How to Proctor Online Authentic Assessments

How to proctoring online authentic assessments

Many believe authentic assessments are best for in-person classes, but they’re just as useful in online courses – but there are still challenges.

How would you prevent students from cheating in these situations?

A nursing student is recording a video demonstration about how to take blood pressure

  • What if they have instructions on their desk or a classmate in the room showing them what to do next?​

An accounting student is preparing a balance sheet in Excel​

  • What if they copy and paste formulas or search the internet for help?​
The good news is that online proctoring can be used to prevent cheating during authentic assessments and we’ll show you how for these assessment activities:

Using online proctoring for authentic assessments

For each example in this article, we’ll assume the instructor is using an online proctoring solution that combines AI software and live proctors.

This type of online proctoring allows instructors to prevent cheating by verifying ID, monitoring behavior, detecting cell phone use and voices, identifying leaked test content, and more.

Click here to skip to the online proctoring features overview section of this article.

Authentic assessment video presentations and demonstrations

In this example, students use their webcam to record themselves:
  • Holding a tool and identifying the parts
  • Demonstrating how the tool actually works
  • Presenting one idea they have to improve the tool

Example: A nursing student identifies the parts of a stethoscope, demonstrates how it works, and presents one way they believe it can be improved.

How to use proctoring for online presentations and demonstrations

Detect voices and get a transcript of what was said

The AI proctoring software can detect voices and provide the instructor with a transcript of what the student said during the assessment presentation. This can help save time when checking for certain topics without watching the whole video.

The AI software also listens for specific keywords or phrases, such as “Hey Siri” or “OK Google,” and words from a custom list provided by the instructor, such as “help me,” or “what’s the answer?”

If the AI detects any potential dishonesty, it alerts a live remote proctor to pop into the online assessment session to intervene and redirect the student.

Scan the room and monitor student behavior

If the instructor wants to make sure that students aren’t using any notes or resources during the assessment, they can require students to complete a room scan and the AI proctoring software monitors student behavior throughout the assessment to detect potential dishonesty.

Record the presentation/demonstration

The AI proctoring software records the entire presentation for the instructor to watch. The recording also includes timestamps of any suspicious behavior to review.

Group presentation authentic assessments

Example: Three students in different locations record a group presentation using a video conferencing platform.

How to use remote proctoring for group presentations

Much of this process is the same as recording an individual student’s presentation.
Instructors can use remote proctoring to verify each student’s ID, scan the room for additional notes and resources, record the presentation video, and to get a transcript of what the students said during the presentation.

The instructor would just review the audio and video of the presentation from one student in the group.

Authentic assessment essays (typed and handwritten)

Example: Students write an essay by hand or they can type it in an online word processor, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

How to use online proctoring for essays and written test questions

Allow handwritten essays

Some students may be more comfortable with handwriting their essay. Handwritten essays can be allowed by providing the live proctor with specific settings, instructions, and test rules.

Proctoring setting

The instructor turns on Scratch Paper Allowed and the AI won’t flag a student for looking down at their paper.

The student would simply show the blank paper before they start writing and upload the written essay after they complete it.

Test rules and instructions for students

The instructor provides test rules and instructions that require the student to use white paper and a black or dark blue pen.

Use a browser guard to only allow access to specific sites

The instructor provides a list of specific browser-based word processors that students can access to type their written response, such as Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

After students complete the essay, there are workflows in the LMS for uploading written work, notes, and scratch paper.

Detect when students use their cell phones to look up test answers

Some online proctoring software can detect when students attempt to use their cell phones or other devices to access test bank content during the exam.

Verify student ID

The webcam is used to verify student ID in about a minute so that instructors can be sure that the student completing the assessment is the one getting credit for it.

Authentic assessment math problems using pen and paper

Example: Students read the math problems on the online assessment and use scratch paper to complete the math problem.

How to proctor math problems completed by hand using pen and paper

Proctoring math problems that are answered using pen and paper will be similar to the process for handwritten essays.
In addition to verifying ID, scanning the room, monitoring behavior, and detecting cell phones, specific settings and instructions can be used to proctor online math problems.

To help keep the review process organized, the instructor can provide specific instructions for students to follow such as:

  • Only use black or dark blue pen and blank white paper
  • Only answer one question per side of paper
  • Before you begin answering the question, hold the blank paper up to the camera
  • Clearly write the question number in the top left corner of the paper
  • Show your work after your complete each question
  • To show your work, hold the piece of paper up to the camera for three seconds after you complete each question
  • If you need to redo your work, hold the piece of paper up for the question you’re redoing, cross out your answer, start your new work on a blank piece of paper and repeat the steps

Authentic assessment requiring the use of real-world software

Example: Accounting students must prepare their own balance sheet from scratch using Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel.

How to use online exam proctoring for assessment activities using real-world software

Use a browser guard to prevent access to other websites

A browser guard is a quick way to prevent students from opening new windows, tabs, or applications. It can also be used to only allow specific URLs during the online authentic assessment.

Record students’ screens during the assessment activity for review

The students’ screens can be recorded throughout the assessment activity and the instructor can watch the videos to see how students completed it.

Record audio for an “explainer video”

In addition to recording students’ screens during the assessment activity, instructors can also record audio. This way, instructors can watch the student complete the activity and the student can explain what they’re doing and why.

As previously mentioned, the audio recording also comes with a transcript of what the student said during the recording.

Similar to the authentic assessment activities mentioned earlier in this article, instructors can also verify ID, detect cell phone use, and complete a room scan.

Open book authentic assessments

Example: The assessment, or parts of the assessment, allow students to use specific books and resources in physical and electronic formats.

How to use online proctoring for open book test questions

Scan the room to ensure that only permitted resources are available

During the room scan, students can have instructor-permitted books in the testing area that they can use during the proctored authentic assessment.

Identify leaked test questions

Instructors can use technology to search the Internet to identify when test questions have been leaked. If any leaked test questions are found, instructors are given simple steps to take control of their exams’ integrity.

Only allow specific digital resources

Instructors can allow students to access specific digital resources during the proctored exam. The instructor simply adds the exact URLs of permitted sites in the exam setup.

Honorlock makes it easy to proctor online authentic assessments

Assessment recordings are time-stamped to streamline reviews

After the authentic assessment is complete, instructors can access actionable reports and time-stamped recordings within the LMS dashboard.

The reports include important information about student activity, such as potential violations and suspicious behavior, in an easy-to-read format to streamline the review process.

The direct LMS integration creates a familiar testing environment
Honorlock’s proctoring software integrates with the existing LMS, which creates a very familiar test experience for students and instructors.
  • Instructors create assessments just like they already do and then simply choose which online proctoring features to use
  • Students take the proctored assessment within the LMS like they’re accustomed to and get live support without leaving the assessment window
  • No extra passwords or logins needed
Students can take proctored authentic assessments 24/7/365 and get live support

Even though Honorlock makes things simple and easy, we still provide live support for students and faculty – any time, day or night.

Combines AI with human proctors which can help reduce student test anxiety

Honorlock’s AI monitors each student’s online assessment session and alerts a live, US-based proctor if any potential academic dishonesty is detected. The live proctor can then use an analysis window to review the situation before entering the assessment session via chat-box to address the situation and help the student get back on track.

This approach delivers a much less intimidating and non-invasive proctored testing experience for the student.

Detect cell phones and other devices

The ability to detect cell phones and other devices is especially important because most students have access to one or more devices. Honorlock’s online proctoring software can detect when students attempt to use their cell phone, tablet, and laptop to access test bank content during the authentic assessment.

Scan the testing environment

Before the authentic assessment begins, instructors can require students to scan the room and the desk area to ensure no unauthorized people or items are in the testing environment.

If the instructor would like the student to show certain items, such as blank scratch paper or a book, they can use the “Additional Instructions” section to detail what they’d like the student to do for the room scan.

Block access to websites and applications

Honorlock’s Browser Guard™ prevents and/or flags if the student attempts to open new windows or tabs or interacts with any other application on the desktop. It can also be used to only allow students to access specific websites while still blocking access to others.

