The development of online learning platforms is having an immense effect on education. The need for safe and reliable methods of assessment increases as traditional learning environments shift to online environments.
Online proctored exams, sometimes referred to as online proctoring, enable students to take assessments from far away while performing best and giving tests in a fair way. When conventional techniques of supervision proved insufficient in virtual environments, the concept gained acceptance. At first, basic methods of authentication like usernames and passwords were used, but they weren’t successful in preventing cheating.
Proctoring software developed in response to the increasing need for enhanced proctoring solutions. Proctoring software exists in an extensive range of forms these days, and each one has a distinct set of capabilities and capabilities.
The Emergence of Online Proctored Exams
Since the online proctored exams came in the light of recruiters, they started giving more value to this. These days in various recruitment phases, Many Companies are conducting so many assessments, tests and exams in the online phase manner only. Initially, assessments online were dependent on basic authentication processes including username-password arrangements, which proved unsuccessful in preventing cheating.
Concerns about exam integrity grew stronger leading to an interest for improved proctoring solutions. This led to the creation of proctoring software, which was intended to supervise students taking tests in real time using a variety of different tools.
Some of the important points to know why there is rise in proctoring in the exams are :-
Increase of Online Learning: Since There is an Increase in online learning resources. People are learning a lot of topics and courses from here only which is the best thing and one can easily afford and access it .
Need for Secure Assessment Techniques: There is a high need for secure conduction of the exams which are going to be conducted online. So that candidate can perform illegal activities and give exams in a fair manner.
Limitation of Old Methods: Old methods of conducting assessments or exams are very popular and somehow the fair way to judge the candidates on the basis of their skills and capabilities. But Now Online Conduction of these tests has been rapidly increased.
Real-Time Monitoring: Online proctored exams typically involve real-time monitoring of the candidates giving the exams online. This allows proctors to observe students’ behaviour and intervene if any suspicious activity is detected.
Enhanced Security Procedures: As concerns regarding assessment quality developed, greater security measures were developed, which led to the development of online proctoring networks.
Types of Proctoring Software
There are various kinds of proctoring softwares are there. Some are mentioned below:-
Live Proctoring: Here, There is a human sitting on the other side of the camera to keep an eye on the candidates giving any exams. The proctor observes the test-taker’s behaviour, examines their identity, and takes in if any unusual behaviour is discovered. Live proctoring offers the highest level of security, but it can be resource difficult.
Automated proctoring: It: utilises AI algorithms to monitor examinations without direct human involvement. For the purpose of identifying alleged cheating, the software examines facial expressions, eye movements, typing patterns, and noise from the background. Automated proctoring is flexible and open to change, allowing examinations to be taken at any time, even though its accuracy depends on the effectiveness of the algorithms.
Recorded Proctoring: Recorded proctoring records the test session for later review by human proctors or instructors. Test-takers are monitored via webcam throughout the exam, and the footage can be reviewed post hoc to identify any irregularities. While recorded proctoring offers a degree of oversight, it lacks real-time intervention capabilities.
Assessments are monitored in real-time by human proctors utilising a camera during live proctoring. The greatest amount of security can be offered through this method, even though it can be demanding of resources and might require ahead scheduling. On the other hand, automated proctoring makes the most of artificial intelligence technologies to manage assessments without involving personal involvement.
Assessments are able to be conducted at any time using this scalable and adaptable approach, although the accuracy of the outcomes might vary based on the quality of the algorithms. Although recorded proctoring provides some oversight, it cannot be used for immediate time intervention. Rather, it records the exam session for subsequent examination by human examiners or instructors.
Software Comparison for Proctoring
The way students access course materials as well as take part in academic assessments has evolved dramatically with the development of online learning. The simplicity of examining remotely is matched by the challenge of maintaining the reliability of assessments performed in virtual settings. In this quest, proctoring software has become an essential tool, providing an array of choices for supervising and monitoring test-takers throughout online exams.
Comparison:
To determine whether proctoring software solutions are suitable for a given educational environment, a number of components need to be taken into account while comparing them. Because live proctoring includes direct human monitoring, it gives the highest level of security. Security is of the highest priority. However, automated proctoring continues to develop and maintains an outstanding track record in recognizing different kinds of cheating. If recorded proctoring is not as successful in preventing cheating in real time, it continues to have a deterrent influence while making exam footage reviewable later.
Another essential aspect to take into account is usability, because designed effective interfaces and seamless learning management system (LMS) integration can improve the user experience in general. The easiest experience is frequently provided by automated proctoring, which calls for the least amount of involvement from instructors and test-takers.
Conclusion:
The growing popularity of remote assessment has been facilitated by the development and deployment of multiple proctoring software solutions, which have supported the development of online proctored assessments. These online tests can be conducted on the Mercer | Mettl platform. The selection of proctoring software is essential for preserving exam integrity while establishing an enjoyable learning atmosphere as educational institutions expand to accept online learning.
Whereas live proctoring may require a lot of assets, it provides enhanced security and real-time regulation. Although its accuracy fluctuates, automated proctoring provides flexibility and scalability since it utilises AI algorithms. With recorded proctoring, convenience and oversight have been balanced, allowing post-examination monitoring of the recording.
