Over the previous decade, the education and assessment of professionals has significantly changed in a way that the world has never seen before. One of the main factors that have revolutionised the assessment sector is the COVID-19 pandemic. A pandemic shifted assessments to online platforms, allowing people to work from almost anywhere including their own homes This is the reason for the need of remote proctoring, ensuring security and validity of the examination process.
The Evolution of Remote Proctoring
Remote proctoring as a whole is not a new phenomenon but an increasing number of students require a higher level of security and flexibility, which popularised the concept. In the beginning, when online assessments were first introduced, there were problems with the ability to maintain exam integrity and cheaters management. Methods of monitoring and proctoring were not applicable in various lockdowns therefore there was a need to create new kinds of remote services.
In the first stages of implementing remote monitoring, remote human proctors’ supervision was done by monitoring CCTV cameras. Artificial Intelligence and different types of algorithms completely changed the game and the more efficient online proctoring tools were developed.
What is Remote Proctoring?
Remote proctoring means the supervision of online exams through technology that controls the actions of a candidate to avoid examination malpractices. Depending on the nature of the proctoring services, there may be real-time monitoring, post record monitoring or even AI technologies.
Types of Remote Proctoring
- Live Proctoring: Candidates are monitored over the webcam and a microphone by an instructor using this method which is quite traditional to invigilation. This method is recommended for operational proctor exams of the highest stakes that require human judgement.
- Recorded Proctoring: During the exam, there is a wide leeway which allows the proctors to go back to the time-stamped video in order to check for abnormal behaviours during the exam. However, it can also be easily delivered on a relatively higher scale because it takes longer for the proctors to do so.
- Automated Proctoring: This is the most superior technique that is able to carry out surveillance of participants during the examination through the use of AI technology. There are automated frameworks that notice all forms of possible cheating ranging from abnormal eye movements and extra people in the room. Such frameworks have the potential to flag questionable actions and submit them for further evaluation.
How Technology is Shaping the Future of Remote Proctoring
Technological advancements have been the forces driving the growth and development of remote proctoring. The development of AI, machine learning and data analytics have all contributed towards the development of remote proctoring systems. However, there are various trends of online assessments in terms of services rendered that have taken notable turns for the better.
- The role of AI and Machine Learning related to Proctoring Services:
If there is a single aspect that stands out as the most sophisticated in the systems that have been developed to enhance remote control of examinations, it is the incorporation of artificial intelligence. Rather than human supervisors who are forced to stare at a screen watching test takers, AI proctored solutions involve the use of software where image eyegaze, facial features, and posture are analysed to identify test cheaters. Such systems are also self training and thus with time the false alarms rate improves, considering in such systems very little physical supervision is needed even when agitated.
- Biometric Authentication:
In case of online examinations, the most significant factor is the identification of the candidates present. As a result, the increasing utilisation of AI supported ID verification systems and face recognition systems to safeguard the sick during the exam from any intruders. Other biometric methods such as voice recognition and finger-printing also assist in minimising chances of impersonation.
- Behavioural Analytics:
There are also systems that are increasingly being adopted in determining whether the candidates are indulging in any cheating activities based on the users’ past behaviours. Such tools which process enormous corpus of data can as well develop what is normal and what is abnormal or excessive behaviour in test-taking situations.
- Systems of Proctoring of Multi-Modal:
The integration of video, audio and screen supervision increases the level of monitoring. In multi-modal proctoring, the test taker’s screen and webcam and microphone are recorded to help mitigate any chances of cheating during the test.
- Scalability on the Cloud:
The introduction of cloud computing has greatly enhanced the scope of remote proctoring services. With cloud-based systems, education providers are able to administer hundreds of tests at the same time without the need of vast physical structures making it effective for mass testing.
- Deterrence to Cheating:
Most advanced AI-based systems at present are designed to identify and even eliminate the risks of cheating in real time. For instance, certain systems are able to prevent the use of external software and also limit the access to particular sites during the examination.
Examination System for attending exams from remote locations – Think Proctor
Think Proctor by Think Exam, is one of the innovations that have been made in remote proctoring and it is specific to meet the needs of educational systems, governments, and corporations as they evolve. Think Proctor has a full range of proctoring services designed to protect the online examinations’ integrity with minimum discomfort to the candidates and to the examination administrators.
Think Proctor features at a glance:
AI Based Image Proctoring: Only picture validation won’t do it all! So Think Proctor makes use of current facial recognition techniques to ensure that the person taking the exam will be the only one present in the exam virtually and physically.
AI-Based ID Verification: This system is used to ensure that all met profiles match candidates’ identities both prior to and during the examination thus helping to prevent identity fraud.
CCTV Monitoring: Recorded HD footage of the entire examination period can be stored in a Cloud for any subsequent use for example in revaluation of papers after an exam, where students contest between each other.
Real-time Monitoring: For examinations where stakes are very high, Think Proctor does offer real-time intervention where an actual supervisor observes all the activities throughout the examination period and takes actions on any provable malpractices.
Conclusion:
Now, Think Proctor provides institutions with the capacity to replace the traditional mode of examinations which presents in campus assessments with online assessments without compromising on the integrity of assessments. The interface of this platform is friendly and the tools are artificial intelligence powered which help in creating a protective cover to the candidates sitting for the exams without being bothersome.
