Remote Proctoring Software: Types, Key Pros & Cons
There has been a significant increase in online learning over the past few years. Digital technologies have largely enabled the transition from physical to virtual classrooms. This has also led to an increase in demand for remote proctoring software for both educational and business institutions.
Remote proctoring software ensures exam integrity and is available in many varieties, each with its own benefits and limitations. Let’s look at the types, key pros, and cons of remote proctoring systems.
What Is a Remote Proctoring System?
Remote proctoring refers to software designed to allow students to conduct examinations remotely. Remote proctoring solutions work as standalone applications or in conjunction with a learning management system.
To ensure integrity, students are required to confirm their identity and are monitored through recording data streams. The video recording can be used to detect any questionable activity. Some remote proctoring services allow human proctors to monitor students online.
What Are the Types of Remote Proctoring Software?
Remote proctoring systems are divided into three categories: live proctoring software, recorded proctoring, and automatic proctoring.
1. Live Proctoring Software
Live proctoring is the ideal remote proctoring solution if the exams require communication with students or additional control. The software allows human proctors to monitor students in real time while taking an exam. The proctor is notified whenever a student is suspected of cheating or requires assistance.
Live proctoring software ensures convenience for teachers and fair results for students. Proctors can talk to students at any given moment via chat, video, or audio. Moreover, this software allows proctors to monitor multiple students at once.
Pros
Real-time intervention: Proctors can connect with students directly and intervene immediately if they feel something is wrong or a student needs assistance.
Prompt action: With live proctoring, if the proctor detects any suspicious activity, an infringement can be raised, or the exam can be canceled. With other software, this activity might not be picked till it’s too late.
Cons
Privacy invasion: Some students may not be comfortable connecting with their proctor via live video in their home environment.
2. Recorded Proctoring
Recorded proctoring solutions record audio, video, and log data of students while they are conducting their exams. Once the exam is over, the video recording can be accessed and reviewed by proctors. Since recorded proctoring does not require the presence of a human proctor, this solution is very useful for catering to students from different time zones.
Pros
Flexibility: Exams can be scheduled by students according to their convenience.
Increased exam security: The evidence is available on video recording if a student is caught cheating.
Cons
High cost: Students might need to purchase a separate webcam, microphone, or speaker if they don’t have one installed on their system already.
3. Automatic Proctoring
An automatic remote exam proctoring software uses AI (artificial intelligence) technology to proctor online exams. Unlike live and recorded proctoring solutions, an automatic proctoring system doesn’t require a human proctor to ensure exam integrity. Instead, exams are proctored and reviewed by a reliable, advanced, and secure AI system.
With automatic proctoring systems, students can schedule their exams according to their convenience. For instructors, it provides the peace of mind that a reliable source is proctoring the exams. This is the most advanced form of online proctoring available.
Pros
Face verification: Automatic proctoring software comes with a facial recognition feature. The student uploads a picture of his face which is recorded in the system to ensure the same person is attempting all tests.
Cost-effective: Automatic proctoring is more cost-effective than other solutions that require logistics, administration, and human resource expenses.
Cons
False flagging: AI can false flag certain eye and head movements as suspicious behavior. This can increase stress on students while taking an exam.
How to Choose the Best Remote Proctoring Software?
With so many different remote proctoring software available in the market, choosing the best one for yourself can take time and effort. You must consider these factors to pick a high-quality remote proctoring solution.
Comprehensive
The ideal remote proctoring software should be an all-in-one solution. You shouldn’t need to invest in multiple tools to get the job done. Instead, look for software that would allow you to automate exam scheduling and conduct exams across geographies. It should also be equipped to hold different types of tests (Viva, MCQs, Essays, etc.) on the same platform.
Scalable
Scalability is an important factor to consider for choosing the best remote proctoring software. The software should be robust enough to facilitate examinations on a large scale. Schools and universities often require hundreds of students to conduct exams simultaneously. The software should be reliable enough to cater to all students seamlessly.
It should also have an efficient scheduling system that can take time differences into account and schedule exams when it is convenient for the student.
Easy Integration
Some remote proctoring software can be too complex to integrate and manage. Choose a software that offers easy integration and can be connected with your existing technology stack. For instance, many universities track educational courses through learning management systems.
While picking the remote proctoring software, ensure it can be integrated easily with your LMS solution. Keep in mind that only a handful of remote proctoring systems are compatible with LMS solutions.
What Features Should you Look for in Remote Proctoring Software?
Some of the most important features that must be present in the remote proctoring software you pick include:
End-to-End Security
End-to-end security measures are extremely crucial to guarantee the integrity of exams. Other than ID verification and browser restriction, the software should also prevent screen capture, mobile phone use, and sharing capabilities. Moreover, to access the platform, there should be a single access point with zero loopholes for other login methods.
Technical Support
Technical support is an important feature often overlooked when choosing a remote proctoring system. Since the students have to take their exams from individual locations, assistance should be readily available in case of technical issues. This allows students to solve problems with the software promptly without wasting time.
Advanced Monitoring Features
The remote proctoring software should have advanced monitoring features that effectively monitor cheating in exams. The most reliable solutions feature AI and modern learning capabilities.
Facial detection technology and machine learning guarantee functional and accurate proctoring that outperforms human proctors. Such technologies help remove human error and bias.
Takeaway
There are numerous advantages of deploying remote proctoring technologies for conducting examinations. The wide choice of remote proctoring software available allows every institution to find a solution that works best for them.