AU students can now write exams where they study?at home.
Online invigilation for AU students was launched June 2, 2016, after a successful pilot project. Partnering with online proctoring service ProctorU, AU now offers its students the choice to write online exams from home. With ProctorU, students can schedule exams 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The best part? You don’t have to leave home.
How does online invigilating work? Using ProctorU, your exam will be supervised remotely by a real person. A ProctorU employee will observe you through your webcam; they will also have access to view your computer screen during the exam. Before your exam begins, the proctor will check your identification, guide you through the process, and be available for technical assistance during the exam.
Who can use ProctorU for exam invigilation? Only online exams can be invigilated by ProctorU. To use ProctorU, students must have a computer or laptop (not a tablet,) a webcam, and microphone or speakers. A private area with good lighting and reliable high-speed internet access are also essential. Students contemplating using ProctorU should test their computer equipment on the Am I Ready page of the ProctorU website.
How do I book an exam? Booking an exam with ProctorU is similar to booking with any other AU-approved invigilator, in that you book time with the invigilator first, then request the exam from AU. First, go to the ProctorU website to book an exam time. You’ll need to create an account on the ProctorU site if you haven’t used them previously. After you’ve booked with ProctorU, request your exam through your AU student portal, myAU. On the Select Invigilator step, enter invigilator ID 3278826.
How much does it cost? Students pay ProctorU by credit card when booking an exam. The fees vary by exam length; a three-hour exam, for example,
is currently $33.75 (US funds) if booked in advance. You can view the fee schedule on AU’s Office of the Registrar webpage here.
What do I need to have with me at exam time? You need photo ID, which you will show the proctor through your webcam. You also need a reflective device, such as a handheld mirror, so you can show the proctor what’s out of sight of the webcam?the wall behind your monitor, for example. And, of course, you should have any materials AU has indicated you are permitted to use during the exam, such as scrap paper and a pen (the proctor will also have a list of items permitted.)
I’m ready to book with ProctorU; how do I get started? Start at the ProctorU website. Read the How It Works page to familiarize yourself with the process. Review the Technical Requirements page then check your computer and internet compatibility on the Test It Out page. Create a ProctorU account, then schedule and pay for your exam (don’t forget to request your exam from AU afterwards.) On exam day, log in to your ProctorU account, then press the “Go” button; ProctorU will guide you from there.
Be sure to read ProctorU’s FAQ page for more information. You can also use the Live Chat feature to contact a ProctorU representative if you have questions. For more information from AU, read the June 2, 2016 news announcement, and the AU Office of the Registrar’s Online Invigilation page.
Writing exams at home won’t be for everyone. Some students may prefer going to an invigilator or an exam centre just to ensure a quiet space without interruptions and distractions. However, for other students, online invigilation at home means the convenience of not having to travel to write exams and being able to schedule exams at any time of day.
Bottom line: Online invigilation gives AU students more choice for exams.
Have you used ProctorU for exam invigilation? Let The Voice Magazine know how it went at voice@voicemagazine.org.
Barbara Lehtiniemi is a writer, photographer, and AU student. She lives on a windswept rural road in Eastern Ontario. Follow Barbara on twitter @ThereGoesBarb.
