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U West Alabama Online Test Takers Face Monitoring by Software Security

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 02/12/09

The University of West Alabama will be using a secure environment from Software Security to deliver testing to its 3,000 online students. Students will be able to take Web-based exams with Securexam Remote Proctor, which, according to the company, provides exam-room integrity comparable to what's found in a proctored classroom.

The service controls computer settings, prohibiting it from accessing anything other than the test. It uses fingerprint authentication before granting a student access to the exam. And during the exam, Securexam sends video clips of changes in motion or sound for review by test administrators.

"We have conducted a thorough study of the industry for a solution that will authenticate student identity, ensure that cheating does not occur during exams, and allow the ease of use our students and staff demand," said David Taylor, provost. "It's our responsibility to ensure that the student who receives a degree from UWA is the same one who did the work towards that degree."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

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