AI-Powered Remote Proctoring: A Paradigm Shift in managing Online Examinations Seamlessly

The COVID-19 outbreak has radically reshaped the landscape of the education sector. It has converted the conventional classroom into a virtual one. Increasingly, examinations and tests are taking place online. However, monitoring students during online exams continues to be the Achilles heel for schools and universities. Educational institutions have been grappling with securing the integrity of online exams. They are opting from a range and combination of remote proctoring solutions.

One way of remotely proctoring exams is allowing students to appear for exams from the safety of their homes, while a live proctor monitors student activity remotely. This mode, however, is prone to many vulnerabilities and is proving to be unviable on a large scale.

Challenging the Status Quo with AI-enabled tools

As schools and universities steer away from traditional modes of evaluation and embrace online exams, educators continue to seek better and smarter ways of assessing learners. They are challenging the status quo of using live proctors for online exams by exploring emerging

AI-based remote proctoring technologies to ensure a secure, reliable, scalable, convenient, and smooth exam experience.

What is AI-enabled Remote Proctoring?

AI-enabled remote proctoring is the most advanced form of remote proctoring. It is very similar to real-time human proctoring. It mainly focuses on three areas – detection of identity fraud, analysis of cheating behavior, and discovery of content theft.

Its advanced auto-detection technology eliminates the need for live proctors, thereby removing the possibility of human error and bias. It securely oversees the entire exam by continuously verifying the test-taker’s identity; monitoring his behavior, screen, environment, and audio-video feeds; and accurately auto-detecting and flagging suspicious activity and misconduct. It also analyzes the test-taker’s overall behavior to provide a suspicion score at the end of the exam.

Types of AI technologies used for Remote Proctoring

AI-enabled remote proctoring uses the following AI technologies:

Pattern Recognition: Students that indulge in cheating display specific behaviors. By scrutinizing and analyzing the available data, AI can detect patterns in these suspicious behaviors. For example, repeatedly attempting to switch tabs.

Facial Recognition: This feature can be used in multiple ways. AI can verify the test-taker’s identity using facial pattern data and detect any new faces appearing in the testing environment. For example, identification of the face of a third-party assisting the student.

Voice Recognition: Sounds from different sources have distinct characteristics. AI picks up and recognizes speech patterns and sounds in the testing environment to verify them against background noises to identify instances of cheating. For example, sound from an audio system or the voice of a third-party.

Eye Movement Detection: AI uses facial key-points to recognize eye movement patterns to identify instances when the test-taker looks straight at the screen or when he averts his gaze to look at mobile phones, books, or any other objects. For example, repeatedly looking away from the screen in a particular direction.

Mouth Detection: AI measures the distance between the lip key-points. If the lip-points of the test-taker increase beyond a specific value, the event is noted. For example, moving lips while speaking to a third-party to elicit answers.

Plane Detection: The spatial definition of the test-taker’s physical environment, when combined with object recognition, enables the AI software to comprehensively understand the testing environment and detect any variations in it. For example, moving from one room to another during the exam or using a mobile phone.

Advantages of AI-driven Remote Exam Proctoring

AI is sharper and more accurate than a pair of human eyes. It can serve up warnings for the minutest inconsistencies in the testing environment and generate real-time alerts for discrepancies in the test-taker’s behavior. It mimics human intelligence by continuously learning from its environment and the aberrant behavior of users. As it gathers and crunches increasing amounts of data, it automatically evolves to become smarter and more accurate over time.

AI-driven remote proctoring improves the credibility and authenticity of online exams by flawlessly flushing out proxy test-takers. It automatically takes action against the test-takers engaged in any form of malpractice. By reducing administrative expenses and logistical hassles, it proves to be a cost-effective option. Moreover, its efficiency helps educational institutions scale online exams with confidence. It offers instant plug-and-play integration with existing LMS, multiple devices, and browsers. It also provides optimal performance on low bandwidth networks and low speeds.

Choosing the Right AI-Driven Remote Proctoring Tool

The online examination format is rife with loopholes that tempt test-takers to use their “creativity” to indulge in cheating. Live proctors that monitor online exams can easily be hoodwinked by students using a plethora of unethical means to evade detection. However, AI proctoring detects fraud with unprecedented accuracy. It has unlocked the potential of conducting online exams at scale without compromising on integrity.

In addition to superior features, an ideal AI remote proctoring tool must offer the following: detection of dishonesty and violations of integrity with maximum precision; customizable features to fit unique requirements; amenability to any form of online exams such as MCQs and essays; a rigorous reporting system; 24*7 technical support team for instant troubleshooting and quick resolution of time-sensitive issues; compliance with privacy laws regarding the collection, use, processing, and storage of user information; security against unauthorized access and use of data; be subject to security audits; and have a robust security-breach reporting protocol that detects intrusions and contains them immediately.

Educators are excited to lead the much-needed paradigm shift in the management of online examinations. The adoption of AI-driven remote proctoring has expanded the horizon of global education by allowing students from remote locations to gain access to top universities worldwide. Today, a student, based in Nagpur, can attend a course on Leadership and Management from Harvard University, US. He can also receive his e-certificate immediately after completing his AI-proctored test.

AI-driven remote proctoring is pushing the envelope by delivering a robust, seamless and holistic examination experience to both educators and candidates. HirePro, a pioneer in state-of-the-art AI-powered remote proctoring technology, is leading the way in this domain.

References:

–The Economic Times
–Analyticsindiamag.com
–suyati.com
–Universityaffairs.ca