Southeast Community College Virtual Learning Proctoring Philosophy

Transcription

1 Southeast Community College Virtual Learning Proctoring Philosophy As early as January 1998 Southeast Community College saw a need to provide education to students who were time-bound, place-bound, or both. That need led to the birth of online education at SCC. Our goal at SCC has always been to provide the same high-quality education at a distance as in the face-toface environment, and using the Internet was and is a method to deliver that high-end education. SCC Online also embraces collaborative learning as a preferred method for online learning. This method assures that students have a vibrant learning experience, with multiple opportunities to interact with peers and the instructor, to complete homework and projects together, to join in group discussions, and to participate in a wide number of intellectual activities. Such collaborative learning engages students in an active learning process for which they take responsibility and through which they contribute to the learning of their peers. Out of providing educational opportunities to place- and/or time-bound students grew exponentially the desire for online courses from a number of student populations beyond our original targeted student population. With that growth, like most institutions, came a robust offering of courses on the Web. As online courses grew and became more popular, not only at Southeast Community College but at colleges across the nation, a concern came about asking if the student completing the assessments was the same student taking the course. The answers to the question are similar whether the course is faceto-face or online. First and foremost, the online instructor should: Incorporate more than one type of an assessment. Be aware that totally objective tests make it easier for students to cheat. Use robust graded discussions that require the student to engage the content and process how to apply what they are learning. Employ multiple copies of exams, scramble questions and answers, and change the exams each term. Seek help from the instructional design staff on how to use design tips and techniques to curb cheating. Use time requirements during the exam process. Incorporate written assignments that can be uploaded and reviewed by the instructor. Southeast Community College uses unique IDs and passwords for students to access their online course(s) as well as a talented online design staff to assist faculty, so that the need for proctored exams is almost non-existent. However, from time to time or subject matter, limited proctoring at SCC may need to be considered. Therefore, the following guidelines have been established. Southeast Community College Virtual Learning Proctoring Guidelines: Proctoring should be considered very carefully and faculty need to take into account the student who is either place-bound or time-bound or both. Every attempt needs to be made to accommodate those students. Many times they may live within an hour s drive of an SCC campus but would not be able to

2 go to one of SCC s testing facilities to take an exam due to time constraints. Others may live at distances that make it unreasonable to commute to an SCC campus. The steps to include proctoring exams are as follows: Faculty Responsibility: No more than two major events in an online course may be proctored. If an instructor wants to proctor one or two major events like a midterm and final exam, they will need to contact one of the instructional design staff, so the instructional design staff member can conduct an evaluation on the course to confirm the use of collaboration and communication techniques as well as cheat deterrents. If those techniques are in place and the integrity of the course is still in question, up to two major events may be approved for use in the online course that would require proctoring. After the student submits the proctor list, the instructor will make final proctor selection, contact the proctor, and complete the proctor approval form no later than two weeks prior to the first exam. Failure to approve the proctor and notify the proctor and student of the proctoring arrangement within the designated time frame will make the need for a proctor null and void, and the instructor will make the test available to the student online at the designated testing time frame. Student Responsibility: Students who live within reasonable commute distance of a Southeast Community College campus will be required to take the exam in the testing center unless they are a time- or placebound student and can verify that they are unable to come to a campus testing center. Students who are time/place bound or live outside of a reasonable commute distance from an SCC campus will need to identify possible proctors as needed for up to two major events in the course. a. Proctor suggestions are as follows: i. The consortium of College Testing Centers ii. Teacher, professor, librarian or administrator in a nearby public secondary school, college, university, library, or testing center iii. A commissioned officer whose rank is higher than the student s own iv. A corporate education director v. An employer or Chamber of Commerce Director vi. Local college Testing Center staff vii. The use of Skype so the instructor of the course can monitor the student via a webcam b. Note: Proctors cannot be family members, friends, co-workers or anyone who has a vested interest in the student s success in the course c. Proctor list will be submitted to the instructor Any cost for the proctor is incurred at the student s expense

3 Suggested random use of proctoring may occur during the course term. Proctor Responsibility: Exams will be administered at the proctor s school or place of business, never at the proctor s or student s home. All exams will be accessed online. Proctors will verify the identity of the student with a photo ID and read all of the exam instructions to the student before he or she begins the exam. Proctors will closely monitor the student until he or she is finished with the exam and ensure the student does not leave the room, except for an emergency. To access the online exam, the proctor will be ed a password or link from the instructor. Please do not give the student the password for online exams. The proctor will access the exam online using the password and will be required to verify that he or she is accepting proctor responsibilities. Students are not allowed to open any browsers or computer files during the online exam unless otherwise specified. The online exam cannot be printed unless specified in the exam instructions. Students are not allowed to take the exam with books, notes, or reference aids of any kind unless specified in the exam instructions. Students cannot take notes about the exam or attempt by any other means to copy any part of the exam. The student or proctor cannot print or duplicate the exam. The exam should be submitted online in the provided SCC Moodle course or other arrangements that the instructor and proctor agree on. Any cost for the proctor is incurred at the student s expense. Proctor Forms can be found in the appendix.

