+- Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb)
+-- Forum: Main Category (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-Main-Category)
+--- Forum: General Education-Related Discussion (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-General-Education-Related-Discussion)
+--- Thread: Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change (/Thread-Straighterline-New-Proctor-Policy-Change)
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - cookderosa - 10-08-2012
hmuchmo1 Wrote:It further mentions that certain accounts can and will be flagged prior to the Nov 1 change, these flagged accounts will be required to re-take the final exam with proctoring.
The flagged accounts are for students completing a high number of courses in a very short period of time.
In addition each proctored test will be $30 requiring a 72 hour notice, and if you want it the same day, they tack on $8.75.
So basically it's $99 a month and $69 per class now, which is a still a decent deal.
The thing I can't understand is the open book proctoring? They allow ebooks, which are easily searchable, so why even proctor the exam if this allowed?
I am a self-proclaimed searching master, without knowing the material I am confident I can pass quantum physics exam as a long as I can search for the solutions, formulas and content in an ebook.
Proctoring and Exam Details by Course - StraighterLine
Hmuchmo1, yours is the first mention of flagging. Where did you find that accounts would be flagged? SL on FB denies this, and the SL letter doesn't address it.
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - bldclot2 - 10-08-2012
Jennifer,
Flagging is mention on this page, about a quarter down the page.
How online proctoring works - StraighterLine
StraighterLine’s requirement for all final exams to be proctored takes effect for courses purchased on or after November 1, 2012.
Under our current policy, student accounts may be flagged and require a proctored retake even if the exam is taken prior to November 1, 2012. We typically flag accounts where a student completes a relatively high number of courses during a short period of time, though we know many of our students can and do work through their courses quickly in many cases, especially where they come with prior knowledge of the subject.
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - IrishJohn - 10-08-2012
StraighterLine Team Wrote:In attempts to improve academic integrity StraighterLine will effective November 1st require all students to use proctoring for each course's final exam. This only affects courses purchased on or after November 1st, 2012. Pricing for the $99 subscription model currently requires a one-time $39 registration fee. It will raise to $49 to accommodate the cost. Pricing models for $399 a la carte and $999 Freshman year will see no pricing changes. CEO Burck Smith wrote a letter with the full announcement and details and can be viewed here: StraighterLineâs New Online Proctoring Policy | Burck Smith's CEO Corner
You still have on your website that certain accounts will be flagged and former students required to retake the final exams. I finished my courses in 6 months ago and transferred them to TESC already, no proctoring was required at that time. I can say this: if SL tries to yank these credits now or requires me to pay more money as well as retake the final exams, I will definitely be joining the discussed lawsuit. You cannot change the rules like this months afterwards, that's false advertising at the very least.
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - bldclot2 - 10-08-2012
So, this is where ProctorU hires it's employees from:
Part-Time and Seasonal: Exam Proctor
Assured quality.... Yeah right!!!!
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - scorched - 10-08-2012
cookderosa.. its the on the link listed below, as the 2nd paragraph in the FAQ section.
How online proctoring works - StraighterLine
And it's really frustrating to see SL mandate using only proctorU, give the people choices! For my other proctor requirements, my local library charges exactly $0, not $30, or even $10 include in the new fee.
I for one don't believe Burke Smith's post about it academic integrity, its a money issue, otherwise why make people take proctored exams from only 1 proctor, particularly if it's allowed to be open as book test.
There is no doubt in my mine, I can pass most final exams with the book open, so they need to cut the crap and tell the real story.
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - StraighterLine Team - 10-08-2012
We are updating our website in real time, please be patient with forthcoming details and page updates. We are not going to require a bunch of prior students to come in and retake exams. The policy change is preemptive to prevent future cheating. We just reserve the right to identify previous cheating and act accordingly.
IrishJohn Wrote:You still have on your website that certain accounts will be flagged and former students required to retake the final exams. I finished my courses in 6 months ago and transferred them to TESC already, no proctoring was required at that time. I can say this: if SL tries to yank these credits now or requires me to pay more money as well as retake the final exams, I will definitely be joining the discussed lawsuit. You cannot change the rules like this months afterwards, that's false advertising at the very least.
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - Pjbarney - 10-08-2012
SLT, if someone is going to cheat, they will find a way, and they will still cheat. No one on this forum believes SL policy change is directed toward "integrity."
