How AI Proctoring is Facilitating Accessible Online Exams

28, Feb 2024

It's incredible to think about how much technology has transformed education over the years!

From online courses to interactive learning tools, we've come a long way. It's fascinating to see how these developments have shaped the educational system into what it is today.

With learning management systems and smart classrooms, teachers can now create interactive and easily trackable learning environments.

Similarly, online exam platforms help automate the examination process. It makes exams comprehensive, accurate, and quick. This platform simplifies the work for teachers, and it also has numerous benefits for students and invigilators.

When it comes to preventing cheating on online tests and assessments, there is room for improvement. Online exam software ensures cheat-free and monitored examinations.

As a result, both AI proctoring and online proctored exams are becoming more common in the educational sector.

What Is Online Exam Proctoring?

Online exam proctoring is an online assessment where tech-enabled remote proctoring software monitors the student throughout the entire process. It uses video and audio elements to prevent cheating, ensuring a high level of security during the examination.

Online proctored exams are designed to maintain strict supervision and eliminate any unauthorized incidents. This enhances the integrity of the testing process.

Educational institutions use proctoring software to ensure the integrity and safety of remote assessments.

This software is installed on a student's device and is essential in avoiding academic duplication. It confirms the student’s identity, and throughout the examination, it monitors them using audio and video feeds.

A human invigilator or an automated system supervises the online exam. It depends on the proctoring solution established.

How Does An Online Exam Platform Work?

The online exam platform works by digitizing the entire process involved in a paper-based test using online exam software.

Let's break down each step of the process facilitated by the online exam platform:

Online exam platform

Test Creation

Administrators have various options to prepare interactive and effective online tests.

The platform provides various question types. It allows for the creation of subjective, objective, or multiple-choice question tests.

Questions can be selected from an existing test library or generated by uploading them effortlessly.

Conducting Test

Online exam software manages the administration of large-scale exams easily. It assesses a large number of individuals methodically.

Examiners can categorize candidates into groups and then assign individual tests to each group and conduct multiple tests concurrently.

Proctoring of Test

Ensuring test integrity is essential during online examinations.

A high-quality online assessment system includes an integrated proctoring system to create a cheat-proof testing environment.

The online proctored exam system handles candidate authentication at the beginning of the test. It records the entire test session in audio and video, enhancing test security.

Evaluation of Test

The final and crucial step involves result generation, reporting, and feedback. The online exam platform is a comprehensive and instantly accurate reporting system.

Based on the marks that the test creator assigned, the software quickly assigns a score to the test paper. The generated test report shows scores for each subject, section, and question, providing valuable insights.

The Functionality Of Online Exam Platforms

The importance of online exam platforms goes beyond just giving exams. These platforms incorporate advanced algorithms and machine learning to proactively detect suspicious behavior.

For example, they can track eye movement, keyboard activity, and even flag instances of multiple faces in the webcam feed. It maintains a comprehensive approach to security.

An additional factor in creating a safe online exam environment is the platforms' incorporation of AI proctoring features.

Automated flagging of potential violations allows for prompt intervention and maintains the exam's integrity without disrupting the student’s experience. Additionally, these platforms provide a range of security options.

According to the sensitivity and nature of the exam, it enables institutions to tailor the level of monitoring.

Online Proctoring Software - A Complete Guide

Introduction To AI Proctoring

Recent developments in online education have resulted in a notable change in the way exams are administered. As traditional pen-and-paper examinations increasingly give way to online assessments, the need for robust security measures becomes paramount.

This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) proctoring emerges as a game-changer.

AI proctoring simply means the use of artificial intelligence technologies to monitor and secure online exams. It uses leading technology to ensure the accuracy of online tests.

AI proctoring is unlike traditional proctoring methods, which often rely on human invigilators physically present in the examination hall. It identifies any suspicious activity or possible rule violations. Through audio analysis and webcam feeds, it continuously records exam sessions.

On the other hand, AI algorithms can distinguish between normal exam behaviors and irregularities. This ensures a fair and secure testing environment for all participants.

