Online Testing Technologies Victoria,Tania,Indu I.

Online testing allows students to take a test online at a location of their choosing, instead of at a set physical test site. II. Two basic technological options: A. Full-service online testing programs i. Example: Webassessor by Krypterion ii. It lets you create tests and other items, manage test takers accounts, and run reports on the test results. iii. It also provides multiple options for secure online testing a. monitoring by proctors via computer cameras b. computer lock-down to prevent student use of other programs/internet browsers B. Piece-meal programs: i. Example: Secureexam Remote Proctor by Software Secure ii. These programs have very narrow purposes (e.g. to provide security) and may be used in conjunction with other programs like ANGEL. iii. Examples of ways Secureexam helps insure online testing integrity: a. student identity verification using biometrics b. computer lockdown to prevent use of other programs/internet browsers c. record of sound and video of student taking the test Techniques for administering online exams without the need for proctors: Limit exam time OECP-1: Schedule exams for a specific time date and time OECP-5: Design the exam to be closed one the given exam time has expired Limit student access OECP-2: Limit access to the internet to 15 minutes. This places a limit on the time students have to sign in to the exam OECP-4: Allow students to work on only 1 question at a time OECP-6: Allow students to access the exam only once, rather than starting at one point, saving, and continuing again later. OECP-7: Use a program that locks the student out of online browsing during the exam, such as Respondus Lockdown Browser Change test characteristics OECP-3: Randomize the sequence of exam questions and the answer choices OECP-8: Modify or rotate out at least 1/3 of exam questions every term Cluskey GR, Ehlen CR, Raiborn MH. Thwarting online exam cheating without proctor supervision. Journal of Academic and Business Ethics. Pros Frees up teachers time Automatic grading, can receive instant feedback Eliminates proctoring Accessible and convenient for students Cons Time spent on learning the tool designing unambiguous exams Requires access to technology or secure testing sites Some security measures restricts taking tests

Time

Accessibility

Cost/Material Technology Cheating

Reduced cost over time Online data storage, reduced paper usage May still prevent cheating if carefully formulated

anytime Restricts movement to avoid cheating Technology/cost of test might be expensive Prone to technical difficulties Security measures could interfere privacy Creative cheating (who is taking the exam, writing homework)

Hovland, E. (2005, March-April). Online testing - a look into the near future.. Media Methods, 13, retrieved from www.media-methods.com