Technology has two entirely different avatars. The first is where it makes life easier for us, and the other is when it is used to disrupt systems and rules. Let us take exams as an example. Sure, technology has allowed students to carry out their assessments with the help of their devices, but at the same time, exam administrators are left worried about cheating using unauthorized resources. Exam malpractice is not a new challenge in the education system. However, with the penetration of technology, the ways and means have become more advanced for the invigilators to tackle.
Top Cheating Techniques During BYOD Exams:
• Copying Content From USB
Specific examinations are shared with students on USB. The risk is that students may copy data and software from the USB, possibly using a preloaded script. This method of cheating is troublesome for institutes that want to keep their exam papers secret’. The simplest solution is to avoid exam paper distribution using USBs or software to block USB access during the exam duration.
• Virtual Machines
Students across the globe have become very smart as far as their cheating tactics are concerned. Several instances are coming up of students using virtual machines during BYOD exams to access unauthorized help. The virtual machine very sophistically emulates the actual computers and abstract information in real-time to an isolated computed environment which the blocking mechanism of the exam fails to detect. In simple language, students can run two operating systems. One is used to comply with all the requirements of the exams, and another to dodge the blocking mechanisms and access external resources to carry out cheating.
• USB Keyboard Hacks
Many institutes allow students to use USB keyboards to make the typing job more manageable. However, in the market, USB Key Injectors are available that look and feel like a standard keyboard. However, these USB key injectors have configurations to transmit unauthorized data just by using some specific keystrokes. Using these devices during exams, students can access their study notes and exploit the examination process.
• Modifying Software
Students have used this sophisticated technique to access their study material, notes, and essays during exams. They use a modified copy of the exam software, which is already present in their systems, except that the copy will have tools and resources to cheat during the exams.
Using Robust Proctoring Software to Mitigate the Cheating Challenges
Students do not use cheating to pass their exams, and most want to get ahead in their scores and secure better places. No matter which technique they use, any form of cheating is a massive compromise on the fairness of the assessment. Especially now, as many institutes are returning to offline teaching methods, in-class exams are gaining lost momentum.
It isn’t easy to efficiently monitor all the students in the exam hall by just one invigilator. That is why using proctoring software, which helps the teachers to carry out strong proctoring in the classroom, is a must. Schools and colleges operating on BYOD ( bring your own device) model must make the most of such software as ProctorTA to make their proctoring process robust.
Smart proctoring aids such as ProctorTA have some very advanced features to fight against advanced and traditional cheating techniques.
- Fully Automated Proctoring
- Accurate reports
- Multiple Test Risks Identification
- Robust Browser Lockdown
- Teacher’s Dashboard to Monitor, Each Student
The list of technical features included in such software is even longer. The software becomes the eyes and ears of the invigilator to ensure the highest exam integrity.
Conclusion
The preventive approach is the best way to manage cheating during in-classroom exams. Definitely, BYOD ( bring your own device) should be encouraged, and it helps the schools handle the pressure over their resources like arranging laptops and computers for examinations. But at the same time, they should invest in advanced technological tools such as ProctorTA to up their invigilation game. Using such technology will add feathers of credibility, accuracy, and integrity to the process of exams.
