In today’s increasingly digital world, online learning has become the norm for many students. While the convenience of taking courses from the comfort of one’s own home is undeniable, it also brings about new challenges for educators and institutions.
One such challenge is how to ensure academic integrity and prevent cheating during online exams. That’s where Examity comes in. Examity is a remote proctoring service that helps colleges and universities prevent cheating by monitoring students during online exams. But how does Examity track cheating, and what measures does it take to ensure academic honesty?
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how Examity operates, its approach to proctoring, and how it tackles the problem of online cheating.
What is Examity?
Examity is an online proctoring service that provides a secure and convenient platform for colleges and universities to administer exams. The platform offers a range of services to ensure the integrity of the exam process and prevent cheating.
Purpose of Examity
The purpose of Examity is to provide a secure and convenient online testing platform that allows colleges and universities to administer exams without compromising academic integrity.
Examity Proctoring
Examity provides its services to colleges and universities through an online platform that allows students to take exams from anywhere, at any time. The platform uses advanced technology to ensure the integrity of the exam process, including:
- Real-time monitoring
- Facial recognition
- Machine learning
How does Examity provide its services to colleges & universities?
Examity provides its services to colleges and universities through a comprehensive and customizable approach that focuses on the following:
- Maintaining exam integrity
- Enhancing student authentication
- Ensuring a secure testing environment
Read More: How Students Cheat on a Proctored Exam?
Here’s an insightful explanation of how Examity delivers its services to educational institutions:
Collaborative Integration
Examity works closely with colleges and universities to integrate its proctoring solution seamlessly into their existing learning management systems or online exam platforms. This collaborative integration process ensures that the proctoring experience is streamlined and easily accessible for both administrators and students. By integrating with the institution’s infrastructure, Examity can provide a unified and user-friendly experience.
Customizable Exam Settings
Examity offers a wide range of customizable settings to cater to the unique requirements of each institution. Administrators can define parameters such as exam duration, question order randomization, browser lockdown, and access to external resources. This level of customization allows educational institutions to align the proctoring process with their specific exam policies and requirements, ensuring a tailored experience for their students.
Multi-Factor Authentication
To enhance student authentication, Examity employs multi-factor authentication methods. These methods can include identity verification through government-issued IDs, facial recognition technology, or live photo comparison. By implementing robust authentication protocols, Examity helps ensure that the individual taking the exam is indeed the authorized student, minimizing the risk of impersonation or fraudulent activity.
Live and Automated Proctoring
Examity offers both live proctoring and automated proctoring options, providing flexibility and choice to educational institutions. Live proctoring involves real-time monitoring of test-takers by trained human proctors through webcam feeds. This allows for immediate intervention in case of suspicious behavior or technical issues. Automated proctoring, on the other hand, utilizes advanced algorithms and AI technology to detect and flag potential instances of cheating, reducing the need for continuous human monitoring.
Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics
Examity provides detailed reports and analytics to educational institutions, offering valuable insights into student performance, test-taker behavior, and proctoring efficacy. These reports include information on flagged incidents, suspected cheating attempts, and overall proctoring statistics. By analyzing this data, institutions can gain a deeper understanding of exam integrity, identify patterns, and make informed decisions to further enhance their online assessment processes.
Dedicated Support and Training
Examity ensures that colleges and universities have access to dedicated support and training resources. This includes technical assistance, troubleshooting, and guidance for administrators and proctors. Additionally, Examity offers comprehensive training programs to educate faculty, staff, and students on the proper use of the proctoring platform, exam policies, and best practices for maintaining academic integrity.
Examity Test Configuration
Examity allows colleges and universities to configure their tests according to their specific requirements. This includes:
- Setting time limits
- Restricting access to specific resources
- Controlling the types of questions that can be asked
System Requirements for Examity
To use Examity, students need a computer with a webcam and microphone, as well as a reliable internet connection. The platform is compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Examity Auto-Proctoring
Examity also offers an auto-proctoring feature that uses artificial intelligence to monitor students’ behavior during exams. This includes detecting suspicious behavior, such as looking away from the screen, and flagging potential instances of cheating.
Examity Cheating Policy
Examity has a strict cheating policy that prohibits any form of cheating during exams. This includes using unauthorized materials, communicating with other students, and attempting to bypass the proctoring system.
How to Detect Examity Cheating?
Examity uses a range of techniques to detect cheating during exams, including real-time monitoring, facial recognition, and machine learning. However, there are also some common methods that instructors can use to detect cheating on Examity, including:
- Thin paper method
- Hiding the phone but making it accessible
- Dimming of lights
- Beanie and Bluetooth earbuds
- Tape or Vaseline technique
- Screen Mirroring
Let’s look at each of these methods in detail.
