Things to avoid while executing Online Exam Software
Online examination software has been gaining popularity among institutes over the last few years owing to the increasing adoption and implementation of e-learning programs and distance learning courses in colleges. However, many institutes are new to the concept and find it difficult to adopt new ways as there is always a fear of not implementing it correctly or not choosing the right system.
To help you with that, here is a list of things you must avoid while executing an online examination software-
Not Implementing Proctoring Technology-
Proctoring technology is one of the important ways of ensuring the integrity of the institute. It helps to eliminate the risk of students trying to cheat in exams online. There are multiple ways in which students attempt cheating practices during online exams such as-
- Using a phone or book or any inanimate objects
- Taking help from someone else during an exam
- Searching questions and answers on websites
- Asking for answers from other students who have attempted the exam
- Pasting answers from other browsers or tabs
- Another person is attempting the exam in name of the student and
- Others
This creates a lot of risk during the online exam as there is no invigilator to monitor the students because they are situated remotely. Hence, there is a need for an online proctoring solution that will help the institutes to monitor the students wherever they are located. Hence, online proctoring software must be used to ensure the institute’s integrity.
The proctoring software enables the institutes to eliminate the risk of cheating and other malpractices conducted by students. It offers real-time monitoring of the students when they are attempting an exam. The system uses a student’s device camera to take frequent snapshots of students’ activities during the exam. All these screenshots are recorded for future use if required.
It also disables copy, paste, and cut options in the exam window, to avoid cheating. Further, the system does not allow the students to open any other browser or tab during the exam. Moreover, on noticing any unusual activities from the students, the software gives a pop-up message to the invigilators and warns the students to not repeat it. If the student repeats it, the exam gets automatically terminated.
Not Conducting Student Authentication-
Student authentication and verification are important aspects of security that must be carried out during online sessions. In the traditional methods of conducting exams, the students visit the school and colleges regularly which makes them familiar to the faculty members. Further, their parents visit the institutes for collecting report cards or paying fees and admitting the student and others. Further, even if the student is unknown, they have a unique hall ticket that verifies the student’s face during the test.
However, in the online method of education, the classes are also conducted online along with exams, hence the teacher has rarely seen the student or knows them well. This makes it important for the system to conduct student authentication and ensure that they are attempting exams with good intentions and not for stealing data, attempting fraud, or any such activities.
Hence, the software requires the students to register online for the exam where they have to submit the following details-
- Personal Information
- Contact details
- Previous Mark sheet
- Admission Confirmation
- Previous Degree Certificates
- Fees Payment Confirmation and
- Others
The online examination system collects student data and gives them a unique ID that can be used by them to attempt the exam. This helps them to ensure that there is no security breach during the test. Moreover, the students have to verify themselves just before the exam to ensure that there is no impersonation happening during the test.
Neglecting System Security-
The rising digitization and increase in the adoption of technology across the globe are encouraging institutes to adopt digital methods of management and teaching-learning in schools and colleges. However, they are constantly at risk of being attacked by a hacker or cyber thief. Several institutes and organizations are making excessive investments to ensure data security over the years.
Every day there is loads of data collected in the institute from students, admin, finances, admissions, vendors, fees collection, and others. This data needs to be kept secure and safe to avoid any data manipulation, leakage, hacker attacks, and other risks. It also contains confidential information about the institute regarding investments and financials.
Security should be a major concern for the institute when choosing an online examination system. It can be achieved in the institutes in the following ways-
- Cloud Storage-
The online assessment software must be stored on a cloud platform to offer high security and easy data storage. The system also enables the institutes with a provision for easy data backup options. It provides centralized storage for all authenticated users.
- Data Encryption-
Implementation of data encryption technology in the online examination system ensures the security of passwords, bank details, and other confidential information of the institute.
- Role-Based Access-
The online assessment software offers role-based access to the teachers and students based on their responsibilities in the institute. It ensures high data security.
- High Awareness-
Creating awareness among teachers and students regarding the importance of strong passwords, secured usage and types of malicious attacks can help to reduce the risk of cyber attacks.
Not Training the Students-
The online examination system implemented in the institutes must be easy to use for all the teachers and students in the institute. It should not create more issues such as understanding and using the online software. Hence, the ERP vendor must offer rigorous training to the students and faculty members for using the software.
Further, the vendor must provide complete handholding to the institute whenever and wherever it is required. The software is equipped with advanced technologies such as AI to conduct data analysis and BI technology to give graphical data representation. This will help the institute and teachers to make data-driven decisions in several important aspects of management and teaching-learning.
The students and teachers might not well know about these technologies and hence are likely to miss out on using the software efficiently. Hence, the ERP vendor must help the institute to train and help the faculty and students in case of any difficulties.
Difficult Exam Procedure-
The online examination software should be easy to use for teachers and students. All the students must be well equipped with-
- How to begin the exam?
- How to submit the exam?
- How to connect with invigilators in case of difficulties?
- How to go to the next question?
- What causes a warning pop-up to occur?
- How many warnings before exam termination?
- Where can they see their scores?
- How to check personalized feedback?
The institute must conduct mock tests to enable the students to get a hold of all activities that are to be conducted during the exam. Also, they can make use of the online chat option to connect with invigilators in case of any difficulties or technical issues.
Further, the teachers should be aware of how to create question papers. They must be given a set of instructions that are to be followed before creating questions. Further, inviting the students for the exam on a particular date and time, understanding the overall performance, and taking measures to guide the students during lectures must also be taken care of by the teachers.
Conclusion-
The institute can conduct online exams with ease by ensuring high security, report generation, and intuitive software. The online examination system is a robust solution equipped with advanced technology that helps to improve the efficiency and accuracy of exam conduction. The system can be customized as per the institute’s needs.
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