Online test systems may prevent cheating

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Students who have the notion that they can get away with cheating in online courses should beware. \nCompanies are talking about new devices to help curb online cheating, and Penn State is listening. \nThis fall, Troy University in Alabama will begin using a new camera-monitoring technology to deter cheating in online courses. The device, made by Cambridge, Mass.-based Software Secure, includes a small Web camera and microphone to be set up where the student takes the test. The camera points into a reflective ball, which allows it to capture a 360-degree image. \nThe monitoring device locks down other online quizzing and testing tools so nothing else can be accessed on the computer during a test. The device also includes a fingerprint scanner to authenticate the identity of the test taker, according to the Software Secure Web site, www.softwaresecure.com. \nImplementing such a system as this at Penn State is “something we’re definitely exploring,” said Rick Shearer, assistant director of instructional design and development for Penn State’s World Campus, which teaches courses solely online. \n“One of the things we’ve been doing is looking at how we can improve proctored exams, so we’re talking to several companies and weighing the pros and cons,” he said. \nCurrently, humans proctor exams for the World Campus. \nA student must find his or her own proctor, who is then entered into a proctor database and sent a paper-based exam to administer to the student, Shearer said. \n“The system we have now is what we’ve been using for years,” he said. “A lot of it depends on how adamant the faculty is about academic integrity.” \nShearer said the types of monitoring devices vary, but all have similar mechanisms. Some of the systems are completely integrated with Web cameras and microphones, while others simply require students to log into a Web site that tracks what students are doing online and produces reports on abnormal behavior, Shearer said. \n“In any of the ones we’re talking to, students would have to invest in a Web cam,” he said. \nChristopher Palma, who teaches astronomy through the World Campus, said he is satisfied with the current system. \n“I haven’t seen any problems with the exams, so I’m okay with the way things are going,” he said. \nHowever, Palma said he thinks academic integrity is a big concern for a lot of people. \n“There seems to be a lot more worry about cheating in the face-to-face sections, and that’s definitely carrying over into online courses as well,” he said. \ntheir word. Students are adults and I always try to treat them that way.” \nSophomore Nicholas Yourchak said he has never taken an online course, but said it would probably be much easier to cheat in Web courses. \n“All you have to do to cheat in Web courses is whenever you’re taking a test, you can’t have two Web windows open at the same time, because that’s what they look for,” he said. \nHe said there’s a simple solution. \n“Look up your questions, close that window and go back and take the test,” he said. \nWhile monitoring devices may help deter cheating, it will always be around, Shearer said. \n“If someone’s adamant about cheating, they’ll find a way around any system,” he said.