Online learning and virtual exams gained incredible popularity ever since the pandemic of 2020. Today, educational organizations have realized the immense potential and benefits of promoting eLearning as a major method of teaching. Everyone knows that eLearning is the future of education.
According to studies, the current Elearning industry is worth USD 339 billion. The eLearning industry has grown by a shocking 900% from 2000 to today. Industrial experts expect the online learning industry to triple in value by 2025. Market experts expect the industry to grow to an astonishing USD 1 trillion by 2032, with a CAGR of 14%.
Online learning is making education more accessible for all. This is the major reason why small and large educational institutes are shifting to online learning techniques. This technique has also become the top choice for students to pursue higher education. It also helps professionals to receive effective upskill training using online learning and assessment.
For an ideal online education, it is also important to have a reliable online examination system. So, if you already use online learning pedagogy then you should consider integrating an online examination system in your college ERP too.
In this guide, we will help you navigate the future of education. Let’s explore online examination systems and the importance of having a reliable online proctoring exam solution.
Why Do You Need Online Proctoring for Exams?
As education has moved to virtual platforms, it has faced several significant challenges. The main challenge is maintaining integrity and academic honesty with online exam platforms. As education methods become dynamic the conventional in-person proctoring method is proving inadequate. However, these challenges are easily overcome by integrating online proctoring exam systems with reliable online exam platforms.
An online proctoring system preserves academic integrity and ensures effective assessment of students. Virtual proctoring systems are more than just online anti-cheating tools. They cultivate a culture of integrity and trust in today’s dynamic educational landscape.
Owners and decision-makers of every type of educational institution need to know everything about online proctoring for exams.
What is an online proctored exam? How Do Online Proctored Exams Work?
What Is Online Proctoring For Exams?
Proctoring is the process using which invigilators ensure the authenticity of the examinee/test-taker. It also involves preventing the test-takers from cheating by keeping an invigilator present on the virtual platform during the exam. A proctor is another name for an exam invigilator. These are highly qualified individuals who are trained to monitor an exam, ensure a smooth test, and prevent cheating by test-takers.
Online proctoring for exams allows students to appear for the test from anywhere. It also ensures that the integrity of the examination is maintained. Virtual exam systems require students to authenticate their identity to virtual invigilators over an online exam platform. This is done through high-quality video technology. The live video feed is useful to identify any student who behaves suspiciously or tries to cheat during the exam.
Various online examination systems have been used in different forms for more than 20 years now. However, it is high time that you install a trusted online exam platform. It should have an integrated online proctoring exam feature for the most efficient virtual assessment process.
What Are The Different Types Of Online Proctoring For Exams?
There are different types or modes of monitoring used in online proctoring for exams. Each of these modes fulfills specific requirements and particular preferences for educational institutions.
The different types of monitoring techniques used in online proctoring exam systems are -
1. Automated Proctoring
Automated proctoring is also known as auto-proctoring. This is a completely automated proctoring technique. It uses advanced AI algorithms to monitor the behavior of the test-takers during the exam. It supervises activities, movements, patterns of gaze, and other possible indicators of cheating during the online exam. It automatically identifies and marks suspicious activities by students and highlights them for effective assessment.
2. Live Proctoring
The live proctoring technique requires a human invigilator to monitor the online exams using a video camera feed. This online proctoring technique allows invigilators to be interactive and offer instructions on the go. The technique also lets online invigilators take appropriate action in case they detect any cheating during the test.
3. Recorded Proctoring
The recorded proctoring technique video-records the entire exam so invigilators can review it later. Though it may not sound as effective, this mode of proctoring does effectively detect instances of cheating. This way, invigilators can take corrective action, or impose penalties, during the evaluation process following the online exam.
How Online Proctoring Exams Work?
There are several technical mechanisms behind online proctoring exam systems that you need to know about. For instance, online examination systems use various advanced technologies to prevent cheating and ensure exam integrity.
Here is how the technical aspects of online proctoring techniques work -
AI-powered Behavior Analysis
This involves using AI-powered behavior analytics tools. These are designed to carefully monitor the test-taker’s behavior. It detects facial expressions and tracks eye movements. It also analyses body language to identify potential cheating activities. This system detects and notifies of suspicious movements, such as excessive motion, or looking off-screen. It then automatically triggers an alert for online invigilators to take appropriate action.
Keystroke Analysis
The virtual proctoring system is designed to monitor keystroke patterns. This is effective in determining the habit of typing and rhythm of individual students. When a student deviates from their normal typing behavior it triggers an alert for the online proctor to take further action.
