The global spread of COVID-19 has altered the way educators teach and evaluate students. Also, due to this many educational institutes have started to conduct exams online. Since supervising online exams is difficult, lecturers rely on Honorlock, a service to proctor exams. Currently, several schools and universities have included this automated proctoring service in their digital learning and teaching suites. Honorlock helps instructors create an ethical, responsible virtual examination atmosphere where students can demonstrate their self-directed learning. Do you wonder “What is Honorlock and how does it work?” If yes, then continue reading this blog. Here, you will learn everything about Honorlock.
What is Honorlock?
Artificial intelligence (AI) and live proctors are used in online proctoring to monitor your exam session and offer a fair and supportive testing atmosphere. Video, audio, and other AI technologies are commonly used in proctored examinations to identify possible cases of academic dishonesty. Honorlock makes online proctoring simple, easy, and human by combining AI with live test proctors.
Honorlock is an automatic online proctoring service through which students can take exams remotely. The campus acquires it for seamless integration with the Learning Management System, Canvas LMS. It is utilized to provide a level of academic integrity when taking significant exams online for certain online courses.
How Does Honorlock Work?
A student must fulfill the following prerequisites before using Honorlock to take an exam:
- Chrome web browser from Google
- A webcam and a microphone
- A desktop or laptop running MacOSX, Chrome OS, or Windows 10
- Honorlock Chrome Add-on
- Steady and dependable internet access
- A photograph as an ID
Once all of these requirements are met, you need to perform the following steps:
- Open Honorlock
- Log into Canva
- Visit the course homepage using the Google Chrome browser
- Select the exam you wish to take
- Click on the “Begin Exam” button
As soon as the student presses the “Launch Proctoring” button, Honorlock authentication will begin. The exam session and time start when the student hits the “Begin” button and finishes when the exam is turned in. Honorlock logs the assignment on the Blackboard. The instructor has access to the Blackboard to grade the student’s work and, if needed, check the outcomes of the proctored sessions. The proctoring operations on the browser end when the student leaves the exam. After that, the Honorlock work addon can be disabled or removed by the student.
Also Read: Know the 15 Important Reasons Why is Homework Bad
Methods Used by Honorlock to Detect Cheating
Although this program isn’t optimal, it gives instructors a hint as to how to find out if a student indulges in unethical behavior during exams. Here is how this software identifies cheating:
Identifying students with AI
Honorlock incorporates artificial intelligence for facial recognition, raising an alarm if it finds a face that doesn’t match one in the database. This software verifies that the student taking the exam is the right one by using artificial intelligence to scan the learner’s ID and take a picture of them. Furthermore, Honorlock possesses useful eye-tracking skills. This indicates it is capable of identifying instances in which students attempt to plagiarize other people’s work.
Using the add-on for the browser
This software monitors the browser through an extension, blocking particular actions that students could use to cheat or look up exam answers. The plugin not only monitors but also disables anything that could encourage cheating. As a result, if the Google Chrome extension detects anything unusual, it notifies the instructor. For this reason, Honorlock software does not need to be downloaded and installed on your computer.
Utilizing video streams and webcams
Are you wondering if Honorlock records you when you take an exam? Yes! This software records a video of the student completing an exam. It additionally means that the instructor can observe all of the activities the student completes throughout the exam and identify any questionable behavior, such as the use of a secret notepad or book. Thus, if Honorlock work notices anything that looks like cheating, he flags it and notifies the instructor.
Locating additional devices
Is Honorlock able to identify other devices? However, Honorlock can view phones connected to the network. This implies that it can identify any gadget that a student might utilize to access the exam content while taking an online course. Additionally, this proctoring service records the student’s screen as well as any program used throughout the exam.
Honorlock Exam Attending Tips
It is not possible to take Honorlock exams on a mobile device. However, a computer with a working video camera and microphone along with a current version of Chrome are the main requirements needed for taking an Honorlock exam. Here are a few tips that can help you take an Honorlock exam successfully:
- Choose a space that is distraction-free, peaceful, and comfortable to take your exam in.
- It should be well-lit, with nothing cluttered on your desk or surrounding you.
- There shouldn’t be any other individuals in the room with you. But if they do unintentionally enter, don’t panic!
- Your instructor shouldn’t normally ask for a room scan. A room scan can be necessary for certain Federal and State certification exams.
However, students may run across several difficulties when taking exams online. These can include having dependable technology or internet access, as well as a peaceful, distraction-free area to take the exam. Therefore, it is advised that students discuss this information with their instructor(s) at the start of the semester and before completing an Honorlock exam.
What Does Honorlock Do?
Honorlock automated proctoring does the following.
- Offer a fair and safe learning environment for students to take exams in
- Interface with Canvas and provide adjustable settings that let instructors establish guidelines for test-taking, like using a calculator, specific websites (if any), or paper and pencil to indicate work as it is being done.
- Fulfill the accessibility requirements of the students. Instructors collaborate with students and their designated Access Consultant in conjunction with the McBurney Disability Resource Center to provide any necessary modifications in Honorlock, such as extending testing times, providing more resources, or utilizing a screen reader.
- Utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and a Google Chrome browser extension to monitor and/or restrict student behavior during an exam or quiz. The extension only works while the student is taking the examination.
- Use FERPA to safeguard student privacy. FERPA protects all exam-related data, which is only utilized for instructional reasons. Access to student data may be restricted to UW–Madison staff who have a legitimate educational interest in the material.
Honorlock has been subjected to a thorough and methodical clearance process that includes campus legal and IT specialists.
Also Read: What are the Pros and Cons of Homework?
Final Thoughts
Honorlock is a powerful academic integrity solution that uses modern technology to guarantee a balanced and safe online testing environment. Honorlock work actively tackles the difficulties associated with remote assessments by providing features like browser lockdown, identity verification, and live proctoring. The prevention and identification of possible cases of cheating are facilitated by the system’s inventive detection techniques and ongoing monitoring. Instructors and educational institutions can accept online examinations with confidence and uphold the integrity of the assessment process by being aware of features associated with Honorlock.
FAQs
How do education institutes cover the cost of Honorlock?
The university purchases Honorlock licenses, which are available in all Canvas course sections that make use of the feature.
Is live proctoring an essential component of Honorlock, or are there other ways to monitor exams?
Although Honorlock offers live proctoring as one of its features. However, automated proctoring is also a possibility. Instructors can select the level of observation that best fits their needs for evaluation.
Can students utilize notes or textbooks during Honorlock-monitored exams?
It is up to the instructor to establish guidelines regarding the use of outside resources during exams. However, instructors have the flexibility to allow or restrict access to specific materials based on the requirements of the assessment.