Thin paper method
This involves using thin paper to cover up notes and cheat sheets during the exam. Instructors can detect this by looking for irregularities in the paper or by using specialized tools to detect hidden text.
Hiding the phone but making it accessible
This involves hiding a phone or other electronic device, but making it easily accessible during the exam. Instructors can detect this by monitoring the student’s behavior and looking for unusual patterns of movement or behavior.
Dimming of lights
This involves dimming the lights in the room to make it easier to cheat without being detected. Instructors can detect this by monitoring the lighting conditions during the exam and looking for irregularities or suspicious behavior.
Beanie and Bluetooth earbuds
This involves wearing a beanie or other head covering to hide a Bluetooth earbud, which can be used to receive help during the exam. Instructors can detect this by looking for irregularities in the student’s behavior or by using specialized tools to detect hidden devices.
Tape or Vaseline technique
This involves using tape or Vaseline to cover up the webcam or microphone, which can be used to cheat during the exam. Instructors can detect this by monitoring the webcam or microphone feed and looking for irregularities or suspicious behavior.
Screen Mirroring
This involves using software to mirror the screen of a different device, which can be used to cheat during the exam. Instructors can detect this by monitoring the student’s computer and looking for irregularities or suspicious behavior.
Examity and Privacy Concerns
Does Examity track eye movement?
Yes, Examity uses eye tracking technology to monitor students’ behavior during exams. This technology allows Examity to detect suspicious behavior, such as looking away from the screen, and flag potential instances of cheating.
Can Examity see your search history?
No, Examity does not have access to students’ search history or browsing activity. The platform only monitors students’ behavior during the exam and does not track their activity outside of the exam environment.
Can Examity see your screen during the test?
Yes, Examity can see the student’s screen during the test. This is necessary to ensure that the student is not using unauthorized materials or communicating with other students during the exam.
Does Examity record your screen?
Yes, Examity records the student’s screen during the exam. This recording is used to monitor the student’s behavior and detect potential instances of cheating.
Can Examity see what websites you are on?
No, Examity does not have access to students’ browsing activity or the websites they visit outside of the exam environment.
Can Examity see what’s on your computer?
No, Examity only has access to the student’s screen and webcam during the exam. The platform does not have access to any other files or information on the student’s computer.
Takeaway
In conclusion, Examity is a powerful tool that can help ensure academic integrity and prevent cheating during online exams. By monitoring students during exams, detecting and flagging suspicious behavior, and using advanced technologies to detect cheating, Examity offers a comprehensive solution to the problem of cheating in online learning environments. However, it’s also important to recognize the potential drawbacks of using Examity and other proctoring services, such as concerns over privacy and technical issues. Ultimately, the decision to use Examity or other proctoring services should be made based on a careful consideration of the benefits and drawbacks, as well as a commitment to maintaining academic integrity in online learning.
Examity FAQs
How does Examity detect cheating?
Examity checks for cheating by monitoring students’ behavior during exams. This includes using facial recognition technology to verify their identity, monitoring their eye movements to ensure they are not looking away from the screen, and detecting suspicious behavior, such as multiple faces on the screen or unusual movement patterns
Does Examity detect cheating?
Yes, Examity is designed to detect cheating and prevent it from happening during exams. The platform uses a range of techniques to monitor students’ behavior and identify potential instances of cheating.
How long is the Examity check for students’ environmental assessment before the examination?
The Examity environmental assessment typically takes between 5-10 minutes and is designed to ensure that students have a suitable environment for taking the exam.
Does Examity inform the students if they get flagged?
Yes, Examity will notify students if they are flagged for suspicious behavior during the exam. Students will be given the opportunity to respond and explain any potential misunderstandings.
Can you be caught cheating on Examity?
Yes, it is possible to be caught cheating on Examity. The platform uses a range of techniques to monitor students’ behavior and detect potential instances of cheating.
Can Examity see your screen?
Yes, Examity can see your screen during an online exam. This is a key feature of the service that helps prevent cheating. The proctor will be able to see everything that appears on your screen, including any other applications or browser tabs you have open.
Do you need a webcam for Examity?
Yes, you will need a webcam for Examity. This is necessary to provide the proctor with a clear view of you and your testing environment during the exam. In addition to a webcam, you will also need a microphone and speakers to communicate with the proctor.
Is Examity bad?
While Examity is designed to promote academic integrity and prevent cheating, some students and educators have expressed concerns about the service. One major criticism is the potential invasion of privacy, as Examity requires access to your webcam and other devices. Additionally, there have been reports of technical glitches and issues with the proctoring process, which can be frustrating for students and instructors alike. Finally, some argue that the reliance on proctoring services like Examity can create a culture of distrust and undermine the integrity of online learning.
If you’re facing academic misconduct allegations due to cheating, do not sit back and wait. Talk to an education attorney now by contacting K Altman Law or call us at 888-984-1341.
