Dear all,
Over the past several weeks we have been receiving feedback and questions from the students around the completion of their exams – both from students that are studying or have completed an online subject as well as students enrolled into Semester 1, 2020 subjects.
After a number of weeks where we undertook scoping of all possible solutions and then testing one that met our high standards - it is my absolute pleasure to announce a new way of taking exams at Endeavour – online through LMS with online proctoring (invigilation) solution. This solution will enable completion of the exams in home setting while not compromising on the College’s high academic integrity standards.
What does this mean: students will be able to sit their exams in their own homes by downloading and using an online tool called LockDown Browser. This tool will allow your identification prior to commencement of the exam, monitoring of your physical surrounding, shut down of all online communications, platforms and software for the duration of the final exam and monitoring your behaviour during the exam – together this will allow maintaining of the academic integrity in the online space. This means that any cheating that is detected during the exam will be considered under the Academic Integrity Policy
How will it work: students will download the Lockdown browser on their computer and will activate it once they open LMS where exam is housed. The activation of the browser will shut down all online activities on the computer and initiate the online identification and monitoring phase. Once this is completed, the student will be able to open the exam while the Lockdown Browser monitors their behaviour using web camera for the duration of the exam. Once the exam is over, the student clicks “Submit” and the Browser then compiles the information on the behaviour of the student during the exam and marks it as LOW to HIGH risk of breaching academic integrity. Each marker will review this report prior to marking of the exam and report any suspicious behaviour to the Head of Department for investigation – if the exam is reported for breaching the academic integrity it will not be marked until the investigation is completed.
What do I need for the exam: an operational computer/laptop, a web camera (either integrated into the laptop or a detachable one; provided by the student), clean space surrounding your computer/laptop and quiet space to complete your exam
Will there be training: yes – we are in the process of putting together a training package that will include user guides, recorded step-by-step guideline on how to install the Lockdown Browser and how to use it and a practice exam – the completion of this training package will earn the user a Badge (similar to the one you receive upon competition of the Academic Integrity Module). Only when you have received the Badge will you be able to access the final exam(s).
What will exam timetable look like: regardless of the length of the individual exam each subject will be allowed a 6-hour window on one specific day in a week for the completion of the exam (for example – window for completion a 2-hour exam is open from 9am till 3pm – in this case you will be able to start the exam at any point between 9am and 1pm for the full 2 hours duration of the exam); please note that while you can start exam at any time in the 6-hour window your time available for completion of the exam may be shorter than 2 hours; any extensions of the final exams due to prior arrangements have been taken into account and will be implemented once the exam is opened. NOTE: academic team is currently reviewing the length of the exam in accordance with the Learning Outcomes of the individual subject and the system requirements and the final length and the appearance of the exam may change – any changes to the length of the exam will be communicated on the individual subject’s Loop in the week starting 3rd May, 2020.
What are the timelines: you will be able to access the training package within the next 2 weeks. Please note:
- if you have a final exam as part of your Dec19, Jan20 and Feb20 subjects you will take the final exam in the week starting 1st June, 2020
- if you have a final exam as part of your Semester 1, 2020 and March20 subjects you will take your final exam in the week starting 22nd June, 2020.
Exam timetable for each final exam will be posted on the individual subject’s Loop and on the Portal by 1st May, 2020.
What are the privacy settings: This lockdown browser cannot access your computer files or any personal information. This software is used solely for the purpose of examinations with the ability to ensure the identity of the person sitting the examination for the duration of the examination period and to uphold the integrity of the exam-taking environment and individual behaviour.
As you can see the College has taken some time to ensure any final exam solutions are aligned not only to the learning of the content but also maintaining high academic integrity. Thank you for your patience while we worked through the solutions that ensure all previous, current and future students are treated fairly and equally with highest academic integrity standards implemented and monitored.
Thank you for your teamwork and collaboration displayed across this unprecedented period – the only way through this is together.
Kind regards,
Andrea