Proctoring Services
Online proctoring can prevent cheating on exams that are given remotely, through NS Online/D2L. Online proctoring takes the place of the classic human proctor, who might physically watch students taking a paper exam in a classroom. These proctoring services also seek to improve efforts in student authentication while retaining the same levels of academic integrity of examinations that take place in our classrooms.
By contrast, online proctoring tools are fully automated and use a student’s webcam to record exam sessions. This allows students to take exams when and where they choose, without the direct supervision of an instructor. Online proctoring can thus help to preserve the integrity of exams while allowing students the flexibility they need from online learning.
Nashville State’s Office of Online Learning supports the following for online proctoring:
LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within a learning management system. Review how LockDown Browser works for a deeper understanding. Please note that LockDown Browser only affects the student’s web browser for a proctored exam. To enable recording features, you will need to also use Respondus Monitor as a fully automated proctoring solution. Students use a webcam to record themselves during an online exam. Afterward, flagged events and proctoring results are available to the instructor for further review.
For best proctoring results, use Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor together when enabling proctoring for online exams.
Resource Links
Information, guides, and webinars for Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor can found on the Respondus Resources Website.
- Respondus Knowledge Base
- Instructor Quick Start Guide Respondus
- Student Quick Start Guide Respondus
- Proctoring Video Guides
- Visit the Respondus Support section for technical questions or to submit a ticket.
- Respondus Monitor integrates seamlessly with learning systems like Pearson MyLab and Mastering, McGraw Hill ALEKS, Cengage WebAssign, and Hawkes Learning. Students and instructors access exams within their learning system as they normally would, including the post-exam review of proctoring results.
Syllabus & Course Information
Supported online proctoring tools are reserved for online course delivery. If you require online students to take a remotely proctored exam, you should identify the service, cost, and any hardware requirements including the type of computer, camera, or microphone, and support services available within the course syllabus at the beginning of the semester.
Additionally, be prepared to supply your exam with specifications about any allowed testing aids, time limits, or use of proctoring tools in advance. Clear verbiage must be stated in your syllabi on expectations for proctored exams and available at the start of the semester.
If you require on-ground or hybrid course students to take in-person proctored exams at the Testing Center, inform your students of Testing Center policies and scheduling procedures in your course syllabus at the beginning of the semester. Instructors cannot require students in an online or virtual course to travel to a testing center to take an exam. An online student may opt out of taking an online proctored exam to take the exam in the NSCC Testing Center (see opt-out statement below).
Student Privacy and Accessibility in Remotely Proctored Exams
Faculty may review the linked resources below related to student privacy concerns and FERPA compliance during remotely proctored exams. Instructors are advised to also share information about privacy policies, linked below, with students in advance of remotely proctored exams.
NSCC Accessibility Information
In-Person Proctoring is available at The Nashville State Testing Center
The Testing Center provides a secure proctored environment for testing at Nashville State Community College to protect the integrity of all tests. The Nashville State Testing Center maintains and adheres to all standards set forth by the National College Testing Association (NCTA). The Testing Center provides Accuplacer placement testing, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Graduate Exit Exams, and other proctored testing.
Instructors can elect to enable virtual proctoring for exams taken at the Testing Center. They may also disable virtual proctoring for students who choose to take their exam in person, rather than being remotely proctored.
Testing Opt-Out Statement
Please note that some or all the assessments in an NS Online/D2L course may require the use of online video proctoring services. For these proctored assessments, students are required to have access to (1) a quiet, private, solitary setting in which to take the assessment, (2) a webcam either internal or external to their computer, (3) a microphone either internal or external to their computer, (4) a computer with admin privileges in order to download the appropriate browser and plug-in to operate the virtual proctor, and (5) a reliable internet connection.
Should students not have access to the technological requirements listed above, or should they simply prefer to have an in-person proctor, they may opt out of the virtual proctoring requirement. Opting out of the virtual proctoring will require that the student take the assessment in one of the Nashville State's Testing Centers. In this case, the student will be required to schedule the assessment in accordance with Testing Center policies and adhere to all additional Testing Center, procedures, protocols, and requirements.
If choosing to opt-out of virtual proctoring, students must contact their instructor within two weeks of a scheduled exam and request that the instructor contact the Testing Center to schedule the exam.
Support
The Office of Online Learning recommends that instructors provide some resources to their students in the event of technical issues or questions.
For assistance with on-campus computers, please contact the Nashville State Service Desk. For faculty and D2L support, please contact online.learning@nscc.edu.
Respondus Support provides resources for technical questions or ticket submissions for both instructors and students.