A month ago, I thought SL would be a good deal. I'm glad I didn't sign up. It's a much better deal for self-paced study students to take a CLEP or DSST and have a choice in who will proctor the test. I see no advantage and many disadvantages to using SL now.
In none of your replies here or on FB have you addressed one major concern: invasion of privacy, as in allowing a stranger access and control of our computers. Proctor U is a business, and it seems anybody can become a proctor. I question Proctor U's and SL's ability to address these concerns to my satisfaction. I would rather study elsewhere, spend gas money to drive an hour and take my CLEP.
Edited to add: I feel the majority of your 'former' students are more trustworthy and have more 'integrity' than Proctor U. it's one thing to offer this service as a choice to those students whose institutions require it, and quite another to now make it a requirement.
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - StraighterLine Team - 10-08-2012
Pjbarney you bring up a few valid points. While it may be true that if someone is going to cheat, they can try...That is hardly justification to not improve academic integrity. Only one pricing model is affected for an increased cost of $10 which will be less than the cost of your gas to drive to take an exam at an in person proctored location. (Not even account for the time spent driving.)
StraighterLine courses are great for any self-paced learner. Those that are already knowledgeable can prove it by taking the assessments. Those that need to learn the material are greatly benefited by our course content that uses McGraw Hill and other high quality resources. The fact that there is no time limit on the class completion is a benefit all of its own. You can't find this kind of flexibility anywhere else. Other services we are going to start offering include the ability to optionally add a professor to your course who will guide you through the content and be able for help. (This is above and beyond the 10 hours of free tutoring per course already currently offered.) You can read about the additional professor service here: Startup that provides online college courses wants to help professors expand reach, while students save - baltimoresun.com
As for your invasion of privacy concerns, what sort of policy could we implement to make you or other students feel comfortable? How is our choice to use a proctoring service which we can monitor any different than other colleges requiring online or in-person proctoring services? The proctor doesn't get control of your computer like you're describing, they can just see what you see. The webcam you use isn't location specific and you can take it on a public computer at a location of your choosing, or in the comfort of your own home. Some students may be concerned about privacy, others will prefer the convenience this service offers. Both types of students have choices.
If I've inadequately addressed anyone's concerns please let me know. We're here to help students. Again, we apologize for the lack of information on this upcoming change and we recognize that we could have done a better job in the release of its information. But in all fairness it hasn't even been a full business day since the change was made public.
Pjbarney Wrote:SLT, if someone is going to cheat, they will find a way, and they will still cheat. No one on this forum believes SL policy change is directed toward "integrity."
A month ago, I thought SL would be a good deal. I'm glad I didn't sign up. It's a much better deal for self-paced study students to take a CLEP or DSST and have a choice in who will proctor the test. I see no advantage and many disadvantages to using SL now.
In none of your replies here or on FB have you addressed one major concern: invasion of privacy, as in allowing a stranger access and control of our computers. Proctor U is a business, and it seems anybody can become a proctor. I question Proctor U's and SL's ability to address these concerns to my satisfaction. I would rather study elsewhere, spend gas money to drive an hour and take my CLEP.
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - Pjbarney - 10-08-2012
Why not offer a choice, Proctor U or a direct exam, without interference from Proctor U at institutions that offer CLEP or DSST testing?
I also found this Proctor U pdf on frequently asked privacy questions:
http://www.swosu.edu/distance/docs/proctoru-privacy-faqs.pdf
I am particularly upset about the third party identity verification company that accesses my personal records, public or otherwise. I'm okay with this when it is required by the IRS or FAFSA, but not Proctor U or Straighterline.
Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change - StraighterLine Team - 10-08-2012
From that PDF: "No, ProctorU cannot access your files. During the initial phase of the proctoring process, ProctorU, with
permission from the test taker, has the ability to view the screen and move their mouse and keyboard as
if the proctor was sitting next to the test taker. The proctor cannot access anything on the test taker’s
computer without the test taker’s knowledge."
The third party identification is FERPA compliant, even according to that PDF.
Pjbarney Wrote:Why not offer a choice, Proctor U or a direct exam, without interference from Proctor U at institutions that offer CLEP or DSST testing?
I also found this Proctor U pdf on frequently asked privacy questions:
http://www.swosu.edu/distance/docs/proctoru-privacy-faqs.pdf
I am particularly upset about the third party identity verification company that accesses my personal records, public or otherwise. I'm okay with this when it is required by the IRS or FAFSA, but not Proctor U or Straighterline.