Identify leaked test questions and take action to protect content

Honorlock’s Search & Destroy technology searches the internet to identify exam questions that have been shared online and if leaked exam questions are found, instructors are given simple steps to take control of their exams’ integrity.

Verify ID in about a minute

ID verification quick and simple with Honorlock. Our AI captures a picture of the student along with their photo ID. In about 60 seconds, students are able to begin their proctored online exam.

Detect voices and get transcripts

Our online exam proctoring software listens for specific keywords or phrases, such as “Hey Siri” or “OK Google,” or words from a dynamic list, such as “help me,” or “what’s the answer.” The AI then alerts a live remote proctor to pop into the online exam session via chat to intervene and redirect the student.

Additionally, Honorlock creates a written transcript whenever a voice is detected.

Read parts 1 & 2 of the authentic assessment series

Part 1: What is authentic assessment and how is it used in online courses?

Part 2: How to make online authentic assessments (with examples)

Tyler Stike

Tyler is Honorlock's Director of Content and a doctoral student at the University of Florida focused on educational technology.

How Online Proctoring Benefits Higher Ed Roles

How online proctoring helps improve teaching and learning for different roles in higher education

Online exam proctoring helps improve online teaching and learning for five groups in higher ed:

  1. Students
  2. Instructors
  3. Distance & eLearning faculty
  4. Testing center directors
  5. Administration

Click the number above to skip to that section.

How proctoring online exams benefits students

Easy to use

Online proctoring software that directly integrates with the LMS creates a similar test environment because students take the proctored exam within the LMS just like they already do. The integration also means that students won’t need any extra logins or passwords.

“Students like that Honorlock launches directly out of Canvas, and that there is nothing that they have to do differently from what they are used to. It’s seamless and quick, and the equipment checks are faster than our previous solution, which improves the entire experience.”– Paula Rodriguez, former director of the University Testing Center at Colorado State University

 
Students can take online proctored exams 24/7 and get live support

Because it’s available 24/7/365, online proctoring also allows students to experience the flexibility of taking a test at a time best for them, often without needing to set an appointment at a testing center.

“Having access to customer support 24/7/365 is huge. Especially during times like this when students may be taking exams at any time of day. You want them to have access to someone who can troubleshoot with them.” – Daphnee St. Val, Senior Instructional Designer at Broward College

Helps reduce student test anxiety
Honorlock conducted a student survey with a university and found that the right online proctoring platform can help reduce student test anxiety, which is present in 64% of students.

Several safeguards Honorlock offers helped significantly, such as dispelling misconceptions about what could trigger a red flag and the ability to troubleshoot and alleviate technical concerns before starting the test.

Honorlock’s full-time remote proctoring team is trained to identify indicators of test anxiety, such as lip licking or touching the face, and they proactively interact with affected students using a reassuring set of talking points. 100% of students who interacted with a remote proctor said the interaction made them less anxious.

“I don’t get any complaints about it [from students]. They say it’s quick and easy, and once they start the exam, they don’t even notice that they’re being proctored, which helps to reduce test anxiety.” Dr. Juliette Mersiowsky, Former Director of Distance Education and Digital Education Collaborative at Longwood University

Helps solidify the validity of the program

Unfortunately, online learning can come with a downside if it isn’t valued as highly as in-person learning, and students don’t want the perceived value of their degree to fall if they elect to take a class remotely.

“Prioritizing adequate protections for remote testing through online proctoring confirms that an online degree holds the same weight as one where students took the classes in person,” said Jordan Adair, Vice President of Product for Honorlock.

How online proctoring benefits instructors

Class time can be spent teaching instead of testing

Any instructor will agree that there’s never enough time to cover all the material they’d like to present, which is why they value online testing’s ability to preserve educational hours.

“If instructors don’t have to deliver a test in class, that leaves time for another lecture or project they can explore together,” said Adair.

Quick and simple to use

Today’s educators are also often overrun with technological expectations, so it’s vital that the online proctoring platform is easy to use, quick to set up, and fully customizable.

As described earlier, Honorlock’s online exam proctoring software directly integrates with the existing LMS, which means it’s basically the same process for instructors to create exams. The only difference is that after they create the exam in the LMS like they already do, they’ll simply click to choose which proctoring features they want to use during the exam.

“I had 500 students in one class, but the first assessment with Honorlock went as smoothly as it possibly could have gone…Honorlock is an incredibly user-friendly platform – very intuitive,” Peter Burrell, Associate Professor at University of Cincinnati

Protects academic integrity

Instructors spend a lot of time creating exam content, and it’s extremely frustrating when that content is shared on the internet.

To help protect exam content, Honorlock’s Search & Destroy technology searches the web to identify exam questions that have been shared online, which allows instructors to take action by sending content takedown requests and updating exam questions.

Instructors also appreciate the features from proctoring solutions like Honorlock, such as:

  • Cell phone detection
  • Live proctors combined with AI
  • Voice detection
  • Browser locking
  • Time-stamped recordings and reports
  • ID verification

Provides insight into student behavior

Honorlock’s remote proctoring platform collects extensive data during the exam and provides actionable reports and time-stamped recordings within the LMS dashboard.

This means the instructor can save time by focusing on relevant student behavior and violations. The proctored exam reports appear in an easy-to-read format that includes relevant student activity such as violations and any suspicious behavior.

“It was also a means to detect and determine many different ways that students approach the exams. Because of access to the wealth of data and information provided through Honorlock, I became better able to utilize it.”– Ryan P. Mears, Ph.D., Lecturer at University of Florida

How online exam proctoring benefits distance learning and elearning faculty

Quick and easy implementation

As schools are expanding their online learning offerings, many distance learning faculty are taking on more responsibilities. That’s why a simple implementation is so valuable. Implementing an online proctoring platform should take days, not weeks. “From setting up the LMS integration in as little as an hour to a fully managed implementation and training plan, schools are ready to go with Honorlock,” Adair said.

“The integration between Canvas and Honorlock was really seamless. Very easy to get it launched. It was great, we had no problems launching it and making it work,” Burrell explained.

Secures and protects student data

Distance learning teams are concerned with far more than logistical issues. One key consideration for eLearning faculty is the importance of protecting students’ data.

“Colleges value the fact that we are FERPA-compliant and use an encrypted and secure connection during each online proctored exam. Additionally, all student data is secured and stored on the cloud in an Amazon (AWS) data center which is SOC 3 certified, U.S. Privacy Shield and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant,” said Adair.

Ensuring inclusion and accessibility

In addition, distance learning directors and educators are responsible for creating a diverse and inclusive online learning environment that’s accessible and usable for all students, regardless of their disability or condition.

Honorlock allows your faculty to provide a variety of accommodations to meet student accessibility needs, such as providing breaks, extending time limits, and allowing multiple attempts. Honorlock’s online proctoring platform integrates with assistive devices, such as screen readers, and complies with accessibility standards such as ADA Standards for Accessible Design and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Protecting program and institution reputation

Distance learning directors and educators also want to ensure that a degree conferred through distance learning holds equal significance in the marketplace. “Online proctoring helps build the trust that exams are being delivered with the same rigor as an in-person test,” Adair said.

Predicting and controlling costs
Finally, as eLearning departments face budgetary considerations, some remote proctoring companies, such as Honorlock, offer a flat-rate cost per online exam or per student, which helps them better estimate testing costs.

How online proctoring benefits testing center directors

Easy to implement

An online proctoring platform has to be user-friendly for both the faculty designing tests and the students taking them.

“The acceleration in technology adoption has created new burdens for IT departments because institutions, administrators, and instructors have had to adapt to a suite of new tools at such a fast pace,” said Adair. He notes that personnel typically spend several months for training and preparation, adding, “The importance of turnkey software has been brought front and center as they want to streamline offerings and avoid spending extra training dollars or time.” 

