Faculty Overview
During the pandemic, many courses will be offering virtual options, including assessing students in Blackboard. Many faculty are concerned that online learning means more cheating in class, but multiple studies, tracking students who are taking online and face-to-face courses in the same semester have shown that students are NOT more likely to cheat online than they are face-to-face. Approximately 30% of undergraduate students admitted to some form of academic dishonesty in both types of delivery modes.
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 has been effect since 2010. Since that time, the institution is required to publish a list of all required and recommended books and other course materials for all classes offered at the institution at the time of student registration. As of July 29, 2020, no changes have been made to this federal regulation, so we cannot ask students to pay a fee for test proctoring at this point.
Fall 2020 Options for Preventing Academic Dishonesty
- Use SafeAssign plagiarism tool on Blackboard Assignments: SafeAssign is a plagiarism prevention tool that allows you to check the originality of an assignment submission against our institutional repository of student work and internet-based sources. Students should be allowed to view their originality reports. You can have students turn in work on a rough draft by checking the “do not add to repository” option on Submission Details, where the SafeAssign option is located on the Edit Assignment Options page. Blackboard SafeAssign Help for Instructors SafeAssign information for students
- Respondus Lockdown Browser: Software the student downloads on their personal computers. It functions as its name intends: a browser that prevents students from opening any other browser on their screen, prevents multiple tabs, or prevents access to other software. The download information for students and information on use can be found by logging into Bb and click on Tech Support on the top tab. The Assessment module contains information for Respondus.
- Respondus LockDown Browser with Monitor:For use in conjunction with LockDown Browser, records students taking exams and requires microphone and webcam. The program will flag suspicious activity and allow the instructor to review the video to investigate the activity that caused the video to be flagged.*Both tools require students to have high-speed internet access and their own device. These tools are not meant for users who have low-bandwith, or are trying to accomplish academic tasks on a mobile device.
Tips to Keep Students from Cheating
- If you use test banks, chances are, your questions and answers are already searchable on the internet. If you are using a new text, with new test bank questions, consider using only a portion of those questions at a time, and change them each semester.
- If you are using the Test tool in Blackboard, consider letting us help you create test pools for each chapter. Test pools can be used to created a Test made up of random blocks. Random blocks allow you to choose how many questions and question types from each pool you want to use and how much their point value is worth.
- Utilize various Test options like randomizing all of the questions on the test, setting a timer (never use Force Complete), or break up your testing materials into shorter tests.
- Offer varied assessments. Students deserve more opportunities than just multiple choice tests to show that they are competent. (If you’d like pedagogical considerations, please contact the Center for Teaching and Learning.)
Respondus Monitor is a webcam feature for LockDown Browser that records students during online, non-proctored exams. When this feature is enabled for a test, students are required to use LockDown Browser, plus a webcam and microphone. After the exam is complete, the instructor can view details of the assessment, even the recorded videos.
- How will I be able to accommodate or work with students who are testing in a public area?
- Did I remember to tell my students in the Syllabus that they should have access to a webcam and microphone?
Any exam that requires Monitor must also require LockDown Browser.
- On the Repondus dashboard (in Course Tools), set the exam so it requires the use of LockDown Browser. Several options are then available for Respondus Monitor. To require Monitor, select “Require Respondus Monitor for this Exam.”
- Now you will select items to be included in the student’s “Startup Sequence.” These are the steps a student must complete prior to the start of an exam. The settings are optional and can also be re-ordered by dragging and dropping them into the desired order. You will also be able to preview each item, as well as Edit your test to include instructions for certain items (if applicable).
- Webcam check
- Student Photo (will take photo)
- Show ID
- Environment check (show your surroundings)
- Additional instructions you would like to add.
Note: All of these items that you choose must be first given to the students in the Instructions area of the exam or prior to the exam. Otherwise, students may not have their ID with them or be unable to show their surroundings due to the nature of the test location they have chosen.
Once the video session report has been completed, instructors can access information about the exam sessions and can review the recorded videos. Respondus is meant to be a deterrent, so the instructor must determine the level of review warranted.
To review student videos:
- Return to the Respondus dashboard in Course Tools.
- From the drop-down arrow menu to the left of the test name, select Class Results.
- A roster of students in the course is shown, along with the date, time, duration of the test, review priority, and grade (if applicable).
- Click the plus sign [+] to expand the section for a student.
- Details of the startup sequence and the exam session are shown in thumbnails. Click a thumbnail to view the video from the time indicated. Videos can be marked as reviewed or have comments added by the instructor.
There are multiple planned webinars for the month of August. We encourage you to sign up for one of the dates on the Respondus Webinar site. This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including enhancements that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.
Independent Proctoring
View our Independent Proctoring website to see the list of options for using an independent proctor.
Student Overview
Some of your courses may require you to take proctored exams. If so, you will be notified within your course by your instructor on which method of proctoring is required.
To Schedule an Independent Proctor
- Step 1: Fill out form
- Step 2: Submit form to course instructor
Note: Upon receipt of this form, the instructor of record will approve or deny the application. The instructor reserves the right to reject a proposed proctor; should this occur the student must seek a new proctor prior to the examination date. Marshall University officials have the right to contact a designated proctor to establish credentials and may at any time request additional verification or mandate an alternate proctor. The proctor services may be terminated at any time by any or all three active parties (student, proctor, MU) with written notice to all parties involved.
On the day of your exam
- Bring a valid form of photo identification
- Bring all items required by your instructor to take your exam
Download Respondus Lockdown Browser
Click to download the Lockdown Browser. If your instructor requires the use of LockDown Browser, and possibly Monitor, you should download the link when the semester begins on any computer that you plan to test on. If you are using a public computer, you must work with the owner or establishment prior to downloading the browser. If you are on a Marshall campus, using a campus computer, the browser is already downloaded on the machine.