Digital Learning

Online exams that are not proctored may invite some students to use their textbooks, computers and/or smart phones to look up answers.  Knowing that this is a reality in the online environment, there are some basic things you can put in place to help minimize the impact of these practices.

• Establish expectations for academic honesty and reference Southeastern’s Academic Integrity Policy.

• Utilize Respondus Lockdown Browser.  This browser, when downloaded by students, locks down the testing environment.  Students cannot copy, print or visit another website until the quiz or exam is submitted for grading.

• Utilize Respondus Monitor.  This proctoring service uses the student's webcam and video analytics to prevent cheating during exams.  
• Time your exam.  Schedule the exam for a set time, and don't leave it open for an extended period.

• Offer shorter, more frequent quizzes to encourage students to keep up on their classwork.  This reduces the incentive to cheat because the value of each quiz is lower than one comprehensive test.

• Randomize the order of test questions to deter students from sharing answers during testing times.

• Display one question at a time.  This prevents groups of students from researching multiple answers at one time.

• Avoid 100% multiple choice exams and include questions that require students to interpret, analyze or explain.  This will discourage the practice of “Googling” answers. Essay questions also work well.

• Embrace the timed, open “book” concept.  A robust exam that encourages students to use their resources could be an option.  

• Construct a pool of questions for a test more than the number needed for the test.  Then have Moodle randomly draw from the pool. That way, each student gets his or her own unique test with only some questions in common.

• Moodle has a setting called Navigation Method.  “Free” navigation is the default. But if you change the value from Free to Sequential, Moodle will not allow a student to backtrack in a test.

• Rather than a traditional test, students’ learning could be assessed through projects or group work.

The Distance Education Policy provides faculty and administrators with a guide for developing and implementing distance education.  It also communicates quality standards for the delivery and assessment of distance education at Southeastern.