Virtual proctoring tools can cause additional anxiety for some students, on top of normal test anxiety. This is especially true if students perceive that the software is making automatic determinations about cheating. There are steps you can take to lessen these anxieties and humanize the experience.
- Give students clear parameters for the rules of the exam and let them know that normal test-taking behaviors—fidgeting, looking around—do not constitute cheating. Add explicit details about your expectations in the quiz instructions or in the Additional Instructions section of the Honorlock proctoring settings.
- Provide syllabus language around the use of Honorlock in your course (see below for suggested language).
- Emphasize that, at Ohio State, proctoring software does not make decisions about whether cheating occurred. There is a fair, well-documented academic misconduct process during which your perspective is solicited and considered.
- Set up a practice exam for students to test the software and get used to the interface well before the exam.
- Work with students who want to use in-person proctoring options. Learn more about the proctoring options at Ohio State.
Syllabus language
It is imperative to be upfront with students about course academic integrity expectations. When using Honorlock, instructors should include the following language in their syllabus:
Honorlock, an online proctoring tool, will be used during this course. Honorlock offers you flexibility to take your exams at the time and in the location of your choosing during the exam’s availability window.
- Technology requirements: Students are required to have a webcam (USB or internal) with a microphone, allow for screen recording, and have a strong and stable internet connection. In addition, the full Chrome browser version 120+ is required to install the Honorlock Chrome Browser extension. Honorlock is incompatible with tablets or mobile devices.
- Testing environment: During the course of an exam, Honorlock will record the testing environment. Therefore, students should select private spaces for the exam session where disruptions are unlikely and where recording devices can be enabled. Instructions for Honorlock use will be provided.
- Limitations: To use Honorlock you must be over 18 years of age or have the Online Course Recording Waiver on file. Additionally, some students with disabilities will experience barriers and need alternative proctoring arrangements. Students who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, and voice control will face barriers. Students with low vision, reduced contrast sensitivity or who need to adjust text or line spacing may also experience barriers.
- Academic integrity and academic misconduct: Please note that while Honorlock settings may flag suspected cheating during exams, these automatic measures do not constitute a determination of academic misconduct. Any suspicion of misconduct will be referred to the Committee on Academic Misconduct and evaluated through a fair and transparent process.
- Students may request an in-person proctoring alternative to Honorlock or other online proctoring tools. The student is expected to contact the instructor as soon as possible to coordinate the accommodation.
- Students will not be permitted to take remotely proctored exams in their homes or residence halls unless they are willing to conduct a room scan. By choosing to take the exam in their home or residence hall, the student is consenting to the room scan of the area in which they take the exam.
Honorlock support is available 24/7/365. If you encounter any issues, you may contact them through live chat on the support page or within the exam itself. You can also reach out to carmen@osu.edu or call 614-688-4357 (HELP) and talk to the Learning Systems team.
If you have concerns about using an online proctoring tool for the reasons listed above or in general, please work with your instructor to find an equivalent alternative.
Beyond this language, ensure that students are given the opportunity and encouraged to take the practice quiz with Honorlock before an exam for credit is deployed. This will ensure that the entire class, including those with accessibility concerns, will be ready to use Honorlock or have an alternative in place.