Reduces testing review time

Testing center staff spend a lot of time administering exams in person and reviewing online proctoring sessions to shift some of the workload from instructors. Honorlock helps them quickly identify which batches of student exams they might want to review.

“Now [instructors] just go in and click on results. The recent user interface updates streamlined the process even more for faculty.” – Ken Craver, Director of Distance Education at Tyler Junior College

Additionally, if the proctoring platform is easy for students to use, faculty reap the benefits through fewer questions and less hassle with technical issues.

Verifies ID

For some programs, ID verification is required by law, but for any test, faculty need to be sure that the student taking the exam is the student getting credit. With Honorlock, remote proctors can bypass the ID check, which helps make the check-in process more convenient for students as well as testing center staff.

How proctored testing benefits university administration

Increases online learning offerings

As universities face new challenges, they are looking for ideas that have a purposeful impact across the institution. One of the most attractive revenue streams they can offer is online learning.

“While many institutions had been considering expanding their online programs, the pandemic gave everyone the boost they needed to take it to the next level. They are seeing the advantages of making online programs available to more students under a variety of different circumstances, which could lead to greater revenue. Online proctoring makes this growth more feasible,” Adair explained.

Predicts and controls testing costs

Hand-in-hand with growing revenue is controlling costs. Honorlock offers the ability to accurately predict remote testing costs, keeping budgets in check with a flat-rate cost per student or per exam.

Protects institutional reputation

Online exam proctoring reinforces the validity of their academic programs and the institution as a whole, which is vital for the accreditation process.

“It allows universities to demonstrate that students have met certain learning outcomes by showing that the exam was secure and that they verified the identity of the student doing the work,” Adair explains.

This confirmation is more important than ever, given the documented rise in cheating on online tests. The underlying goal? Protecting academic integrity and ensuring a fair and equitable educational experience for all students.

Is your institution ready for the benefits of online proctoring?

Whether you want to expand your online learning offerings or create a level playing field on campus, online proctoring can support your institutional goals.

It also reinforces one of the most crucial services you provide: boosting achievement in students.

“As instructors, we take seriously our role to educate students about academic integrity,” said the University of Cincinnati’s Burrell. “I remind them that when they join the work world, they have to know how to do the research and figure out answers on their own. College is designed to allow them to practice those skills, and we do them a disservice if we don’t encourage that and hold them to high standards throughout their academic journey.” 

As universities continually burnish their legacies by proving the value of the education they provide, they are increasingly turning to online proctoring as a foundational solution.

What is Honorlock?

Honorlock approaches online exam proctoring in a better way.

Our purpose isn’t simply to catch students cheating – we aim to create an online testing environment that supports honesty and integrity in a non-invasive, fair, and equitable testing environment.

Honorlock’s combines the benefits of AI with those of live remote proctors to help reduce student test anxiety, provide support, and uphold academic integrity.

Make online proctoring simple and easy with Honorlock. Schedule a demo.
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Tyler Stike

Tyler is Honorlock's Director of Content and a doctoral student at the University of Florida focused on educational technology.

How Does Online Proctoring Work?

How does online proctoring work and what is it?

What is online proctoring?

Online proctoring uses monitors online exams with software and/or live proctors to prevent cheating and support test takers.

Four types of online proctoring:

  1. Browser lockdown: prevents test takers from using other browsers and keyboard functions
  2. AI proctoring (automated): monitors online exams with AI proctoring software only
  3. Live proctoring: a live proctor watches test takers the entire time they take the exam
  4. Blended proctoring: Combines AI proctoring with live proctors. AI monitors exams and alerts a live proctor if it detects potential dishonesty. Blended solutions typically include browser lockdown software.

Can online proctoring be used on different exam formats?

Online proctoring can be used for nearly any type of assessment. Whether it’s an online exam using standard question types (multiple choice and true/false), in-person tests, and even authentic assessments where a test taker is completing a task such as a live presentation or demonstration.

How does online proctoring work?

First things first: the online proctoring software should directly integrate with the Learning Management System (LMS). A direct LMS integration makes it easy to proctor online exams; it streamlines implementation, no extra logins and passwords are needed, and it creates a familiar environment for exam takers and instructors.

Here’s how blended online proctoring works:

Instructors create the test in the LMS like they usually do, and the proctoring software collects the necessary information through the integration.

Instructors pick the exam proctoring features to use

Instructors have plenty of proctoring features to choose from, such as detecting cell phones, locking the browser, detecting voices, verifying ID, and more.

Test takers get set up and start the online proctored exam

They’ll simply log in to the LMS like they already do, verify their identity in about a minute, and then launch the proctored exam. Ideally, they’ll be able to get support directly within the exam window.

AI software monitors the exams

A key feature of using a blended proctoring solution is that AI software monitors each exam session and alerts a live proctor if it detects any potential dishonesty.

The benefit of this approach to proctoring online exams is that it’s non-invasive and less intimidating because a live proctor isn’t watching them throughout the exam. Additionally, the proctor can quickly review the situation and determine if they need to intervene and address it with the test taker and then help them get back on track.

Instructors review reports after the exams

The exam proctoring software collects extensive data and provides actionable reports and time-stamped recordings to the instructor within the LMS dashboard.

The exam proctoring software collects extensive data and provides it to the instructor for review within the LMS dashboard. To help save time, the reports should provide time-stamped recordings of violations and suspicious behavior.

Online proctoring features

We’ll break the proctoring features in this section into two parts:

  1. Common: features used by most online proctoring companies
  2. Exclusive: features used by one or very few proctoring solutions

Common online proctoring features

  • Video monitoring: uses the webcam to monitor behavior, scan the testing room, and verify ID
  • Basic audio monitoring: monitors audio but doesn’t listen for specific keywords or phrases that can indicate potential dishonesty
  • Browser lock: an entry-level proctoring feature that just prevents the use of other browsers and certain keyboard functions
  • ID verification: uses the webcam to verify identity

Exclusive online proctoring features

  • Cell phone detection: AI software that can detect when test takers attempt to use their cell phones or other devices to access test bank content during the exam
  • Smart voice detection: more advanced than the previously mentioned basic audio because it listens for specific keywords or phrases, such as “Alexa,” “OK Google,” or “Hey Siri.” Then, it alerts a live test proctor to intervene
  • AI+Live proctoring: blended online proctoring software that monitors the exam session for potential academic dishonesty and alerts a live proctor to join the session in real-time if it detects any issues
  • Test question integrity: a technology that searches the internet to identify leaked test questions. If it finds leaked questions, instructors can take steps to control their exams’ integrity

Why use online proctoring?

Online proctoring creates a fair test and equitable environment

While some believe that online proctoring is just used to catch cheating on online exams, it’s much more than that. When proctoring is done right, it helps create a non-invasive and equitable testing environment that holds everyone accountable.

Supports test takers

Some proctoring companies had their proctoring teams trained by a nationally certified counselor and educator about supporting test takers during moments of assessment frustration and anxiety.

Provides instructors with valuable insight into test performance

In-depth reports and recordings help instructors understand how test takers approach online exams and where they’re struggling or excelling.

Protects reputation

Reputation is a foundational element in higher education and any corporation. Prospective students, accrediting bodies, and employers need to know that the programs are academically sound. Online exam proctoring services play a critical role in protecting reputation and online exams.

What is Honorlock?

Honorlock was the first to combine AI software with live proctors to make online proctoring simple, easy, and human.

This hybrid proctoring solution protects academic integrity with online exam proctoring that’s monitored by AI and reviewed by humans. Our remote proctor software monitors each exam session and alerts a live, US-based proctor if it detects any potential problems. This provides our proctors with the opportunity to review the behavior and intervene if necessary.

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Tyler Stike

Tyler is Honorlock's Director of Content and a doctoral student at the University of Florida focused on educational technology.

Tips to Create Online Authentic Assessments (with examples & rubric template)

How to create online authentic assessments

Authentic assessments are a great way to make sure that students can apply what they’ve learned in class to real-world situations. While there are many benefits to using authentic assessments, there are also key things to consider before you get started. For more information on what authentic assessments are, see part 1 of our series.

