Did you know that according to various universities, amongst them Longwood University and Forward College, remote online proctoring can help reduce student test anxiety — an actual syndrome that facets over 64% of students?
8 Benefits of Online Proctoring For Companies and Universities
Having access to exams, 24/7/365 gives students more flexibility and reactively assuages triggers that alter a student’s emotional well-being and ultimately end up betraying them when taking an exam. And that’s just one of the benefits of online proctoring.
In this article, we’ll give you a look at what online proctoring is and how this type of platform/software can boost your program’s reputation and credibility — today, online proctoring is more than just about supervising exams and measuring engagement.
What is remote proctoring?
Remote proctoring is a new trend in the education industry. It allows students to take exams from home and be supervised by an instructor.
Online proctoring is a revolutionary method of providing remote examination services to schools, companies – for employee certification – and students who are unable to attend for any reason, such as illness, military deployment, or travel.
In academia, online proctoring services allow students to take exams from their homes, schools, or other remote locations and be supervised by an instructor without being in the same physical location as the examiner.
For companies, remote proctoring is a way for them to cut costs and be more efficient. It can be done through a video call, which saves time and money.
For hiring practices, it allows departments to test candidates on their skills without having to physically host them. The practice can help companies save time and money by cutting down on travel costs and allowing employees to work from home. It also offers benefits like improved security, increased privacy, and reduced distraction.
Today, thanks to advances in remote proctoring and generalized tech, this methodology is constantly breaking new ground and incorporating cutting-edge innovation.
For example, machine learning and AI, have improved at such a scale that online proctoring software has been able to efficiently integrate them into its code — today, AI can review results, and other readings without an actual flesh and bone proctor’s input.
Proctored testing is generally done using a webcam and microphone or by using software that records the student’s screen.
There are 4 types of online proctoring:
1) Self-proctored online exams,
2) Online proctoring with a webcam,
3) Online proctoring with an audio-only connection
4) Online proctoring without any connection at all.
Tests can be done either synchronously or asynchronously.
- Synchronous online proctoring is done through the use of live video, chat, and audio communication. The proctor, the student, and the person administering the test all need to be online at the same time for this type. It is typically used for tests that are too difficult to grade without human interaction such as essay-based tests, math problems, or multiple choice questions with many answers to choose from.
- Asynchronous online proctoring does not require all parties to be online at once and is generally used for simple tests such as multiple choice questions with only one answer to choose from or fill-in-the-blank questions that can be graded
Benefits of remote proctoring for companies and universities
As companies and universities increasingly incorporate online proctoring protocols into their frameworks it is important to understand the benefits such a procedure brings to the table.
In the last couple of years, due in part to the COVID pandemic, online proctoring has become ubiquitous in most environments.
This not only afforded the process more recognition, and better tech – as an investment in the field skyrocketed – but it also gave it prestige — multiple studies, during this time evaluated the framework and managed to unearth some rather startling benefits.
Reducing exam costs
By removing certain burdens – such as administrative and staff – online proctoring can reduce the cost of exams. Also, thanks to test centers now incorporating AI solutions, this type of system can even do away with the human proctor saving the company or educational center that person’s paycheck.
Development of technical infrastructure
Remote online proctoring software gives your business or educational center more credibility. Why? This type of software is mostly error-proof. It can help validate your exams and platforms — mitigating cheating strategies and leveling the playing field for everyone.
It reduces the risk of impersonation, collaboration, looking up answers online, and pre-knowledge of test content. It also removes human biases and favoritism.
Genuine measure of skills
These types of platforms not only create a fair testing environment for participants but can actually give detailed reports on a person’s behavior during test-taking. Identifying patterns and emotional responses beyond the actual test itself.
With the tools, centers can better understand a person’s skill set and how they might perform in the real world outside of the cocoon that is academia.
Allows accommodations
Online proctoring is rather flexible, allowing for accommodation such as extending time limits, adjusting due dates, and even allowing bathroom breaks. Not only that, but thanks to AI, students can schedule exams all year round 24/7.
Time-saving
How much time do instructors waste on exams? How much time does HR waste on skill tests? How much time do employees or students waste on updating their credentials?
This is time that could be spent on covering new material, incorporating new lectures and lessons, on working on a new project. Online proctoring not only saves time, but it allows institutions and businesses to better manage their resources.
The ability to scale to the whole country or the world
Remote online proctoring initiatives are powerful platforms powered by people and software — they can be adapted to any environment and deployed rather quickly to other places or regions. Companies and universities can reach new student or employee pools across the world in a flash.
Accessibility
One of the biggest benefits of online proctoring is that it makes international education – by some of the finest institutions – accessible to all. Students can now gain knowledge while living in the most remote part of the world. Examiners can also take exams for any place on planet Earth.
Suitable for all exams and certifications
Online proctoring software is suitable for all kinds of exams and tests. Including altitude, multiple-choice, essays, subjective exams, etc. It further simplifies the process of assessment by creating an audit both for the student/employee as well as the examiner.
Why consider implementing remote proctoring today?
Online proctoring is a new way to conduct exams and assessments. Remote proctored exams are gaining popularity as they offer a more convenient way to take an exam. It is easier to organize and administer remote proctored exams, which makes them more attractive for both students and universities.
People can take the exams from their home or office, which means that they don’t need to travel to the center for a scheduled exam.
This saves them time and money. Institutions also benefit from remote proctored exams because it’s easier for them to handle scheduling conflicts and it reduces the number of exam days.