Guest post by Caroline Hoffman, Communications Coordinator at Proctorio
In the era of online learning and e-assessments, online proctoring has become a subject of both curiosity and sometimes, concern. As with any technology, myths and misconceptions can lead to apprehension among test-takers, administrators, and anyone else who may come into contact with it. Let’s dive into five of the most common misconceptions about Proctorio.
Myth 1: Proctorio is spyware…
Reality: Proctorio is not spyware! Contrary to popular belief, users are fully informed about what permissions are required to enter an exam before beginning. According to Merriam-Webster, spyware is “software that is installed in a computer without the user’s knowledge and transmits information about the user’s activities.” Proctorio requires consent to be installed by the user and operates as a browser extension, which means it cannot access any personal files or change system settings. Some test-takers have expressed concerns about Proctorio being able to go back and watch their recordings, but the truth is, we don’t have access to them… at all. Only those with authorized permission from your institution can view them. Access to test-taker data is controlled and managed by the institution itself, not Proctorio.
Myth 2: Someone is watching me…
Reality: There is actually no one watching you while you take your exam (unless your institution has enabled Live Proctor) – Proctorio uses AI to monitor your behavior and create a report of any anomalies during the assessment process. For privacy’s sake, Proctorio encrypts exam audio, video, and screen recordings and images with end-to-end encryption. This means that once encrypted on your device, only institution-approved representatives (such as instructors, faculty, administrators, and authorized personnel) can decrypt and access these recordings.
Myth 3: Proctorio uses facial recognition…
Reality: Facial recognition works to identify and measure facial features in images and recordings, and has become more common in areas like airports for example… You may have encountered this more recently than you think. It’s the same technology used to unlock your phone or open apps! A major problem that comes with facial recognition is a lack of privacy, mapping your facial features to identify you any time it has the opportunity.
However, Proctorio does not know who you are – we use facial detection, which cannot uniquely identify an individual’s face. Facial detection answers the question ‘Is there a face in the frame?’ It looks for eyes, a nose, and a mouth simply to detect the presence of one or more human faces or if a test-taker has left the exam for any reason. It does not try to determine whose face is in the frame, it does not map facial features, and it does not use biometrics or facial comparisons to identify. With facial detection, we don’t even need personal identification from our users.
Myth 4: Online proctoring doesn’t even prevent cheating…
Reality: In November of 2022, 10 elevator mechanics from Miami, Florida faced charges after spending hundreds of dollars to cheat on their state certification exams, posing not only a threat of dishonesty but also an extreme safety threat. As these certifications are proof that an individual is qualified, can the safety features be trusted if the mechanic cheated? This is equally true for any profession – you wouldn’t want a surgeon to operate on you who cheated on their surgical board exam, right?
Research by accounting professor Jenelle Conaway at George Mason University found that online proctoring is the key to reducing cheating. Proctorio’s online proctoring solution can detect if more than one person is in the room, pick up additional voices, or if a person leaves the room. Proctorio’s AI monitors the exam environment and not only detects but also flags test-takers displaying unusual behaviors. Had online proctoring been enabled for the elevator mechanics’ exam, their cheating attempts would have been caught, leaving no room for underqualifications.
Myth 5: It’s expensive…
Reality: Proctorio and online proctoring in general can actually save costs for both institutions and test-takers alike. By eliminating the need for physical testing centers, institutions save on room and material rentals, in-person proctors, scheduling fees, and possible accommodation expenses. Most importantly, they save time and travel costs from getting to and from testing centers, including gas, public transportation fees, and rideshare expenses. They’re better for the environment for this reason, too, due to the lack of carbon emissions created by transportation. Test-takers can save at least 2.2kg of carbon emissions by taking their exams online instead of at an in-person testing center, which is equal to about five pounds. Think of it like a bag of flour, ten rolls of quarters (that’s $100!), or about six pairs of jeans.
Understanding the reality behind the purpose of Proctorio dispels common myths and deceptions, allowing both institutions and test-takers to make informed decisions in their approach to online exams. As technology continues to advance, embracing the benefits of online proctoring while also addressing legitimate concerns can help us to create a secure and trustworthy exam environment.
Bonus Myth!
Myth 6: You’ll get kicked out of your exam if the audio is too loud…
Reality: Very regularly, we get questions asking if roommates or family members being loud in the house will cause an individual to be removed from their exams. Test-takers will never be kicked out for being too loud, however, these instances very well may be flagged. Final decisions regarding possible breaches of integrity, however, lie with the exam administrator, not with Proctorio.