In this article, we’ll show you:
  • How to create authentic assessments in five steps
  • An example authentic assessment rubric
  • How to deter and prevent cheating on authentic assessments

5 Steps to create an authentic assessment

  1. Write a summary sentence with key assessment objectives
  2. Break the summary sentence into specific sections
  3. Write a bulleted list of exactly what students should know for each section
  4. Write down different authentic assessment activities that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge – don’t forget about web accessibility!
  5. Choose your assessment activities and create a detailed rubric with descriptions

How to create authentic assessments

Step 1: Write a summary sentence with key assessment objectives

We recommend starting with one or two sentences in order to keep the assessment focused as you continue.

Example:

Students will demonstrate understanding of three process improvement methodologies and the ability to determine which best applies to specific businesses, industries, and situations.

Step 2: Break the summary into individual sections

Example:

Section 1: Demonstrate understanding of three process improvement methodologies

Section 2: Ability to determine which methodology best applies to various situations

Step 3: Write a bulleted list of what students should know for each section

Example:

Section 1: Demonstrate understanding of three process improvement methodologies

  • Foundational elements of each methodology: how it works, and when and why it was created
  • Common terms and definitions for each methodology

Section 2: The ability to determine which methodology is most appropriate in different situations

  • Pros and cons of each methodology
  • Why and how each methodology should be used for different businesses, industries, and situation

Step 4: Write down how students can demonstrate their knowledge for each item on the bulleted lists

After you create bulleted lists of what students should know for each section, create a list of how students can demonstrate knowledge for each.

Example:

Section 1: Demonstrate understanding of three process improvement methodologies

  • Foundational elements of each methodology: how it works, and when and why it was created
  • Written portion: Explain each methodology (1-2 paragraphs)
  • Timeline: Create a timeline for each methodology that emphasizes key dates
  • Video self-recording: Explain each methodology in 1-2 minutes
  • Common terms and definitions for each methodology
  • Fill in the blank for terms/definitions
  • Written: Write a brief summary of each term that describes when and how they’re used in a real-world effort

Section 2: The ability to determine which methodology is most appropriate in different situations

  • Pros and cons of each methodology
  • Video self-recording: Verbally explain the pros and cons of each process improvement methodology
  • Written: List 3-5 pros and cons of each methodology
  • Class discussion: Review a case study, choose a methodology, and then discuss why it should be used compared to a different methodology chosen by another student
  • Why and how each methodology should be used for different businesses, industries, and situation
  • Presentation: Apply one methodology to a specific case study and explain why and how it was used
  • Case study and recommendation: Review real-world case study and provide a recommendation on which methodology should be used to improve efforts.

Keep accessibility in mind as you choose assessment activities

When considering assessment activities, keep web accessibility and compliance standards in mind to help create a fair test environment.

  • Is each activity possible for every student regardless of disability or condition?
  • e.g., If the activity involves a spoken component, how will students with speech impairments complete it?
  • Are all technologies used in the online course compatible with assistive devices?
  • Does the LMS, online proctoring platform, and third-party software integrate with assistive technology?
  • Are resources needed to complete the activities accessible for each student?
  • e.g., Can they all afford a webcam/microphone? If not, do they have access to resources on campus?

Step 5: Choose the activities students will complete to demonstrate knowledge and then create descriptions and clear rubrics for each

After you pick the activities students will complete to demonstrate knowledge, you’ll create detailed descriptions and rubrics for each portion of the assessment. The descriptions and rubrics should be detailed and easy to understand so that students know exactly what’s expected of them.

Note: The example below doesn’t include a description or rubric for students requiring accommodations. However, each student should have assessment activity descriptions and rubrics that provide similar details and formatting. It should also provide information about how to contact the instructor for help.

Example:

For this example, the instructor asks for a self-recording of each student verbally describing the pros and cons of each process improvement methodology.

Example Description: Use your webcam to record a video where you’ll verbally explain the pros and cons of each process improvement methodology. The three process improvement methodologies are Six Sigma, Project Management, and Agile.

For accommodations, please email to discuss alternative options for completing the assessment activities.

For each methodology, you’ll provide:

  • A 1-minute overview of how each methodology works
  • A complete overview includes:
  • The name of the methodology
  • Who created it and when it was created
  • The general intent and purpose of the methodology
  • e.g., it’s intended to streamline technology implementation and reduce waste
  • Two industries that commonly use the methodology
  • Three advantages and disadvantages for each methodology
  • For each advantage/disadvantage, provide clarity on the positive or negative impact and how it affects other areas of the business.

Example:

  • Good example: Six Sigma reduces waste by spotting defects in manufacturing processes, which reduces labor costs because it saves time.
  • Bad example: Six Sigma saves time and money

Example authentic assessment rubric:

For accommodations, please email to discuss alternative options for completing the assessment activities.

How to deter and prevent cheating during authentic assessments

It can be tricky to protect the academic integrity of authentic assessments because they use many different question types and activities that are outside of standard questions to assess students.

Building on the example in Step 5 where the student is completing a verbal component for the assessment, how would you protect integrity? You could use proctoring software to record the student’s presentation and have them complete a room scan prior to the presentation to make sure that they aren’t reading from their notes.

Click here to see real examples of how use online proctoring for authentic assessments.

But how would you protect academic integrity for other activities in an authentic assessment?

Aside from a basic browser lock, which usually isn’t enough to protect exams, what other online proctoring features can help deter and prevent cheating on authentic assessments? Consider an online proctoring solution that combines AI with human proctors to detect cell phones, monitor student behavior, detect voices, identify leaked exam content, verify ID, and more.

Blended online proctoring solutions, such as Honorlock, can help protect your authentic assessments by:

Detecting cell phones

Our AI proctoring software can detect when students attempt to use their cell phones to access test bank content during the exam.

Identifying when your test content has been leaked online

Use Honorlock’s Search & Destroy™ technology to scour the Internet for all of your questions used on the exam in a matter of minutes. If it finds leaked exam questions, instructors are given simple steps to take control of the situation.

Monitoring student behavior and verifying ID

Honorlock’s software uses the students’ webcams to:

  • Monitor behavior
  • Verify student ID
  • Scan the room to make sure that no other people or resources are present
Assessment flexibility and on-demand support

Because authentic assessments can be a bit more complex, students and faculty may need some technical support during the assessment.

With Honorlock, students and faculty can get 24/7/365 US–based support and students can take their authentic assessments whenever they’re ready – no scheduling needed.

Choose a better way to protect academic integrity

Honorlock combines AI software with live human proctors to make online proctoring simple and easy for faculty and students.

During the exam, our AI monitors each student’s exam session and alerts a live proctor to join the student’s session if it detects any potential issues.

This blend of AI and human review delivers a less intimidating and non-invasive proctored testing experience for the student because they aren’t constantly being watched.

Read Part 1: How to use authentic assessment in online courses

Read Part 3: How to proctor online authentic assessments

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Tyler Stike

Tyler is Honorlock's Director of Content and a doctoral student at the University of Florida focused on educational technology.

How Secure is Online Proctoring?

How secure is online proctoring
Author Information
Paul Morales
VP of Information Security at Honorlock
Watch the Video

Security in online proctoring is extremely important because institutions and students expect that their data is well protected and their privacy is maintained. 

The online proctoring company is a partner in your overall assessment process, and because of that, their security becomes your security. 

Before we jump into the details of security, keep this in mind: There is no magic wand or final destination in the security journey. It’s an evolving process that requires us to improve both our proactive and reactive defenses.

Honorlock strongly believes that the entire online proctoring industry needs to focus on security, and we plan to share insights and learnings as we improve during our journey. 

Click to jump ahead to any of the sections below: 

Download a list of security questions to ask proctoring vendors 

What is security?

Security has three key pillars, sometimes referred to as the CIA Triad: Confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Confidentiality

This ensures that access to data is only allowed by those who are authorized. It also means that those who are unauthorized are actively prevented from obtaining access.

