Guidance for Offering Online Exams in the Event of a Transition to Remote Instruction

The following recommendations will provide guidance for offering online exams in the event that NJIT needs to transition to fully-remote learning. 
Guidance for Transitioning to Remote Instruction

Getting Started

One of the bigger challenges associated with remote learning involves assessing learning outcomes. Many face-to-face courses require students to take in-person proctored exams. Additional steps will need to be taken in order to offer an online proctored exam, these include:

  1. Putting the exam in Canvas: Paper based exams need to be digitized for delivery using Canvas.
  2. Select a Proctoring solution: NJIT offers options to provide online proctored exams.
  3. Communicating with students: Students will need regular and detailed communication about the assessment process.
  4. Grading: Grading process will vary depending on how the exams are configured and offered.

Considerations

Any event that would precipitate a transition to remote instruction has the potential to disrupt/negatively impact students (e.g. a storm where students are without power or internet, a pandemic where students or their immediate family may be sick). In these cases it is important to keep in consideration that:   

  • Some students may lack adequate resources to connect remotely, this may include internet connectivity, power, a quiet place for meeting, a webcam, a computing device. 
  • It is recommended for students to take exams on computing devices rather than mobile devices.  

Instructors are encouraged to be flexible during these events and should direct students to the Dean of Students (dos@njit.edu) as appropriate. 

Steps

Step 1: Putting the exam in Canvas

To begin, an exam must be either created in or uploaded to Canvas. Considerations: Instructors interested in using Respondus LockDown Browser (proctoring) will need to create an exam. 

  1. Create an exam: Exams can be created within the Quiz feature in Canvas. The fastest and easiest way to do this is to copy and paste the questions from a WORD or PDF document into the quiz (unfortunately, there is no automatic conversion tool). The below resources have detailed information regarding Classic Quizzes. 
  2. Upload an exam: Upload the current exam (e.g. PDF file) into the Assignment feature in Canvas. This option allows students to write their answers on blank sheets of paper and upload within a specified time frame. The below resources have detailed information regarding Assignments.

Step 2: Choose a Proctoring Tool

While NJIT has a number of online proctoring options available, only Respondus LockDown Browser can be used in the event of an abrupt transition to remote instruction. A videoconferencing platform such as Webex or ZOOM may also be used in combination with Respondus for Live Instructor proctoring. This limitation is due to the fact that ProctorU requires exams to be created and scheduled in advance. 

  1. Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor: Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) is a special web browser that blocks students from navigating to other websites while taking an exam, accessing Canvas course materials, and accessing files/software on their computer. Students need to download and install Respondus LDB on their computers. Respondus Monitor is an additional feature that records students as they take an exam and uses artificial intelligence to flag potential academic integrity violations. This option requires students to have a webcam. The below resources have detailed information regarding Respondus. 
    1. How to set up Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor
    2. Important Notes: 
  2.  Proctoring exams using LockDown Browser + Live Proctoring: Respondus LockDown Browser may be used in combination with a video conferencing platform such as ZOOM or Webex for the Instructor to Live proctor their students. While the video conferencing exam session is scheduled by the instructor, the Canvas quiz is password protected through Respondus. Students must connect to the Webex session via either computer or mobile device. When the instructor is ready to start the exam, they will provide the exam password so all students may begin the quiz. The instructor then proctors the students remotely via the web camera, as students take the exam. Student expectation is to remain connected to the Webex session throughout the duration of the exam. While video conferencing is used in conjunction with Respondus, students do not see each other, but do see the host. The host can see all student environments. Please see the LockDown Browser + Live Proctoring article for step-by-step instructions and visuals.

Step 3: Communicating with Your Students

It is important to effectively communicate how the exam will be offered with your students in a number of ways. The below resources have detailed information regarding communicating with students. 

Important Reminders: 

  • A Canvas course must be published in order for announcements and Canvas Inbox messages to be sent to those students. 
  • While the Canvas default is to have notifications turned on for both Announcements and the Canvas Inbox, students have the ability to turn these notifications off. 

Step 4: Grading

Once the exam is digitized (see step 1) and taken by students, SpeedGrader may be used by the instructor to grade, annotate, and provide feedback to students. 

  • Quizzes: SpeedGrader will show the quiz questions, answers, and file submissions (if applicable) for each student along with a timestamp and length of student submission . 
  • Assignments: SpeedGrader will display the file submissions for each student. 

Once graded, the grades will appear in the Canvas Gradebook. 

Important Reminder: Any academic integrity concerns should be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students.