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Introduction
Proctorio is an online proctoring tool that integrates with Canvas and can be used for selected online assessments. Instructors using Proctorio are responsible for preparing students for the proctored testing experience, communicating requirements in advance, providing a practice assessment, and reviewing Proctorio reports after an assessment. This FAQ explains how Proctorio works, course and student preparation requirements, accessibility considerations, and faculty responsibilities when using the tool.
Prerequisites
Before using Proctorio in a course, instructors need:
- Authorization for Proctorio to be enabled in the appropriate course section.
- Required Proctorio language and student communications prepared for the course.
- A plan for providing students with a low-stakes Proctorio practice assessment before a high-stakes proctored assessment.
- Familiarity with the computer, browser, webcam, microphone, and internet requirements for Proctorio.
Faculty Proctorio FAQ
What is Proctorio?
Proctorio is an online proctoring software product that integrates with Canvas. It can be used in online courses to provide an additional measure of academic integrity during online assessments.
Proctorio uses automated software rather than a live proctor to monitor selected behaviors during an assessment. After an assessment, Proctorio provides a report that the instructor can review.
Why is online proctoring used?
Online proctoring can help support academic integrity and provide instructors with information to review when concerns arise during an online assessment.
Institutions offering distance education must also have processes for establishing that the student who registers for a distance education course is the same student who participates in and completes the course. These processes may include secure login credentials, proctored examinations, or other technologies and practices used for identity verification.
What does Proctorio monitor?
The information Proctorio monitors depends on the settings selected for an assessment. Monitoring may include video, audio, screen activity, navigation, or similar activity during the assessment.
There is not an individual watching the student live. Proctorio identifies activity based on the assessment settings and flags portions of an attempt for instructor review.
For additional information, review the Proctorio website and Proctorio privacy policy.
What does Proctorio not access?
According to the provided Proctorio guidance:
- Proctorio does not collect clipboard contents.
- Proctorio does not collect browser history, although it may monitor web activity while an assessment is in progress when that option is enabled.
- Proctorio does not collect information from the browser cache.
- Proctorio does not access files stored on the student's hard drive.
Review the Proctorio privacy policy for additional information about data collection and privacy.
How is Proctorio licensing handled?
Proctorio licensing is based on student enrollment in each activated course section that uses the tool. Licensing costs are handled at the institutional or college level for approved course sections. See: How to get Proctorio in your course.
What computer and browser requirements does Proctorio have?
Students need a compatible computer, webcam, microphone, reliable internet connection, and supported web browser. The source guidance identifies current versions of Chrome, Opera, Edge, or Brave as supported browsers.
Review the Proctorio system requirements before using Proctorio for an assessment.
Is faculty training required?
Training is no longer required but support is offered.
Faculty should be familiar with how Proctorio works, recommended assessment settings, required student communication, academic integrity considerations, and the student testing experience. Training is available from Proctorio and campus support staff
What should I communicate to students?
Students should be notified as early as possible that Proctorio will be used for selected assessments. Communication should identify which assessments will use online proctoring and explain the technical and testing requirements.
Course communication should include:
- Notice that online proctoring will be used and which assessments are affected.
- Instructions for accessing and using Proctorio.
- Computer, webcam, microphone, browser, and internet requirements.
- Instructions for obtaining Proctorio support.
- An opportunity to complete a low-stakes practice assessment.
- Recommendations to begin assessments early enough to obtain assistance if problems occur.
- Recommendations to take proctored assessments in a quiet location with a reliable internet connection.
- Information about alternatives (opt-out) or accommodations when applicable.
Students should receive this information in the syllabus and throughout the Canvas course before they are expected to complete a proctored assessment.
Should students complete a practice assessment?
Yes. Students should have an opportunity to complete a low-stakes practice assessment before Proctorio is used for a high-stakes assessment.
The practice assessment allows students to install or configure the required software, verify that their camera and microphone work, confirm browser compatibility, and address technical problems before an exam.
Do not use Proctorio for a high-stakes assessment until students have had an opportunity to complete a practice assessment and reported technical barriers have been addressed.
What support information should I give students?
Students should have access to Proctorio support information within the Canvas course.
The source materials identify the Proctorio Support Center for virtual chat assistance and list 480-428-4076 as the Proctorio Help Desk phone number.
Students experiencing a technical barrier while attempting an assessment should contact Proctorio support as soon as the problem occurs.
What if a student cannot use Proctorio?
Students who encounter insurmountable barriers to completing a Proctorio assessment should contact their instructor to discuss available options.
Depending on departmental policy and the circumstances, alternatives may include another assessment format, testing mode, testing location, or another available course section. Available alternatives are not guaranteed and should follow applicable departmental policies.
What if a student needs a disability-related accommodation?
Students who require disability-related accommodations should work with their instructor and the Accessibility Resource Center.
Some behaviors or assistive technologies may affect Proctorio's automated reporting. For example, movements, speaking aloud, or use of assistive technology may be flagged by automated monitoring even when those activities are related to an approved accommodation. Instructors should consider approved accommodations when reviewing Proctorio reports.
How should I configure a Proctorio assessment?
Use recommended Proctorio settings and select settings based on the format and requirements of the assessment.
Settings related to feedback, presentation, and remote proctoring can affect both the student testing experience and protection of assessment content. Use additional care when configuring assessments that allow open notes, internet access, group participation, or complex response formats.
How do I review a Proctorio report?
After students complete an assessment, review the Proctorio report for attempts that have been flagged for additional review.
Proctorio may sort attempts according to its calculated suspicion level. Selecting a student's attempt allows you to review the associated recording and flagged events. Flagged activity is information for instructor review and should be evaluated in context rather than treated as an automatic determination of academic misconduct.
What should I do if a Proctorio report identifies concerning behavior?
Review the student's attempt and the relevant flagged activity before making a determination.
When an instructor determines that an academic integrity concern may have occurred, follow applicable campus academic integrity and student conduct procedures. Egregious cases may be referred to Student Conduct, Rights, and Responsibilities according to university procedures.
What do I need to do before using Proctorio with students?
To prepare a course for Proctorio, do the following:
- Add the required Proctorio information to the course syllabus and other appropriate student communications.
- Provide students with Proctorio technical requirements and support resources.
- Ensure Proctorio is enabled for the appropriate Canvas course section.
- Create and assign a low-stakes Proctorio practice assessment early in the course.
- Resolve reported student access or technical barriers before a high-stakes assessment.
- Configure the appropriate Proctorio settings for the assessment.
- After students complete the assessment, review the Proctorio reports and evaluate flagged activity in context.
Completing these steps prepares students for the technical requirements of online proctoring and gives instructors the information needed to use Proctorio appropriately during course assessments.
Troubleshooting
If Proctorio is not available in your Canvas course, confirm that you or someone from your department has completed the purchase with Proctorio and that an email confirmation was recieved with the proper course section listed.
If a student cannot begin a Proctorio assessment, have the student verify that they are using a supported browser, have the required Proctorio extension installed, and meet the Proctorio system requirements. Students can also contact the Proctorio Support Center.
If a student requires a disability-related accommodation, work with the student and the Accessibility Resource Center before interpreting activity flagged by Proctorio.