Example of confidentiality: If I send you a message, you and only you know what the message is.

Availability

Put simply, availability is the assurance that networks, systems, and applications are up and running. It ensures that authorized users have timely, reliable access to resources when they are needed. 

Example of availability: I send you a message and you received it in a timely manner.

Availability has been the focus for a long time, but in recent years, many have realized how important confidentiality and integrity are in supporting operational security.

Security best practices for online proctoring companies

1. Assess all of your technology partners’ security practices

You’re only as secure as your weakest link. 

While security doesn’t happen overnight, if we’re open about what’s important, we can collectively improve security.

This effort to assess technology partners includes vendor security assessments and checking for a well-maintained risk management program, among other things.

2. Perform regular security testing

Regular security testing should include vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. 

What is vulnerability scanning?
Vulnerability scanning looks for areas of security that need further hardening or areas where action should be taken to reduce the chances of a security incident or breach. 

What is penetration testing?
Penetration testing uses the tactics of an attacker to exploit weaknesses in the environment to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, systems, or assets. 

3. Review their privacy policy

You should also look for a clearly defined and public-facing privacy policy that explains: 

  • How data is collected and maintained
  • What type of data is collected 

Fully understanding this information prepares to handle questions from concerned students and faculty.

What should you look for when vetting the security of online proctoring companies?

Data ownership

Never assume who owns the data in the system. Be sure that you have an understanding of data ownership with each of your technology partners.

Data encryption in transit and at rest

Make sure that your data is encrypted in transit and at rest. This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data in the system.

Security training for every employee

Security is everyone’s job, but many companies believe security is dependent on a single department or person. Because of this, organizations should take a holistic approach to cyber security awareness. 

Tips to assess the security maturity of an organization

Ask for the following information: 

  • Details about employee security training and how often it occurs (does this training align with your organization’s security posture)
  • How do individuals report a security incident?
  • Does the company routinely test employees to ensure they would act accordingly when faced with a threat or attack? 

Textbook/classroom knowledge is great, but you want to ensure the company’s employees are prepared in the event something goes wrong. 

Data security should be tiered and classified

The company should tier data security based on the sensitivity of the data being protected. The data should be classified so that users can easily understand how it should be handled. 

Ask the proctoring company if they have a data classification policy and if their employees are trained on handling different classifications of data. 

Examples of different data classifications include: 

  • Public 
  • Confidential
  • Private and Confidential  

This classification should drive security that protects the asset. For example, public data may require fewer safeguards than if the data were private and confidential. 

Incident response plan

Unfortunately, things can happen that can impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Remember, hope isn’t a strategy.

Be sure to ask the proctoring company if they have an incident response plan in place and how often they run through those plans in practice or simulations.

Vendor Security Assessment

Use this list of questions as a starting point for your vendor assessment/security questionnaire, but remember that you’ll need to customize your questions and requirements to meet your institution’s specific needs. 

It’s important to keep in mind that completing a vendor assessment or security questionnaire may add time to the procurement cycle, so make sure you account for additional time in your project timeline.

Examples of pre-configured security question sets:

  • Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire (CAIQ/CAIQ Lite):
    The Cloud Security Alliance’s CAIQ is a downloadable list of yes or no questions about security controls that can be customized based on your institution’s needs. It helps create accepted industry standards and increases security control transparency.
  • Vendor Security Alliance Questionnaire (VSA)
    The VSA Questionnaire is a list of questions maintained by a group of companies that can be used to evaluate a vendor’s security and privacy. The VSA questionnaire can help streamline the evaluation process to save time and reduce costs.
  • Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Tool (HECVAT)
    The HECVAT is a questionnaire created by EDUCAUSE’s Higher Education Security Council in collaboration with Internet2 and the REN-ISAC to help higher education institutions assess vendor risk.
  • NIST standard 800-171
    The NIST standard provides recommendations for protecting controlled unclassified information. While it’s often associated with government contracts, it can provide a wealth of information about supply chain security.

Review these resources and see how they can provide value in your overall vendor assessments. 

Don’t hesitate to modify or update your approach as you learn more about what is important to your business.

Security software and technologies

It’s important to remember that there is no single solution for security.

All of the security tools in this section, in combination with others, provide a layered approach to information security. 

  • Web Application Firewall
  • IDS/IPS 
  • Antimalware/Antivirus/Next Gen AV
  • SSO/MFA 
  • Logging tools 
  • Backups and Snapshotting 

While most foundational security doesn’t require additional purchases, technology can assist in making it easier to defend, remediate, and remove malicious threats. 

Web Application Firewall (WAF)
A Web Application Firewall is a defensive tool that filters, monitors, and blocks web traffic to and from a web service/application. 

Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
An Intrusion Detection System monitors network traffic and alerts to a threat. Intrusion Prevention Systems are designed to take action to block or remediate an identified threat. 

Antivirus/Anti-Malware
Antivirus and Anti-Malware are most often associated with security efforts, and they prevent, detect, and remove malicious software from the systems they run on. 

Next Generation Antivirus
Goes beyond signature-based detection and heuristics (or rule-based detection) because it’s a system-centric, cloud-based approach. It uses predictive analytics driven by machine learning and artificial intelligence, which combines with threat intelligence. This allows for the detection of zero-day threats and provides a much faster response than previously possible. 

What is a zero-day threat?
A zero-day threat, sometimes called a zero-day attack, is a new threat or malware variation that hasn’t been seen before, which makes it even more difficult to detect and protect against.

Single Sign-on and Multifactor Authentication
Allow for more secure and easy to manage identity and authentication management.

Single sign-on (SSO)
SSO provides a single source of truth for any integrated solution that allows for the centralized management of identity and authentication.

SSO also provides a much simpler onboarding and offboarding process for users. Because users will only need one password and login to access different tools.

Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Provides an extra layer of security even if credentials are compromised. Multifactor Authentication is used to ensure that users are who they say they are by requiring that they provide at least two pieces of evidence to prove their identity. Each piece of evidence must come from a different category: something they know, something they have, or something they are. MFA should be implemented wherever possible. 

MFA example: If a user’s credentials are compromised, MFA makes it difficult for the attacker to gain access. The user would get a notification on their phone that provides a one-time key. If the user didn’t request this key, they’ll know that something is suspicious and can report this activity to the technology or security team.

Logging tools
Logging tools allow organizations to discover nefarious activities before they spread to other systems. They also provide information for disaster recovery or incident response scenarios. It gives insight into what the attacker did or tried to do which helps with efficient remediation. These tools can also be configured to send an alert when certain actions or criteria are satisfied. 

Snapshots and backups
In the event that something happens that affects the integrity or availability of the data, a backup or snapshot can allow for an organization to restore the environment to a previous state. Snapshots are frequently taken and can usually be restored faster in situations of limited or targeted data loss. 

Recovery Time Objective & Recovery Point Objective

Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
Refers to the agreed-upon quantity of time that an application, system and/or process, can be down for without causing significant damage to the business, as well as the time spent restoring the application and its data. 

Recovery Point Objective (RPO)
Refers to the amount of data that can be lost within a period before significant harm occurs from the point of a critical event to the most recent backup. 

Understand these timelines and the impact they may have on your proctoring solution and high-stakes testing. 

Honorlock Security

Honorlock maintains a public-facing privacy policy that clearly states that we will never sell or monetize your data with third parties. The institution owns the data and retention is governed by the MSA. Click here for the latest version of the privacy policy.

Your data is encrypted in both storage and at rest
Honorlock utilizes Amazon Web Services for our secure hosting needs. 

Amazon’s data centers are SOC 3 certified and exercise some of the most stringent physical security in the industry. 

We take a security-first approach
At Honorlock, security is a foundational element of everything we do. 

We know that it’s much more effective to address security issues in the design phase of any system. We’re constantly working to integrate security earlier into the requirement and design process. 

We are focused on creating a company culture that’s informed and trained on security best practices

Employee onboarding
Before joining the organization, every new employee receives a background check and signs a Non-disclosure agreement. 

