TESC: Online Proctored Exams

[FinancialWorld]

dblhelx...You are very disturbing. :eek: hilarious I'm glade I don't have to proctor you. That might get scary.

[dblhelx]

I'm scheduled to take an online final exam this Saturday and Sunday. This is finals week.....NOBODY has used the service yet?

Can they SEE what you are surfing on your computer? Does someone just sit there and watch you through the webcam?

Do you start the test via their website or do you click on the link within Blackboard in each class' testing link under Final Exam?

[bricabrac]

I never used the service but can answer your first question from feedback given by students who have used proctorU -

Can they SEE what you are surfing on your computer? Yes, there is a keylogging program that runs so they can follow your typing and mouse clicks. When you begin the session you show the proctor your workspace with your webcam.

Does you start the test via their website or do you click on the link within Blackboard in each class' testing link under Final Exam? There are testing instructions/tutorials on the school website. Go into your course and click on general information. Look for "college offers online proctored exams" section

[ProctorU]

Hello, I work for ProctorU. Yes, we can see your screen and move your mouse in order to troubleshoot technical problems. However, we do not use any type of key logging software. Once the exam session has ended, the connection is permanently closed and we no longer have access to your computer. Students that use us again and again can testify that they must connect with us for each session to establish a new connection because the original one from their first exam is long gone. We proctor hundreds of exams per day and thousands per month for over 100 institutions.

For more information about ProctorU, please visit ProctorU: Real People. Real Proctoring., contact us at 205-870-8122 or email me personally at fhayes@proctoru.com.

[bricabrac]

Thank you for your response! I have not used this service nor would I ever. Again, I am only reporting feedback given by TESC students that have used the service so maybe key logging was the wrong description, it is actually a screen/visual share program with voice capabilities. As you have noted having access to my computer via mouse (LOL) is still a huge problem for me; actually the issue is both vpn security and access. I’ve talked to a few computer experts who deal in security and was told NOT to use this service. Again, I work with a lot of confidential information. Luckily, after receiving quite a bit of unhappy feedback on this issue, TESC students have the option of opting-out of proctoru and will continue to take their exams with their designated proctors. Otherwise, they would have definitely lost me as a student.

Wow, we now have both representatives from SL and ProctorU on site!

[mrs.b]

I will be using ProctorU for the first time in a few weeks for a midterm, and must admit that the remote access also elevated my paranoia level. It is one thing to have someone say the access is only used during the session and closes immediately afterward, but another thing entirely to trust when we have all heard of, know someone, or experienced hacking and identify theft ourselves. With taxes and other personal financial data, confidential work documents, and various other things we would not normally allow a stranger access to - responsible and honorable though I am sure they are - it is natural to think the worst.

The thing is, simply being on the internet and surfing around exposes us to these things. Children and teens using that computer (what did they download last?) make it far more vulnerable than logging onto a service that openly states they will have access. When my husband saw a site I would have to use would have access to my machine and files, he started moving all of our confidential documents to an external hard drive - something we've meant to do anyway due to the inherent risk of being online - and will simply unplug it while I take the exam. To further appease our paranoia, he is setting a restore point and will restore the machine once the exam is finished. Done, and data protected, if it was ever at risk. Personally, I pity the poor proctor that gets to watch my "I'm thinking" face for two hours while rocking my comfy house clothes.

[hkhart]

How do we opt out of using ProctorU? My upcoming class requires midterm and final to be taken via PU. I have a webcam on small netbook, but really don't want to use that or purchase a webcam and mic to take exam.

[bricabrac]

How do we opt out of using ProctorU? My upcoming class requires midterm and final to be taken via PU. I have a webcam on small netbook, but really don't want to use that or purchase a webcam and mic to take exam.

Hkhart, I sent you a PM. Here are the general instructions.

Log in to MyEdison -- Help Tab --College Support Portal -- On the left side of the page click on the hyperlink “office of test administration” -- #3 How do I opt- out for the Online Testing Option?

[KBoelte]

Proctor U really stinks. I had major technical issues during the exam, it was hard to navigate around, difficult to find at the TESC site, you have to use the camera to pan the entire testing site, AND the kicker for me was that you can't use the restroom during the exam. WHAT??? Am I 5 years old? I have to take five TECEPS before the end of the year, so I guess that I'll have to plan to use it again, but if I had the choice I would go back to the library for my "proctor in person."

[bricabrac]

I have to take five TECEPS before the end of the year, so I guess that I'll have to plan to use it again, but if I had the choice I would go back to the library for my "proctor in person."

KBoelte,

You do have a choice:

For TESC courses, follow the above instructions to the opt-out form. On the form you check your reason for opting-out and then note the "in person" proctor you want your tests sent to.

The TECEP department is different then the OL/GS courses handled by the office of testing coordinator. When you receive the form for TECEP proctor just list the proctor you want to use on the form. Simple process.

I will PM you contact names/numbers for the coordinators of both departments for your file.