Beginning July 1, 2023, the University of Arizona will no longer conduct room scans as part of the online proctoring process for any of its courses. Students will not be required to provide room scans or show their testing environment through a webcam. This change is being made to recognize and respect the privacy rights of our students. Below, we offer some alternative measures instructors can use to protect academic integrity. This new procedure was developed with advice of several constituent groups and the Office of General Counsel.
Alternative Security Measures
To ensure test integrity, alternate security measures may be implemented to minimize the risk of academic dishonesty.
- Communicate clear guidelines and expectations of acceptable conduct during online exams.
- Randomized question banks, time limits, and other test design strategies may be utilized to minimize the effectiveness of unauthorized assistance.
- Students should be required to adhere to an academic integrity policy that clearly outlines the consequences of cheating or other violations.
- Other proctoring tools and techniques, such as screen recording, audio monitoring, keystroke analysis, and facial recognition, may be employed to detect and deter cheating behavior.
- Information and tutorials on best practices for preparing for and taking online exams should be made available to students in advance of proctored testing.
Continuous Evaluation and Improvement
The effectiveness and fairness of the online proctoring system is regularly evaluated to identify areas for improvement. Feedback from students and instructors is collected and taken into consideration when adjusting proctoring procedures and policies.
This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness. Any necessary updates or modifications will be made in consultation with the appropriate stakeholders. Questions should be directed to Mayra Gomez, mayragomez@arizona.edu.