Deb Gearhart Trot University Student Authentication – What it Means for Us

Why the need for Student Authentication? The Unanswered Questions – How do you ensure online testing integrity for your online students? Is the student who is taking the test the one who is registered for the course? Is there someone else in the room helping? Is the student copying or sharing the exam? Is the student using notes or an open book? Is the student using the Internet to find answers?

Issues related to Authentication The number of students taking distance education courses The students who cheat Teaching students who are more “computer savvy” than the instructor

Passage of the HEOA of 2008 ‘‘(ii) the agency or association requires that an institution that offers distance education programs to have processes by which it establishes that the student who registers in a distance education course or program is the same student who participates, completes academic work, and receives academic credit;’’

Authentication At what point do educators need to do authentication? The “big brother” effect – does authentication violate constitutional rights? So, what are the options for higher education and distance education?

Troy University’s Goals To: Ensure student authentication Prevent online cheating Eliminate the need for students to go to a facility to take an exam Eliminate the need for students to have a proctor for an exam Exceed the Regional Accreditation and Federal Regulation requirements

Current Methodologies for Authentication Smart cards Personal Data Verification Biometric Scanners –Physiological Iris scanners Face Recognition Hand (Bone) Recognition DNA Fingerprint Scanner –Behavioral Keystroke Signature Voice

Securexam Remote Proctor Unit Access to test requires finger-scan authentication Captures real-time video and audio during the test Video component designed to display view of entire room Designed to have system detect suspicious behavior, limiting need for constant monitoring: Video has motion detection filter: limiting the amount of video uploaded for review Audio component has a high gain microphone to record audio in room where exam is being taken

Goals for Remote Proctor Use To: –Ensure student authentication »Prevent online cheating –Eliminate the need for students to go to a facility to take an exam –Eliminate the need for students to have a proctor for an exam –Exceed the Regional Accreditation and Federal Regulation requirements

Interface between Blackboard and Securexam Remote Proctor/Browser All test information is handled by the Blackboard software:All test information is handled by the Blackboard software: –Test –Scoring –Answers Demographic information - Students name, picture, address, fingerprint and captured video stored on secure server at Securexam. Note: Remote Proctor stores the students fingerprint in a mathematical algorithm on a secured server. No fingerprint images taken.Demographic information - Students name, picture, address, fingerprint and captured video stored on secure server at Securexam. Note: Remote Proctor stores the students fingerprint in a mathematical algorithm on a secured server. No fingerprint images taken.

Faculty Roles utilizing the Remote Proctor Create Exams using Blackboard Flag Remote Proctored exams using Exambuilder software and Blackboard’s password field Review suspicious student videos

What the Remote Proctor device presents for Troy University Provides a solution to one of the most problematic issues in online education….test integrity - Concerns of educators - Concerns of accrediting agencies - Concerns of providers of FA and TA - Concerns about international students Meets requirements of the HEOA

What does it mean for us? Higher education, and in particular distance education, will now be held more accountable. We need to carefully watch the evolvement of the HEOA. We need to make technology work for us.

Thank You! Deb Gearhart Director of eCampus Troy University