Plagiarism Detection
Modern online proctoring exam systems also have integrated plagiarism detection features. These are powered by advanced AI which constantly scans the answer sheets in real-time. It compares the student’s written responses against an immense database of online content and academic resources.
How the online proctoring exam system works with this step-by-step guide
1. Pre-Test Preparation
Before the online exam starts, the online proctoring exam system allows invigilators to give pre-test instructions. These include examination guidelines, goals, technical requirements, etc.
During this, the student also installs the required software and performs a system check. The students need to ensure that their microphones and webcams are switched on and working properly before the exam starts.
2. Identity Authentication
The online proctoring exam system then prompts test-takers to identify themselves. It immediately verifies their permit to appear for the online exam. Identity verification is done using various methods, such as biometric ID or photo identification.
3. Environment Scan
The online exam platform with an integrated online proctoring exam system also checks the examinee’s surroundings. It visually scans the room the student is in to ensure there are no unauthorized learning materials nearby.
4. Examination Monitoring
The online exam system uses human proctors and AI algorithms to supervise the test-taker’s actions during the exam. The system automatically triggers an alert for proctors if it detects any deviation from normal behavior and activities on the examinee’s end.
5. Live Proctoring
Advanced online proctoring systems also allow human invigilators to interact with examinees in real time. This allows invigilators to give instructions and intervene in case of any irregularities.
6. Post-Exam Analysis
The virtual assessment system also performs several tasks once the online exam is over. For instance, it allows invigilators to review video recordings of the examinee from the exam. Any alerts that were raised during the exam are also checked during this. The invigilator can verify any suspicious behavior and determine the appropriate corrective action required.
Who Needs Online Proctoring Exam System?
All types of educational institutions, organizations, and assessment providers can use online proctoring exam systems.
Here is a list of who needs online proctoring exam solutions -
Online Education Providers
Various types of online education providers, such as schools, universities, and MOOCs need online proctoring exam tools. This is required to ensure that their online exams are up to the standard. Effective assessment is a common challenge for educational institutions that provide eLearning services.
For educational organizations, there are two major challenges. They need to have strong student authentication methods and fool-proof anti-cheating tools.
We know that online proctoring for exams has become crucial in online education. It helps to verify the identity of the student appearing for the online exam. It also ensures that students are not cheating during the exam. In addition, online exam platforms also assess student performance automatically.
Exam Services
Exam service providers who offer testing and ready-made examination sets also find online proctoring for exams very helpful. This technology makes online assessments cheaper and faster for their clients. It provides on-demand tests that improve user experience and enhance usage of online exam solutions. With this, exam service providers can take their business to the global level. It also generates higher revenue opportunities.
Exam service providers find online proctoring systems helpful for performing various tests. These include recruitment tests, certification exams, pre-admission tests, etc.
Certifying Bodies/Agencies
Online proctoring exam systems are useful for certifying agencies to conduct credentialing exams globally. By letting students take certification exams from remote locations the agency can scale their business significantly. An online exam platform helps certifying boards become more competitive by not having to lease an exam center or third-party assessment agency.
Certifying agencies can also keep visual records in storage whenever required for an audit. Hence, online proctoring exam systems are prominently used by organizations that provide certification for Big Data, Salesforce, Microsoft, etc.
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How To Choose The Best Online Proctoring Exam System?
Now that we know just how useful a virtual assessment solution is, let’s look at how to choose the best online proctoring exam system.
These are the major aspects to consider before buying an online exam platform with built-in assessment tools -
Compatibility
Online proctoring exam systems need to be compatible with existing learning management systems and assessment software. Advanced online exam assessment solutions require using their assessment software. They often allow you to run the online proctoring system parallel to existing assessment software.
Sturdiness
The online assessment software should also be robust. It should be sturdy enough to handle high-speed data exchange as virtual exam systems involve screen-sharing and video recording. Any glitches due to weaknesses in the assessment software can affect the student’s performance in the exam.
Automation
The virtual evaluation solution you choose should also automate the entire assessment process. The ability to conduct exams and promptly generate reports through automation is a crucial requirement for educational institutions, exam service providers, certification agencies, etc.
Conclusion
Online proctoring exam systems are the future of virtual exams all over the world. This solution is having far-reaching outcomes, as increasing numbers of educational institutions and assessment organizations are moving to online exam platforms with virtual proctoring tools. These digital solutions help make the entire assessment process streamlined, efficient, and effective. They provide an ideal way for educators and businesses to ensure top-quality standards during their online exams.