As part of our company onboarding, each employee undergoes security training that covers compliance, information security, data classification, data handling, reporting security incidents, and much more. 

Ongoing security training for employees
Honorlock conducts annual security and privacy training for employees.

We also employ proactive security testing that simulates attacks against our most valuable defense – our people.

It is not enough to put people in a training room once a year and go through a 30-minute PowerPoint. At Honorlock, we challenge everyone to think about how their actions will affect the data we are entrusted with.

We treat your data like we would want our data to be treated.
Before onboarding a new vendor or sub-service organization that has access to confidential data, Honorlock performs a vendor assessment to ensure that each vendor passes our security, data, and privacy requirements. 

Disaster recovery to prepare for the unexpected
Unfortunately, risks are always present. What’s most important is that an organization is prepared if something doesn’t go as planned. We have Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity plans that we test annually. We also operate our infrastructure in multiple availability zones, which increases our resiliency to downtime. 

Watch the video

How to Find Leaked Test Questions and Take Action

No matter how much time is spent creating test questions, test takers can quickly find and share them online.

To help overcome the issue, some exam administrators completely rewrite their exams and even use different question formats. But what happens if those are leaked too?

If the right technology isn’t in place, you’re just reacting and guessing instead of identifying the issue and taking action.

 

How do test takers find and share your test content?

Home work help sites

Homework help sites like Chegg and Quizlet make it simple to find and share test content.

Most of these sites were originally created to provide learners with access to more educational resources, but they’re easy to exploit for an unfair advantage.

It only takes a few minutes to find answers to test questions

Within minutes, learners can create an account and then find and share test questions and answers.

Even more concerning, exam administrators may even find that their test questions are copied and pasted on these sites in chronological order.

Most homework help sites have SMEs ready and waiting

Homework help sites can have a swarm of subject matter experts (SMEs) that are readily available to help learners get answers to questions, including your test questions.

Even though most of these sites have “integrity policies,” the SMEs are there to help learners, not to enforce academic integrity on the exam admins’s behalf.

How to find leaked test questions on the Internet

To find leaked test questions, exam admins basically have two options:

  1. Manually searching for all of their test questions on the Internet

  2. Automatically searching for all of their leaked test questions with technology

Obviously, manually searching for leaked test questions can be an overwhelming and time-consuming.

But Honorlock’s proctoring platform has technology that can automate this for you. Let’s explore.

What to know about Honorlock’s Search & Destroy™

Honorlock’s Search & Destroy™ technology searches the Internet for all questions used on the exam in a matter of minutes. If it finds leaked exam questions, exam administrators are given simple steps to take control of the situation.


How does Honorlock’s Search & Destroy™ work during proctored online exams?

1. Searches the Internet automatically
Search and Destroy is triggered as soon as Honorlock is enabled for a proctored online exam. In a few minutes, the technology searches the Internet to identify test questions that have been shared online.

2. Admins can review the search results

After the search is complete, admins can review the search results, which show the test questions that are at risk.

3. Take action

With one click, Honorlock’s Search & Destroy provides the ability to send takedown requests (per the Digital Millennium Copyright Act) to the sites displaying their copyrighted test questions. This also gives admins the ability to use these findings to update exam questions as needed.

Other ways to protect your online exams

Honorlock’s Search & Destroy technology is one layer of our advanced online proctoring solution.

Our proctoring software and services combine AI with live proctors to protect online tests while supporting test takers .

Our online proctoring software monitors each test taker for potential academic dishonesty and alerts a live proctor if it detects and potentially dishonest behavior. Then, the proctor can review the situation to determine whether to intervene or not. This approach to online proctoring can provide a less intimidating and non-invasive proctored testing experience for the test taker because they aren’t constantly being watched.

In addition to our blend of AI and live proctors, Honorlock’s online proctoring service and software can:

Our Search & Destroy feature, along with other advanced proctoring features, allows exam admins to take control of online exam integrity and provide test takers with a fair and equitable online test environment.

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Tyler Stike

Tyler is Honorlock's Director of Content and a doctoral student at the University of Florida focused on educational technology.

How to Create a Fair Test Environment With Educational Technology

4 example scenarios when using ed tech can help create a fair test environment

Ultimately, educators and institutions want to create a better online learning experience for all students. And part of that experience includes creating a fair and equitable testing environment for every student.

We’ll look at four real-life situations and show you how to use innovative educational technology to provide a fair experience for your students.

Scenario 1: The student lives in a busy household

Scenario 2: Students in class have disabilities or conditions

Scenario 3: Religious attire and accessories are worn by students during an exam

Scenario 4: Some students have access to cell phones and additional devices

Example scenario 1: A student living in a busy household

If a student lives in a busy household, it can be difficult to take an online exam in a quiet environment with no other people around them.

This situation can cause anxiety for a student taking an online proctored exam because they probably assume that they’ll be flagged if a family member or roommate walks by the room.

Use LMS exam settings and online proctoring

Students can take the exam at any time

Honorlock’s online proctoring services are available anytime. This allows each student to take the exam at a time that works for them – such as when family members are at work.

Instructors can advise the proctor of accommodations for students

If the instructor is aware of the student’s situation, they can provide the live test proctor with accommodation instructions that allow other people to be in the room and to expect voices and sound.

The instructor can add the guidelines for specific students. With this approach, students won’t need to worry about being flagged if someone walks into the room.

Scenario 2: The student has a disability or condition

About 1 in 5 students have a disability according to the US Department of Education. Disabilities can include physical conditions, visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities, and other health conditions.

Use online proctoring, exam settings, and accessibletechnology

Allowing accommodations to meet student needs

As mentioned in scenario 1, the instructor can use innovative educational technology to provide specific accommodations for individual students.

Accommodations can vary but here are just a few examples allowing

  • Extended exam time limits and due dates
  • Bathroom breaks as needed
  • Other people in the room to assist the student
  • Assistive technology and devices to be used during the exam

Using platforms that integrate with assistive technology and devices

Assistive technology gives each student a fair opportunity to engage with all software and hardware in the course, regardless of their conditions and disabilities.

A few examples of assistive technology are:

  • Screen readers
  • Assistive keyboards
  • Dictation software (speech-to-text & text-to-speech software)

Honorlock’s online proctoring software is innovative educational technology that is fully ADA accessible and compliant with Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It’s also developed and tested to conform to WCAG 2.0 level AA guidelines for accessible use.

Scenario 3: Religious attire and accessories are worn by a student during the proctored exam

Students may choose to wear religious attire and accessories during the proctored exam, such as hats and head or face coverings. However, some online proctoring services may flag students for wearing religious attire, which can cause added stress for the student.

Use Honorlock’s online proctoring services and provide accommodations

Instructors can provide specific accommodations that allow students to wear religious attire during the proctored online exam. This way, students won’t have to worry about being flagged and they can focus on the exam.

Scenario 4: Students with access to multiple devices

If advanced remote proctoring isn’t in place, students can easily use their cell phones or other devices to look up test answers. And if exams are only proctored using AI, such as browser lockdown software, students can still use other devices. This situation creates unfair advantages for students who may have multiple devices.

Use online proctoring to detect cell phones and other devices

Honorlock’s online proctoring software can detect cell phones when students attempt to use them to access test bank content during the exam.

Our proctoring software collects and provides evidence by:

  • Capturing a screen recording and creating a flag in the exam report
  • Sending an audible sound through the secondary device that will be picked up by the student’s computer microphone and audible on the exam recording
  • Alerting a live test proctor to enter the test session and address the situation
  • Providing the evidence to the instructor within the Honorlock dashboard after the proctored exam

Additional ways Honorlock’s online proctoring software helps protect exams and support students

Combining AI test monitoring software and live remote proctors

Honorlock combines AI with human proctors to provide a better testing experience for students. Our approach to remote proctoring provides a less non-invasive test experience for the student because they aren’t constantly watched.

