Mobile Phone Detectors

[Gongalong]

(I hope this is the right forum as I couldn't see a good fit anywhere)

 

Hi All,

 

I've been asked by our Exams Officer here whether there are any recommended mobile phone detectors. I've spotted a couple on the web, but wary of buying something snake oil-y.

 

I appreciate there are other approaches such as more concerted invigilation, metal detectors, (illegal) jammers etc. but I'm specifically after a recommendation for a detector.

 

TIA

[Danp]

Metal detector?

[Gongalong]

At a discussion on our local county group that was suggested. I'm thinking it's the better option because you can stick a phone in airplane mode and still store huge amounts of info on it.

 

Although the original request was for a mobile phone detector, which I'm guessing means something that will pick up the radio signals. Apparently exam inspectors, that check the schools are enforcing the rules and regulations properly, have mobile phone detectors.

[tech_guy]

We have one of these:

 

https://www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk/burglary-fire-safes/personal-security-equipment/personal-metal-detector.html

 

It works

 

Start doing the first few kids in the queue and the rest are busy chucking their phones etc in to the plastic buckets on the way in when they see what's happening at the front.

Edited April 24, 2015 by tech_guy

[themightymrp]

I think the metal detector idea is the way to go. Like you mentioned above, a phone can just be put into flight mode but still store LOADS of info on a memory card - and my phone is a Windows phone so has MS Office on it! Cheating possibilities are endless

[crc-ict]

How would you cope with things like keys and coins in pockets if you use a metal detector?

 

Isn't this is a classic case of looking for a technical solution to a supervision problem? Surely the invigilators should be able to spot someone pulling out a phone and looking up answers, wearing earphones etc.

[elsiegee40]

How would you cope with things like keys and coins in pockets if you use a metal detector?

 

Isn't this is a classic case of looking for a technical solution to a supervision problem? Surely the invigilators should be able to spot someone pulling out a phone and looking up answers, wearing earphones etc.

 

Better they're not cheating in the first place. If they are caught during one exam, all results become invalid.

 

A simple metal detector will force the kids to empty their pockets and show that what they have on them can't be used for cheating. Don't forget that an iPod touch can store everything that a phone can ... it's just as bad. Better the metal detector than a phone detector

[SteveBentley]

It's not just phones - there are brands of smartwatch that are being promoted specifically as exam cheating devices

 

[Garacesh]

A simple metal detector will force the kids to empty their pockets and show that what they have on them can't be used for cheating. Don't forget that an iPod touch can store everything that a phone can ... it's just as bad. Better the metal detector than a phone detector

Yep, this is true. Let's not forget, an exam invigilator would be able to spot wired headphones, but think about how many devices have bluetooth these days? Wireless earbud + long hair = invisible cheating. I'd still personally say that some kind of device-detector (be it radio waves, metal, whatever) might be still a little on the side of paranoid, but we're definitely going to see more of these things in time. Start early, I guess?