Instructor's Guide to Manual Proctoring of Final Assessments

Overview

This guide helps instructors coordinate final assessments when digital proctoring isn't available, ensuring credible outcomes. It covers in-person and remote monitoring methods, recording requirements, and integrity reviews, tailored for computer-based tests on the InstinctHub LMS.

Monitoring Methods

• In-Person Monitoring: Instructors should be physically present, watching the student's screen to prevent cheating, ensuring no unauthorized materials are used.
• Remote Monitoring: Use video conferencing with screen sharing, like Zoom or Google Meet, to monitor remotely, ensuring the student shares their screen throughout.

Recording and Integrity

• All sessions must be recorded, capturing audio and video. For physical exams, the student's screen needs separate recording, possibly using screen recording software.
• Instructors must not provide support that reveals answers, directing students to allowed materials instead.
• After the assessment, instructors review recordings to assess integrity, noting any violations for reporting.

Unexpected Detail

An interesting aspect is the dual recording requirement for physical exams, ensuring both room activity and screen actions are captured, which may require additional setup like camera positioning or software.

Survey Note: Detailed Instructor Briefing for Final Assessments

This comprehensive note outlines the process for instructors to coordinate final assessments when digital proctoring is not available, ensuring students maintain credible outcomes. The guidance is based on the provided instructions and aligns with the student briefing for a computer-based test on the InstinctHub LMS, covering multiple-choice questions, coding problems, and practical exercises. The focus is on maintaining academic integrity, with detailed procedures for in-person and remote monitoring, recording requirements, and post-assessment reviews.

Background and Context

The final assessments aim to evaluate students' comprehension, problem-solving skills, and practical application of course concepts, as outlined in the student briefing. Key learning outcomes include demonstrating subject knowledge, applying theories, and communicating ideas effectively. The assessment is conducted on the InstinctHub LMS, with strict rules against external help or collaboration to uphold academic integrity. When digital proctoring; typically involving software monitoring screen, webcam, and environment; is unavailable, instructors must manually oversee the process, either physically or via screen sharing in a conference.

Preparation for Instructors

Before the assessment, instructors should:

• Familiarize themselves with the assessment format, duration, and specific requirements, including the LMS platform (InstinctHub LMS).
• Review course materials and expected outcomes to understand what is being assessed.
• Set up the monitoring environment:
  • For in-person monitoring, arrange a location where the instructor can clearly see the student's screen, ensuring no unauthorized materials or devices are present.
  • For remote monitoring, select a reliable video conferencing platform like Zoom or Google Meet that supports screen sharing and recording, and schedule a meeting with the student.
• Arrange recording equipment:
  • For in-person sessions, set up a device to record the room (audio and video) and ensure the student's screen is recorded separately, possibly using screen recording software or a camera.
  • For remote sessions, ensure the conferencing platform can record the entire meeting, including screen sharing.
• Inform students about the monitoring method and recording procedures, obtaining consent as per institutional privacy policies.

Conducting the Assessment: In-Person Monitoring

For in-person monitoring, where the instructor is physically present with the student:

1. Start the Session:

• Confirm the student is ready and understands the assessment instructions.
• Ensure the student logs into the LMS and begins the test, verifying a stable internet connection.

2. Monitor Continuously:

• Keep a close watch on the student's screen to ensure they are only accessing allowed materials, such as course resources, and not seeking external help (e.g., browsing other websites, using unauthorized devices).
• Given the assessment includes coding problems and practical exercises, be vigilant for signs of code copying or unauthorized resource use.

3. Handle Queries:

• If the student has questions, direct them to refer to allowed materials (e.g., course notes, recommended readings) or clarify without providing answers. For example, if asked about a coding syntax, remind them to use the LMS resources rather than offering direct help. - Maintain a professional demeanor, ensuring no support is given that could expose answers, aligning with the student briefing's emphasis on no external help.

4. Record the Session:

• Ensure the room session is recorded, capturing audio and video to document the environment.
• Additionally, record the student's screen, which may involve using screen recording software on their device (with consent) or positioning a camera to capture the screen. This dual recording ensures comprehensive monitoring, especially important given the computer-based nature of the test.

Conducting the Assessment: Remote Monitoring via Screen Sharing

For remote monitoring, where the instructor and student are in different locations:

1. Initiate the Meeting:

• Join the scheduled video conference and verify that the student's screen is being shared, using platforms like Zoom or Google Meet.
• Confirm the student is logged into the LMS and ready to start, ensuring a stable internet connection as per the student briefing.

2. Monitor Screen Sharing:

• Continuously monitor the shared screen to ensure the student is only using authorized activities, such as navigating within the LMS, and not minimizing or switching to other applications without notification.
• Be alert for any attempts to access unauthorized resources, given the assessment's coding and practical components.

3. Manage Communication:

• Maintain open communication to address any technical issues, such as connectivity problems, and ensure the screen sharing remains active.
• If the student has questions, handle them similarly to in-person monitoring; direct them to allowed materials without revealing answers, maintaining the integrity emphasized in the student briefing.

4. Record the Meeting:

• Ensure the entire meeting, including screen sharing and audio, is recorded. This recording captures both the student's screen activity and any interactions, fulfilling the requirement for session documentation.

Post-Session Review and Integrity Assessment

After the assessment, instructors must conduct a final review to assess whether the student maintained integrity:

1. Review Recordings:

• Watch the recordings (room video and screen for in-person, meeting recording for remote) to verify that the student adhered to rules, such as not accessing unauthorized materials or receiving external help.
• Look for specific indicators, such as the student switching tabs, using external devices, or engaging in suspicious behavior, especially given the coding and practical nature of the test.

2. Document Observations:

• Note any instances of potential violations, such as accessing external websites or collaborating with others, and report findings according to institutional academic integrity policies, as outlined in the student briefing.
• Ensure documentation is thorough, as it may be used for grading or disciplinary actions.

3. Provide Feedback:

• Inform the student about any observed issues, maintaining transparency while ensuring fair grading based on their performance and adherence to rules.
• The review process aligns with the student briefing's emphasis on academic integrity, ensuring credible outcomes.

Additional Considerations

To ensure a smooth process, instructors should:

• Be prepared for technical difficulties, such as internet outages, and have a backup plan, such as rescheduling or using alternative platforms.
• Ensure student privacy by conducting recordings in compliance with institutional policies, obtaining necessary consents, and informing students about how recordings will be used.
• Maintain professionalism, avoiding any behavior that could be perceived as intimidating or biased, fostering a fair assessment environment.

Comparative Table: Monitoring Methods

Aspect	In-Person Monitoring	Remote Monitoring via Screen Sharing
Location	Instructor and student in the same room	Instructor and student in different locations
Monitoring Method	Physically watch student's screen	Monitor via shared screen on video conference
Recording Requirements	Record room (audio/video) and student's screen	Record entire meeting, including screen sharing
Technical Setup	Ensure clear line of sight, possible camera use	Reliable internet, conferencing platform setup
Student Interaction	Direct, in-person clarification without answers	Virtual, via conference, without revealing answers

This table highlights the differences, ensuring instructors can choose the appropriate method based on circumstances, while maintaining consistency with the student briefing's integrity requirements.

Conclusion

This detailed briefing equips instructors to coordinate final assessments effectively when digital proctoring is unavailable, ensuring credible outcomes through in-person or remote monitoring, comprehensive recording, and thorough integrity reviews. By aligning with the student briefing's emphasis on no external help and academic integrity, instructors can uphold the assessment's validity, particularly for the computer-based test on the InstinctHub LMS.