectations. In some cases, students are working full-time, which could keep them from being able to concentrate on the tasks that they would normally have the time to complete.
Competition
From an early age, students are taught that our society is highly competitive. Consider how frequently the phrase “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing” appears.
While students should ideally lean toward the idea that it doesn’t matter if you succeed or fail, we understand that people who feel they can’t “win” rightfully may resort to unethical measures in their pursuit of success.
Poor Preparation
Many students may feel pressured to cheat on exams because they did not complete the assigned work during the semester.
This could be due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to working, focusing on extracurriculars, dealing with family trauma, anxiety, or depression. Excessive fatigue also increases the likelihood of students cheating.
Online Exam
Students are more likely to cheat on proctored examinations administered online as compared to those administered in a traditional classroom setting.
Some students view it as the standard exam scenario in which the instructor leaves the room. Although they would normally be honest, many people give in to the temptation to cheat when they know they can get away with it.
What Sets Monitored Exams Apart from Non-Monitored Exams
A monitored exam differs from a non-monitored exam primarily in the level of supervision that the instructor or proctor provides while the exam is being conducted.
A non-monitored exam can be defined as one in which neither a physical monitor nor extensive monitoring software is used to keep track of how each test taker uses their computer during the exam.
Depending on the circumstances and the preferences of the class, both monitored and non-monitored tests have their advantages and disadvantages.
With monitored tests, teachers are able to observe exactly what their students are concentrating on the entire time. That way, no one can have an unfair edge or cheat on an exam, and the outcomes will be honest.
Overall, proctored exams are preferable for exams that specifically assess each student’s retention and understanding of the course contents.
The goal of the exam is to test students’ memorization and comprehension of the subject; therefore, it would be unethical for them to cheat in any way, including using notes without permission. This is why proctored tests are usually the best option.
How to Stop Students from Cheating with Monitoring Software
Monitoring software is a type of computer program that enables educational institutions to maintain the security and credibility of their examinations. It is installed on the student’s device and aids in the fight against academic dishonesty by authenticating the test-takers’ identity and supervising them through video and audio recordings during the exam session. Based on the kind of monitoring system used, an online exam can be overseen manually or automatically.
The most common reasons for schools to use online monitoring are:
- maintain the honesty of the educational program;
- preserve their reputation;
- offer support throughout electronic examinations
Key Features of Monitoring Software
Following are some of the key features of monitoring software that you can use during exams:
Personalization
The exam administrator can tailor the monitoring system to any test scenario by modifying the settings. Make sure that you only select the metrics that you truly need to monitor.
Live and Automated Monitoring
Monitoring software employs sophisticated technologies to oversee exams automatically. Each student has their own dedicated session during the test, where behavioral tracking technologies record their every move.
This thorough monitoring includes capturing the student’s audio, webcam, and screen so that any breaches or anomalies may be reviewed after the exam.
Monitoring software also offers features for live human proctoring, which works as an additional measure of security for the examination.
Monitoring software does not provide human proctors, but a single proctor may keep an eye on multiple students at once, allowing for constant monitoring and prompt action in the event of suspicious behavior.
Interactive communication
A built-in conversation function in the monitoring software records any incidents that are marked as important throughout the test.
Through this chat feature, proctors and students can communicate, enabling students to request breaks or get answers to questions about the exam. Proctors can also use it to give out directions or cautions as they see fit.
Computer monitoring software generates a comprehensive credibility report following each test. This supplemental document contains information such as the student’s profile, session notes, and an incident summary. Educators can use this report as a tool to evaluate the reliability and validity of the testing procedure.
Locating Examinees
Examinees who sit with their classmates often attempt to cheat by looking over each other’s answers and using unfair tactics to pass the test without the invigilator noticing.
To counter this, educational institutions should implement internet monitoring technologies that can track candidates’ locations throughout the examination process.
Furthermore, for the software to be seamless, it must be adaptable to any iOS or Android device and capable of instantly interacting with any application, online session, or test server.
Restricted Browsing
Students have restricted access to some websites when taking online exams.
Ensure that anyone taking a test with an online monitoring software does not access forbidden websites. Educators must always select software that does not allow participants to access any websites or connections that are not approved.