4 Proctor Approval Request for Off-Campus Examinations Student Responsibilities Instructions: The student proctoring request forms are used by students enrolled in an online course who do not live within driving distance of Southeast Community College (i.e. over 30 miles from campus) or are timebound by work, family or other constraints which would not allow them to drive to campus during testing hours. It is the student s responsibility to find a suitable proctor. Once the forms are completed, the students should return the forms to his/her instructor for approval. (Exam passwords will not be submitted to a proctor until the proctor has been approved.) Step 1: Identify a suitable proctor. A prospective proctor may be found within the following professions: The consortium of College Testing Centers Teacher, professor, librarian or administrator in a nearby public secondary school, college, university, library, or testing center A commissioned officer whose rank is higher than the student s own A corporate education director An employer or Chamber of Commerce Director Local college Testing Center staff The use of Skype so the instructor of the course can monitor the student via a webcam Note: Proctors will have the capability to supervise a computer with an internet connection. Proctors may not be: Family members, relatives, friends, or co-workers A current student of Southeast Community College Anyone who has a vested interest in the student s success in the course Step 2: Print this page and the two proctor approval forms (2 pages) Step 3: Complete the forms with the proctor. (Proctor Approval Form #1 and Proctor Approval Form #2) Step 4: Submit the two completed forms to your instructor either by fax/mail/ . Note: The forms will be received by the instructor two weeks prior to the date of the exam. Step 5: Confirm testing dates with proctor and instructor. Test Date 1: Test Date 2: Step 6: Reimburse proctor for any expenses, if applicable, before exam is given. Please review the Southeast Community College s Academic Integrity Policy in the Student Handbook under the Code of Conduct:

5 Proctor List Form #1 Student Information: (Student will complete form # 1.) Student Name: ID#: Mailing Address: City State Zip Code: Contact Phone Number: Address: Course Number: Course Name: Exam Requested: Date exam is to be taken: Proctor list Name Title Affiliation Phone Number Address Return this completed form to your instructor via mail/ /fax Instructor Name: Address: Fax Number: Mailing Address:

6 Proctor Approval Form #2 Proctor Responsibilities Please read the following information before agreeing to proctor an examination. In order to ensure the integrity of the examination procedures, the following procedures will be followed. Any deviation from these procedures may invalidate the examination. 1. The student will identify himself/herself with a picture ID at the time of the examination. 2. The exam will be opened in the presence of the student. If the exam is online, the proctor will type in the password to access the exam. 3. The student s exam time limit is determined by the instructor (2 hours or less). 4. The proctor will follow the instructor s test procedures for the exam. 5. The proctor will personally observe the student throughout the examination period and attest to the integrity of the student s work. 6. The student is not allowed to have a copy of the examination or to make a copy of the examination or any part of it. No copies of the examination may be made for any purpose. The examination will be returned to Southeast Community College with the student s answers if written. 7. Immediately upon the conclusion of the time allotted for the examination, the proctor should: a. Collect from the student all the examination materials. b. The student should save their exam, submit the exam, and close their browser under the supervision of the proctor. We appreciate your rendering this important service to the student. If, however, you feel that you cannot personally proctor the examination under these procedures, please decline the student s request. If you accept this responsibility, please indicate your acceptance by signing below. The student will take the exam on the following date: I accept the responsibility for proctoring the examination according to the procedures outlined. Signature: Date: Printed Name: Return this completed form to the SCC instructor of record for this class by Fax/mail/

7 Proctor Instructions Instructor Test Procedures Instructors may make modifications to this page. In order to ensure the integrity of the examination procedures, the following procedures will be followed. Any deviation from these procedures may invalidate the examination. 1. The student will identify himself/herself with a picture ID at the time of the examination. 2. The exam will be opened in the presence of the student. If the exam is online, the proctor will type in the password to access the exam. 3. The student is allowed a maximum of hours for completing the examination, not to exceed 2 hours. 4. Instruments allowed during exam: Books Scrap Paper Calculator Computer Open Notes Open Books Other: 5. Other Specific Information: