TESC: Online Proctored Exams

[ryoder]

Its not that inconvenient. One problem I had was that my room was too dark for the proctor to see me. So I had to open the blinds with the sun shining right in my face. It made my eyes water. I tried to abstain from rubbing my eyes or having my eyes dart around because I didn't want to get labeled as cheating or something. So it was a little uncomfortable for me. I think I need to move more lights into that room.
I also don't like people I don't know using my computer. But I'll use them anyway because its quick and easy.

[nleamons]

ProctorU is a good service, but I am wary of the remote access that I give to the proctors, but I have one more test to take through ProctorU. I recommend setting up a basic user account from which to take the test instead of using the admin account. This is what I do. This way, I can avoid the gas expenses as much as possible. Sometimes, people may have to buy an external webcam because their computers may not have a built-in webcam. The one that I purchased comes with lights. It is not only quicker and easier to take the exams, but the grading is much faster than the paper exams. Most of the online exams that I have taken were usually graded within a week compared to two or three weeks for the paper exams.

[mrs.b]

I just had my first ProctorU experience for a midterm, and I have to say, I'm now a fan. I was able to take the exam at night, after the kid is in bed, without taking time off from work. My proctor, Baylee, was friendly and helpful, and quite patient with my lack of technical savvy (during the intro setup, I had to call my husband to help at one point). I did not find it invasive as I thought I might; after we did the initial connection business, the camera window was in another tab where I did not have to stare at myself and could focus. And, I did run into a few technical issues, namely, I think my internet is too shaky and we briefly lost connection, but I stopped what I was doing, messaged her when it came back up a split-second later (never longer than a second or two), and she got it working again and let me continue...the 3 or 4 times it happened. That one isn't their fault; we've had issues lately with our internet. I just hoped it would behave tonight, but at least it only dropped for a second and picked right back up.

Most beneficial of all, for me at least, is my usual test-taking anxiety was absent. For tests - CLEP or any proctored exam at a testing site - by the time I get there, I'm a bundle of nerves, incapable of forming the most basic thought, and typically on my way to hyperventilation. (Luckily, my usual proctor is the most patient, grandmotherly sort, but still. It's not the biggest confidence boost to start a test.) This time, I did my usual evening routine of dinner, kiddo time and bedtime, then it was time to take the test at my own desk. Miss Baylee was so cheerful, by the time I took a deep breath and was really in the "okay, I'm going to take a test" mindset, the exam started...and I was able to think right away, without the usual 15 minutes of staring blankly at my exam, waiting for a thought to click into place so I could proceed. I can't say yet whether that had a direct impact on my grade, but it was very nice not to be completely panicked when beginning an exam that is 30% of my grade.

My husband will run the usual re-security checks later, but at first glance, he said he did not notice any lingering apps to worry about.

Thought I'd chime in with the experience.