Our proctoring software monitors each student’s online exam session and alerts a live proctor if any potential academic dishonesty is detected. The live proctor can then use an analysis window to review the situation before entering the exam session via chat-box in real-time to address the situation.

Helping reduce student test anxiety

It’s easy to understand why students can experience test anxiety – especially in an online environment when there are potential technology concerns or it may be their first online exam. But in a recent student survey, Honorlock’s combination of AI and live proctors was shown to help reduce student test anxiety.

“The proctor popping in was different than I expected – in a positive way. I imagined them being more strict. I felt that the proctor was helpful and a lot less intimidating than I thought.” – Student quote in a post-exam interview

Training live proctors to support students during times of stress

To further support students, Honorlock’s full-time remote proctoring team received training by a nationally certified counselor and educator on providing students with help and support during moments of test anxiety and frustration.

This human-centric communication helps students build confidence in the process and with our remote proctors.

Detecting voices

Our online proctoring software listens for specific keywords or phrases, such as “Hey Siri,” to identify students who may be attempting to gain an unfair advantage. If any voices are detected, the AI alerts a live remote proctor to enter the online exam session via chat to intervene and redirect the student.

Verifying student identity
Honorlock’s ID verification makes it quick and easy to ensure that the student taking the proctored exam is the student getting credit. The AI captures a picture of the student and their photo ID and they can begin the proctored online exam in about a minute.

Protecting test questions and answers
Faculty spend a lot of time creating test questions and answers only to find out that they’re being shared on the Internet. With Honorlock’s Search & Destroy(™) technology, instructors can know when their test questions are shared online and take actions to ensure their exams are fair and secure.

How does Honorlock’s Search and Destroy work?

1. Searches the Web
Searches the web to identify exam questions that have been shared online.

2. Instructors review results
Instructors can review results about exam questions that have been compromised.

3. Instructors take action
Instructors can choose to send content takedown requests (when applicable) and update their exam questions.

Providing in-depth reports

It’s important for instructors to understand student behavior and how they approach an exam. Honorlock’s online proctoring software collects extensive data during the exam and provides easy-to-read, actionable reports and time-stamped recordings within the LMS dashboard.

“Honorlock was more than a tool to guard or block students from using inappropriate information. It was also a means to detect and determine many different ways that students approach the exams. Because of access to the wealth of data/information through Honorlock, I became better able to utilize it.” – Ryan P. Mears, PhD University of Florida

Securing third-party exams

Honorlock’s remote proctoring software allows faculty to protect third-party exams outside the LMS on platforms such as MyMathLab, ALEKS, Pearson, and McGraw Hill.

When done right, remote proctoring creates a better testing experience.

Honorlock’s approach to remote proctoring focuses on keeping the human touch by doing what’s best for the institution and the student.

Our purpose is much more than catching students who are cheating – we strive to create a testing experience that supports honesty and integrity in a non-invasive, fair, and equitable testing environment.

Submit your email below to download our 5-part DEI eBook

Part 1: Addressing the need for DEI in online education

Part 2: Strategies to develop diverse, equitable, and inclusive online courses

Part 3: How to create accessible online courses (with real examples)

Part 4: Tips to improve your connection with students in an online learning environment

Part 5: How to use educational technology to create a fair testing environment

Tyler Stike

Tyler is Honorlock's Director of Content and a doctoral student at the University of Florida focused on educational technology.

Protecting Academic Integrity During Covid and Beyond

Remote proctoring during covid

Yet again, universities and colleges are adjusting plans because of COVID. With growing concerns about the Omicron variant, some institutions are delaying the semester start date, others are implementing vaccine mandates, and many are moving to a blended or online learning format.

“It’s a difficult time for colleges and these are difficult decisions… Universities and colleges need to ask, what is going to be our reality moving forward?… We have to accept how are we going to live with this virus in our environment.” – Dr. Robert Quigley, Senior Vice President and Global Medical Director at International SOS, said in an interview with University Business

Students want flexible learning options

While the future is uncertain, one thing is clear: online learning is here to stay.

In fact, a recent survey showed that since the COVID-19 pandemic started, about 73% of students indicated that they would like to take fully online courses or a combination of in-person and online learning.

Protecting academic integrity in online education during COVID and beyond

Online courses are great because they provide convenience for students and still allow high levels of engagement. 

But, many struggle with how to best protect academic integrity in online education and during exams.

Historically, some use browser lockdown software as a tool for preventing academic dishonesty. But it often doesn’t cut it because it’s easy to beat and an academic integrity policy is just a formality for some students. 

So, how can instructors administer online exams with confidence that they’re protected from academic dishonesty? Remote proctoring.

What is remote proctoring?

Remote proctoring, sometimes called online proctoring, uses software and/or services to monitor student behavior during online exams to deter, prevent, and identify cheating and to help students complete their exams.

What are the types of remote proctoring?

There are four primary types of remote proctoring:

  • Browser lockdown software: generic software that can prevent students from accessing other browsers
  • Live proctoring: a live remote proctor watches multiple students at once
  • Automated/AI proctoring: no live remote proctor is present & it only uses AI software to monitor student behavior during the online exam 
  • Blended remote proctoring: AI proctoring software monitors student behavior and alerts a live remote proctor if any issues are detected 

What are common remote proctoring features and how do proctored exams work?

There are common remote proctoring features such as: 

  • Video monitoring 
  • Voice detection
  • Browser lockdown software 
  • ID verification

Depending on the proctoring software’s LMS integration, it’s a pretty similar experience for students and instructors. Instructors create exams in the LMS like they already do and then pick and choose which proctoring features to use depending on their needs. Students simply log into the LMS and then before verify their ID and begin the proctored exam.

Other remote proctoring features needed to protect exams

In addition to the common features listed above, there are additional remote proctoring features that Honorlock provides for instructors to protect academic integrity in online education during their exams.

Detect cell phones and other devices

Most students have cell phones or another device which makes it easy for them to look up your test questions during the proctored exam. 

Some online proctoring services may have “cell phone detection” but that can just mean that a live proctor is watching the student and sees a cell phone in view. 

What if the student used their cell phone out of view? 

Honorlock’s advanced proctoring software can detect when a student attempts to access test bank content using a cell phone, tablet, or laptop during the online proctored assessment

Learn more about how Honorlock can detect cell phone use

A blend of AI software and live remote proctors

Honorlock was the first proctoring service to blend the benefits of AI proctoring with live remote proctors. The AI software monitors the student for potential dishonesty and alerts a remote live proctor to join the student’s exam session in real-time to address any issues.

Smart voice detection

Most proctoring services offer audio recording but Honorlock’s smart voice detection goes above and beyond by listening for specific keywords or phrases, such as “Hey Siri” while still allowing students who like to read out loud the ability to do so without being flagged.

Identify leaked exam questions and take action

Faculty spend a lot of time creating quality exam content, but it’s pretty easy for students to find and share the content on the internet if the right software isn’t in place.

Honorlock’s Search & Destroy™ technology searches the internet to identify exam questions that have been shared online and if leaked exam questions are found, instructors are given simple steps to take control of their exams’ integrity like sending content takedown requests when applicable and updating exam questions.

Implement Honorlock remote proctoring in two days

Just like the many higher education institutions we helped when the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, we’re ready to help your institution quickly implement remote proctoring in response to the Omicron variant.

We streamline the implementation process and can get your institution ready to proctor online exams in about two days. And to ensure that your faculty are confident and prepared, we provide support during and after the implementation as well as ongoing training resources.

Hear from two schools we’ve helped since COVID-19 started

University of Florida

Brian Marchman UF

“As challenging as the remote learning situation has been for the university, there have been many silver linings for us. A partnership with Honorlock has been one of them. We had not planned in our budget for any way to pay for this, so we had to find the funds and not put it on the backs of students, and they were able to make it work for us.”  – Brian Marchman, Director of Distance Learning & Continuing Education 

Broward College

“The pandemic has brought many challenges to Broward College. Having to quickly scale our courses to a remote format has not been an easy task… Honorlock has provided excellent support in scaling our needs and meeting our requirements for faculty training. They have been an excellent partner due to their open communication, privacy policies, and the implementation of their state-of-the-art technology. It has been an affordable and reliable solution.” – Nestor Pereira, Dean, Business Affairs

Read Broward College’s customer testimonial

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Tyler Stike

Tyler is Honorlock's Director of Content and a doctoral student at the University of Florida focused on educational technology.