AI proctoring requires the use of online exam platforms and software. These tools form the backbone of the entire system and provide the infrastructure needed to conduct online exams securely.

Online exam platforms are virtual arenas where exams take place. The exam's structure and regulations are managed by the smooth integration of AI proctoring functionalities.

The Impact of AI Proctoring on Accessibility

AI proctoring significantly manages accessibility concerns in online exams. It allows for a more inclusive educational system. Students can take exams from the comfort of their homes thanks to remote monitoring capabilities, which remove the need for physical location.

Moreover, AI-driven automated accommodations serve diverse needs. It ensures that every student, regardless of their abilities or requirements, can participate on equal ground.

Examples of enhanced accessibility include features like speech-to-text for students with hearing impairments. It also has customizable font sizes for those with visual challenges. This allows for additional time allocations for individuals requiring extra support.

Different Methods Of Remote Proctoring

Below are Various Types of Remote Proctoring Methods:

Online exam platform

Image-Based Proctoring

Image-based proctoring helps students facing unstable internet connections, especially in rural areas.

In areas with limited bandwidth, image-based proctoring efficiently captures pictures of students at regular intervals. This method works well in low-internet bandwidth areas where other proctoring methods may struggle.

The system can be configured to capture images at specific times, even with a low internet speed.

Audio-Based Proctoring

Audio-based proctoring is a recent innovation in proctoring technology. It effectively scans the physical environment of students for additional noise. It uses the candidate's microphone to identify details like whispers, mumbling, and low sound levels.

During the examination, this AI-powered feature differentiates between acceptable and unacceptable sounds. The system sends alerts upon detecting unusual noises or conversations indicative of cheating, allowing the remote invigilator to take prompt action.

Video-Based Proctoring

Video-based proctoring is widely used by educational institutions and can be implemented in two ways: live-streamed and recorded exams.

In live-streamed exams, examiners monitor student activity in real time and mark suspicious behavior.

Recorded exams involve capturing the entire examination. It allows the examiner to review the stored feed in the cloud for any untoward actions. If any unethical activity is detected, the student's examination is flagged, and a report is sent to the authorized person.

Candidate Authentication

Candidate authentication handles issues related to students using unethical means and concerns about identity verification.

To verify a student's identity during an exam, AI-powered methods such as facial recognition evaluate the student’s features. It compares them to the student’s previously registered photos.

This increases security by reducing the number of proxy attendance incidents and ensuring the validity of the candidate's identity.

Object Detection Technology

Object detection technology identifies and tracks objects in the student's environment, such as smartphones, using the same algorithm. If unauthorized objects are detected, the tool sends a message asking the student to remove them.

Chatbots

Chatbots have an important role in remote online proctoring. It uses AI-powered software programs to provide real-time support to students during exams.

Students can use chatbots to seek assistance with technical glitches or logistical issues.

AI-Powered Tool for Secure Online Proctored Exams

An AI-driven tool enhances the efficiency of remote proctoring. It automates online exams and reduces dependence on human intervention while ensuring data accuracy.

It Offers:

  • Credible Exam Results : This ensures the highest credibility of exam results, eliminating bias.
  • User-Friendly : The platform is convenient and easy for candidates and educators to use.
  • Low-Bandwidth Compatibility : It works seamlessly even with low-bandwidth internet connections.
  • Cheating Prevention : To stop cheating, it has face recognition and speech detection features.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication : This is used in conjunction with other authentication methods to reduce the possibility of fraudulent identities.
  • Secure Browser Technology : For increased security when taking exams, it is outfitted with secure browser technology.

Conclusion,

Online exam platforms are adopted for assessing student education. It provides teachers with a standard process for evaluation.

However, it is not appropriate to administer these tests without adequate technological support. The adoption of AI proctoring for online exams has a revolutionary effect on the educational system. It opens the door to a more accessible examination method and addresses the serious security issues related to online assessments.

The role of online exam platforms and online exam software as integral components cannot be overdrawn. They are the technological foundation for this change.

Posted By -
Gurudev Somani

Gurudev Somani,
Academic Consultant