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Online Test Takers To Have Their Every Move Watched By Special Webcams
from the we're-watching-you.... dept
For years now, there have been questions about the increase in high-tech cheating among students. One solution, of course, is to change the way students are measured, recognizing that collaboration is important so that working together and using additional sources is encouraged (you know, like in the real world). However, there still can be times where a good old fashioned test might make sense -- and that gets even more difficult when you're dealing with an online only school trying to give an online exam. A few years ago we discussed one school that was testing the use of a webcam system to take regular snapshots of the student while they took the test. It appears that just that type of technology is becoming increasingly popular for online test taking, with some believing it's more effective at preventing cheating than traditional proctored exams. The new camera system records a 360 degree view (to make sure there's no one behind the camera helping out), records all audio as well and even requires a fingerprint to make sure you're really who you say you are. It also has some method for alerting monitors to suspicious activity (such as if someone starts getting a bunch of questions right soon after taking a phone call). All in all, it sounds pretty thorough -- though, we're sure someone will figure out an effective way around it before too long. In the meantime, some are suggesting that such a system is too invasive -- but as long as the test-taker knows what he or she is getting into, it's hard to see how that's a problem.
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nuclear arms race for test cheating
The idea of a 360 camera system seems pretty difficult to beat. The privacy concerns and the cost and maintenance for such systems will likely limit the adoption of these cheat prevention systems.
Much of the time, grades are based on how well the class as a whole performs. In classes where cheating is rampant, the grades in general will be higher. Since there is typically a grading curve, mostly the stronger students will still come out on top. However, if the test is really difficult and cheating is easy, a better student may be penalized against the curve. Being the one clean cyclist in the Tour de France, or trying to catch up to a Roger Clemons fastball will put this player at a disadvantage.
Where was I going with this? Cheating - no bueno. Roids - no bueno.
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Re:
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I doubt it's the technology...
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Build a better trap...
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de-grading
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All the online tests I have ever taken always involved a time limit and you could use your notes, book, etc. And the questions were different each time you took the test.
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Like the real world cares...
When you get into the real world many jobs these days are requiring proficiency test to prove you know what you claim you do. If you fail, you don't get the job. If you weasel by that you can still be fired for not knowing what you should.
So go ahead and cheat, who knows? Maybe the things you cheated on will never come up again in your life. Then again...
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360 Camera
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Quit with your God Complex
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