Comparing Face Detection to Face Recognition

As face detection and facial recognition software become increasingly dynamic, people are understandably concerned about their privacy, and those taking online proctored exams have reported various negative experiences.

There are key differences between face detection and face recognition, and it’s important to be able to distinguish between the two, as both are used to varying degrees by online proctoring service providers.

For example, some online proctoring services use face detection while others use “continuous facial recognition” throughout the entire exam, which may be invasive and pose privacy and data issues.”

Comparing face detection and face recognition

Face recognition vs face detection comparison chart of differences

What is face detection?

Face detection uses AI technology that can determine when human faces appear in images. It uses algorithms to analyze and to separate faces from all the other features that may be present in an image—the baseline goal is to distinguish your face from a stop sign, for example, or from the adorable mug with your dog’s face on it.

Broader than face recognition

Face detection as a concept includes face recognition in some instances. If a system can isolate a face from the rest of an image, then it qualifies as “face detection.” But facial recognition is more specific and is just one of a range of capabilities under the rubric of face detection. Facial recognition uses biometric technology not just to recognize when a human face is present, but also to determine the identity of the person.

How face detection works

Our eyes, standing out as they do, are the first objects that face detection algorithms usually search for. The algorithm will then seek other features of our faces, and when it finds them it compares what it thinks is a face to large databases that definitely contain faces—as well as non-face images to make sure the algorithm is working properly.

The AI is essentially “trained” to identify whether images and videos contain faces or not. This training uses a seemingly endless number of images and video – some containing faces while others don’t – to help ensure ongoing improvements and overall accuracy.

What is face recognition?

Face recognition is one of the most significant applications of face detection. It’s able to capture someone’s image and know exactly who that person is. The technology isn’t 100% perfected yet, but if your image is already in a database, there’s a good chance that the owner of the database will be able to identify you.

What are the differences between how they work?

The steps below highlight the differences between how face detection and face recognition work. You’ll notice that face recognition goes beyond simply identifying that a face is present.

Face detection

Steps of how face detection works

How is face detection used in online proctoring?

If you are concerned about the implications of facial recognition technology when it comes to proctoring online exams, we at Honorlock understand. 

Honorlock does not use face recognition

We use face detection, which only detects that there is a clear human face in the webcam.

We do NOT identify any individual face, store facial elements, or match the face to a database. If no face is detected, however, or if multiple faces are detected, AI will flag the incident and a human proctor may intervene.

Safe for everyone involved

We take data privacy seriously. All data is secured. Data in transit and data at rest is encrypted and stored on the cloud in an Amazon (AWS) data center.  Amazon’s data centers are SOC 3 certified, U.S. Privacy Shield, and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant.

Facial detection is just one of the many online proctoring features that Honorlock uses to make sure test takers have a positive and secure remote testing experience. When you compare online proctoring services, be sure to check whether face detection is being used, rather than the more problematic face recognition. 

Speak with our online proctoring experts to see how Honorlock works. 

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 The eBook covers everything you need to know about establishing and using diversity, equity, and inclusion in your online classes.

Tyler Stike

Tyler is Honorlock's Director of Content and a doctoral student at the University of Florida focused on educational technology.

What is Academic Integrity?

Students hear a lot about academic integrity from their colleges and universities, especially at the beginning of each term and during the lead-up to final examinations. Fall orientations include information about honor codes and syllabi that refer students to handbooks for guidelines to avoid academic dishonesty. Academic integrity is a serious topic and worthy of periodic examination. 

What does academic integrity mean?

Academic integrity is a code of ethics for students to follow in their courses, exams, and overall behavior. Each student’s work should be their own. Students complete their own assignments, take their own exams, and earn their own grades.

Why academic integrity is Important

In our competitive world, academic integrity is important to ensure that students have a fair and equitable learning experience. Cheating not only hurts the student because it’s an unearned, hollow achievement, but it also robs honest students of the standing that they truly deserve and puts an institution’s reputation at risk.

Academic integrity protects the institution’s reputation

Institutions have a responsibility to safeguard the value of the degrees that they award. Reputation is everything, and no credible educational organization wants to be known as a diploma mill. Universities and colleges want to know that their students honorably earned their grades and possess the knowledge and skills required for their field.

When academic integrity is protected and the educational experience is fair and equitable, everyone wins.

How to create an honor code to deter academic dishonesty

One effective way that colleges and universities can deter academic dishonesty and create an environment of academic integrity is to institute an honor code, sometimes known as an “integrity policy” or “honor policy.” 

Honor codes have been shown for decades to reduce cheating by creating a community in which every student knows the standards and feels like a part of an institution that cares about them and their peers. 

Honor codes are built on a baseline of trust and students who learn in schools with them are known to encourage each other to be honest in their work. This way, potential academic dishonesty is deterred by their peers, which can help strengthen the bonds of community for students and faculty alike. 

Once an institution knows what its values are, it can write them down and make the honor code known to the entire community.

How to protect academic integrity

As online learning becomes more common, another way to protect academic integrity and prevent cheating is online exam proctoring.

Most students seem to understand that there has to be some way for schools to keep their online exams fair when the internet has made it easy for students to look up test answers. It’s important that students understand the type of online proctoring their school uses because it greatly impacts their online testing experience.

The advantages of online proctoring with Honorlock

Honorlock’s online proctoring software and services help create a fair and equitable testing environment that protects online exams and supports students throughout. 

Our approach to online proctoring blends the benefits of AI test monitoring software with live human proctors to create a less intrusive test environment that protects online exams and supports students.

We foster trust in students while protecting the academic integrity of degrees and programs. Our online proctoring software directly integrates with your existing LMS and allows instructors to customize college exams online, monitor performance, and generate robust analytics.

Students benefit from 24/7/365 scheduling of online proctored exams whenever and wherever they choose. 

How do Honorlock’s proctoring services work?

Honorlock upholds academic integrity with online proctoring that’s monitored by AI and reviewed by humans. Our software and live test proctors make the technical online exam proctoring experience simple, easy, and human.

Honorlock online proctoring provides:

A familiar testing environment
Honorlock’s direct LMS integration means that instructors will create exams just like they already do and students will take the exam in the environment they’re already comfortable with.

AI + live test proctors
If our AI test monitoring software notices possible academic dishonesty, it notifies our live test proctors who can intervene via chat to assess the situation and help the student get back on track. This approach to proctoring online exams can also help reduce student test anxiety. 

Detection of cell phone use
Our remote proctoring software can detect when a student attempts to access test bank content during the exam using their cell phone, tablet, and laptop. 

Video proctoring and voice detection
Our AI includes video proctoring using the webcam to monitor behavior coupled with our voice detection software which detects sound and listens for specific keywords or phrases, such as “Hey Siri” or “OK Google.”

24/7 proctored exams and support for students and faculty
Honorlock is on-demand, so students can take their proctored online exam when they’re ready and get support – any time, day or night.

60-second ID verification
Honorlock makes ID verification quick and simple by capturing a picture of the test-taker along with their photo ID and then they can begin their online proctored exam.

Test questions and content
Our remote proctoring software searches for leaked test questions and content and works with instructors to request the removal of the material. 

Access to reports and recordings
After the exam, we send a comprehensive report of potential incidents and a time-stamped recording to save time.

 We know that your reputation and academic integrity mean everything when it comes to attracting students and our online proctoring services play a critical role in your success. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to continually innovating to bring integrity, humanity, confidence, and positive outcomes to the proctored testing experience.

Speak with one of our experts to see how Honorlock works. 

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Tyler Stike

Tyler is Honorlock's Director of Content and a doctoral student at the University of Florida focused on educational technology.