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As a college student at the University of Arizona, the anti-cheating framework of online classes (now exacerbated with COVID) is 
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here& #39;s what& #39;s up (thread)
here& #39;s what& #39;s up (thread)
like any class, testing involves surveillance. for in-person classes, the instructor and TA’s proctor the exams.
but in an online-class paradigm, it’s a complete and total stranger from another country watching you!
but in an online-class paradigm, it’s a complete and total stranger from another country watching you!
taking an exam involves you scheduling with a 3rd party called Examity, and undergoing rather invasive anti-cheating requirements.
it’s the day of your exam, so you log on to http://prod.examity.com"> http://prod.examity.com (a website so poorly made and not at all accessible)...
quick aside: look how utterly horrendous this site is.
what kind of ass-backward design is this? they can’t even load images properly.
what kind of ass-backward design is this? they can’t even load images properly.
... you then join the zoom call wherein you are ~required~ (under threat of getting an auto-F on the exam) to:
• turn on your webcam and rotate your computer in 360 degrees
• keep your microphone on
• share your computer screen
• and GIVE REMOTE CONTROL ACCESS TO THE PROCTOR
• turn on your webcam and rotate your computer in 360 degrees
• keep your microphone on
• share your computer screen
• and GIVE REMOTE CONTROL ACCESS TO THE PROCTOR
the reason for that last point is to allow the Examity proctor to enter the password for the locked quiz.
hypothetically, if the password got out, students could access the quiz, sans-proctoring, and (heaven forbid) cheat.
hypothetically, if the password got out, students could access the quiz, sans-proctoring, and (heaven forbid) cheat.
however, this could be easily remedied by generating single-use passwords per exam as opposed to locking the exam for everyone with a single password.
then you’re required to confirm your identity, which involves typing your name a few times in three different fields. (???)
COINCIDENTALLY Google Chrome thinks these fields are credit card fields and tries to autofill your payment info IN FRONT OF THE PROCTOR.
COINCIDENTALLY Google Chrome thinks these fields are credit card fields and tries to autofill your payment info IN FRONT OF THE PROCTOR.
typically, the proctor also has their webcam on, but more recently they’ve had it off, meaning you’re being watched by some unidentified stranger who is watching your every move
another recent change is the requirement of an ~external~ webcam and 6ft extension cable, paid out of the student’s pocket
for some exams, Examity / the professor requires you to mount this webcam (on a tripod??) so as to allow the proctor to see over your shoulder!!
for some exams, Examity / the professor requires you to mount this webcam (on a tripod??) so as to allow the proctor to see over your shoulder!!
there are SO many issues with this kind of required software / surveillance for students
first, it teaches students to blindly download whatever software their school tells them to, without knowing potential ramifications. (hi there zoom keeping an OPEN PORT a while back)
first, it teaches students to blindly download whatever software their school tells them to, without knowing potential ramifications. (hi there zoom keeping an OPEN PORT a while back)
second, it gives students absolutely NO say in whether or not they want their home invaded by a complete stranger in another country.
most students take these tests in their bedrooms due to having to be alone in a room, yet these spaces are incredibly personal and private.
most students take these tests in their bedrooms due to having to be alone in a room, yet these spaces are incredibly personal and private.
third, being forced to allow the proctor to take over your computer remotely is deeply disturbing.
despite all of this, there are still ways to cheat. plenty of sites online list methods of getting around all of Examity’s privacy-invading BS.
despite all of this, there are still ways to cheat. plenty of sites online list methods of getting around all of Examity’s privacy-invading BS.
sure, cheating is harder, but it’s still possible. and the students who feel the need to cheat are going to do it, no matter the cost.
never doubt the determination of a student who is one F away from expulsion, losing a scholarship, etc
never doubt the determination of a student who is one F away from expulsion, losing a scholarship, etc
what’s the solution to all of this? I don’t know. But Examity isn’t the answer.
I personally think professors and TA’s should still proctor their students’ exams. Sure, the privacy invasion is still mostly there, but at least it isn’t a complete stranger.
I personally think professors and TA’s should still proctor their students’ exams. Sure, the privacy invasion is still mostly there, but at least it isn’t a complete stranger.
If something were to happen, taking action against the proctor would be as simple as reporting it to your school as opposed to reporting inappropriate behavior of an unseen proctor to a 3rd party company, Examity.
students are alone in their rooms, with a complete stranger watching their every move.
ultimately, this system is broken and puts an increased undue stress on the student.
online classes suck. and all of my classes that start up later this month are online.
- END THREAD -
ultimately, this system is broken and puts an increased undue stress on the student.
online classes suck. and all of my classes that start up later this month are online.
- END THREAD -
