Securing and Proctoring Online Tests

Abstract

Online course delivery has introduced a new spectrum of opportunities not only for innovative pedagogical approaches, but also for cheating. This chapter provides instructors with methods to deter students from cheating in online assessments either by limiting the opportunity to cheat or by reducing their motivation for doing so. Through an extensive discussion of research literature, we provide an exploration of cheating that includes: definitions, cost and effects, ethical considerations, motivations for cheating, role of organizational policy, history and recent examples. In this exploration, both technological solutions and instructional design solutions to reduce cheating are examined. This chapter looks closely at the capabilities and limitations of online testing and the tools technology provides to reduce cheating. We emphasize the role of instructional design in securing online tests. We conclude with a discussion on future trends.