Step-By-Step on How to Use Monitoring Software During Exam
Integrating technology, especially monitoring software, in the exam room can be difficult. Here is a step-by-step on how to use monitoring during the exam to assist you with the process:
1. Pre-Exam Verification
When conducting an online exam, the first stage in ensuring effective monitoring is the pre-exam verification. It is critical to verify that the individual taking the test is the same one who enrolled for it.
This might involve using monitoring software that checks the candidate’s identity by using their microphone and camera.
2. Monitoring
After the candidate has been authenticated, the invigilator should be able to observe any unapproved actions they take during the test. With the live online monitoring feature, proctors can constantly view the examinee’s activities and intervene as needed.
3. Detailed Reporting
Educational institutions ought to save all relevant recording data in the event any unethical or malpractice occurs. The tool’s analytics could additionally be used to detect applicants who had received an excessive amount of monitoring notifications throughout the exam.
Benefits of Using Monitoring Software
Incorporating monitoring software is a great way to improve the E-learning experience while offering more efficient and effective assessments. This not only ensures that your students have a safe and reliable assessment experience but it also helps enhance test security.
Here are a few benefits of utilizing monitoring software:
Secure Learning Environment
Examinations must be administered in a safe and comfortable online setting to ensure their effectiveness. Using a monitoring tool that provides safe examinations is an effective way to make sure examinees do not cheat in any way.
Institutions can now conduct online tests in a relaxing, safe, and secure manner with the help of monitoring solutions that are based on data and live recordings.
This gives a sense of assurance that there will be no instances of fraudulent behavior or illegal access throughout the exam.
Boost Transparency
Monitoring software is a practical and efficient exam monitoring technology that allows institutions to monitor and grade online exams easily.
Students taking exams through online monitoring services report more confidence in and satisfaction with the testing process as a whole due to the increased transparency it provides.
Additionally, the personal information of students is protected through the use of encryption and mandatory privacy agreements issued by the company.
Cuts Costs and Saves time
The amount of time and money that can be saved by using online proctoring software is, without a doubt, one of the most significant advantages of employing such software. Online proctoring services offer a trustworthy, hassle-free way to keep an eye on examinations.
It also frees up faculty time to work on other parts of the school, such as planning events, researching the curriculum, and developing fresh lessons.
As a result, examinations are no longer a cause of distraction for staff members, and consequently, they can be carried out more effectively across the entire institution, thereby conserving valuable resources.
Boost Student Learning and Engagement
Students are required to complete a variety of academic assessments; hence, they should allocate sufficient time to learning and comprehending the subject matter.
Students can use monitoring software to take exams based on their availability. Teachers can administer exams at any point without fear that they will be absent from the classroom.
Improve Productivity
Online monitoring software helps teachers, staff members, and even students be more efficient and get more done. It is particularly beneficial when it comes to enhancing performance or improving test scores.
Additionally, monitoring software features the option to track and monitor the progress of students conveniently. This means that your institute will be able to handle test results with a complete analysis better.
Choosing the Best Monitoring Software
The following are some considerations to take into account when searching for the most suitable online exam monitoring solution to meet your particular training and teaching requirements.
Features
Search for software that allows webcam monitoring so that you may record video footage of the individual taking the test as they are taking it. Apart from that, consider other features offered by software such as Wolfeye, including automated screenshots and discreet startup.
Easy to Use Interface
Pick a program that’s simple enough for test-takers and administrators to use. For example, Wolfeye has an incredibly small learning curve. An intuitive layout can also help alleviate stress and uncertainty during the exam procedure.
Privacy and Compliance
Make sure that the software satisfies the requirements for privacy and security that your institution has established.
With software like Wolfeye, you are provided the freedom to customize various features. This means you can ensure compliance with laws while still making the best use of the software.
Budget
Compare the various pricing plans offered by each of the monitoring software options, and select the one that is within your budget while still satisfying your expectations.
Software like Wolfeye, despite its high number of features, is surprisingly affordable. A 12-month license for one user costs $97. There’s also a three-day trial period to make sure the software fits your requirements.
Conclusion
So, while entirely eliminating cheating in exams may seem challenging, it can be made easier through monitoring software. This software has extensive features that can effectively monitor students during their exams and prevent instances of cheating. It also provides detailed analytics after the exam, which can help educators improve their lesson plans and assessment structure.