Proctoring at StraighterLine

[Seeker42]

When StraighterLine records videos using Panopto, the error "Couldn't record" is displayed. The recording could not begin on the server. Kindly start the recording again. I used Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge in incognito mode on two different computers to test this, and the results were identical. As a result, during my StraighterLine free semester, I was unable to finish the Business Communication and Intro to Communication courses.

StraighterLine Support reacted fast and wrote me, I 've to click on Welcome to this Capstone.
That solved the problem.

[Maniac Craniac]

I did the free trial for funsies. I think it's unfortunate that they removed proctoring. I wish it wasn't true, but the honor system is a license to cheat on a platform like this.

That said, I think their courses and materials are much better than what I've seen from other online course providers. There are some problems along the way- the biggest one being that some of their test questions have the wrong answer marked as the correct one. So, you can sometimes get an answer right, but lose points because of it. If I was doing this for graded transfer credit, I'd have reached out to the staff to let them know about it. However, since I'm only do this to challenge myself, I consider it a win that I'm able to figure out how I'm right and the test is wrong. 

I don't know what the old learning platform looked like but the one that I saw was well-organized and easy to click through. I enjoyed the fact that the course text was well-written and well-organized, that there were a lot of media (pics, video and interactive activities) to go along with the text, and that there were more than adequate opportunities to test and review my knowledge.

I like taking tests, but these tests were not the best. I liked all the CLEP, ECEs and DSSTs I took back in the day much better. Some of what I don't like about Straighterline's tests is hard to explain; it's more of vibes-based assessment. Beyond that, some of the questions are pitifully easy, like the first questions they have on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, and some are so densely worded and overwrought with attempts to trip you up that it reads like a parody. However, the study material and capstone assignments were as engaging and enjoyable as any synchronous university-based class I've taken.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Update: Effective February 2026, StraighterLine has re-introduced proctoring for “all quantitative final exams” using the Honorlock browser extension with Google Chrome and a webcam.

[bjcheung77]

Hmm, they're going back and forth with the proctoring requirements... Interesting, I think it's best to have proctoring for those type of exams.