Remotely Testing pupils?

[joeg41980]

Hello

 

I have been asked to look into how we deliver remotely, mock tests in March. We need a mechanism to deliver the test to the students, have invigilators monitor the exam via webcams.

 

Currently using Microsoft office 365 and Teams to deliver lessons.

 

Is there anyone doing a similar thing? Any advice on how we would achieve this would be really helpful

 

Thank you

[jmak]

First reaction is there are loads of issues with that, starting with being able to insist that all pupils allow you to have video access to their home and in many cases their bedrooms. I'd be amazed if you can get past the child protection issues.

 

After that, I'd say your biggest problem will be the ratio of invigilators to pupils; how many screens can an invigilator monitor effectively?

 

My approach would be to restrict the time available (by releasing the question paper only at the start of the test and withdraw access to both the questions and the file being used for answers at the end of the allowed time. I'd make it an open book exam - if the questions are set with that in mind, you can still test knowledge - as a start restrict the time available so that pupils don't have time to look up the answers. It's possible to make it so that even if candidates look up the answers to reassure themselves, they have to know the content inside out.

 

Realistically, mocks taken remotely aren't going to be possible to control in a way that replicates real exams. It should be possible to set something that will allow the school to create a representative distribution of pupils to award reasonably accurate grades. If the purpose is for pupils to practice sitting an exam in controlled conditions, it goes back to the mantra "the only person you're cheating is yourself".

 

Not all problems need technical solutions...

[Protec]

I can't imagine the results being very credible if I'm honest.

[Danp]

My daughter had to do a remote assessment, it was conducted over Teams as if it was a normal lesson but she had to leave her camera on. The session was recorded and the teacher was keeping a eye on a few of them.

[SamanthaD]

I did ITIL training last year during lockdown. Exam requirements were camera on and remote desktop viewing software installed. Start of the exam the laptop had to be lifted up to show the desk was clear (not even a glass of water) and the room was empty (fully rotated around the room). Camera stayed on throughout.

 

When I found this was the way the exam was to be taken I asked to do it in person at a later date.

[Protec]

I've heard about ways to cheat in those sort of exams; sticking notes around the screen and / or clear plastic with notes on the screen.