Online proctoring (eProctoring) offers students the possibility of writing exams off-campus, while assuring academic integrity is maintained. In order to accomplish this, students may write an assessment in an online environment, supervised by a remote proctor who will ensure that the test proceeds according to the instructor’s specified protocols.
The University of Toronto has an agreement with a provider, Proctortrack, which has been fully vetted for information security and data management practices.
Digital Learning Initiatives portfolio provides consultation and support for eProctoring implementation. Contact digital.learning@utoronto.ca for more information.
Institutional Requirements and Approval
Decisions regarding appropriate use of third-party online proctoring services are the responsibility of divisional academic leadership. Divisional approval is required by the Dean or Dean’s designate prior to use, which is typically implemented to meet requirements for professional program assessments and qualifying exams.
In most cases, an entire program contracts with the vendor for the service, supported by local program administration. Another scenario would be accommodation of individual students who are unable to attend their exam on campus. Online proctoring services may be used for online, hybrid or face-to-face courses as needs dictate.
Service Models
Proctortrack offers a range of service features to ensure academic integrity is maintained. Example strategies include:
- Students show photo identification to webcam to verify identity
- Room scan confirmation prior to entering an online testing session
- Live proctor observes student taking the test via webcam
- Screen-sharing technology allows proctor to view student computer screen
- Browser lock-down software can be used to restrict access to other computer applications
- Recording of student taking exam
- Review of recording by human proctor after exam
- Automated video review and flagging processes to increase accuracy and efficiency
View a condensed workflow for online proctoring service (pdf).
Live Proctoring
- Automated self-onboarding by students through Quercus
- Live monitoring of test taker via webcam and mic during exam and report provided
- Testing integrity results further analyzed with AI
Review of Recording by Proctor
- Automated self-onboarding by students through Quercus
- Automated recording during test
- Review of recording by human proctor after completion and report provided
Automated for Instructor Review
- Automated self-onboarding by students through Quercus
- Automated recording during test
- Integrity reports made available for instructor self-review
Service Agreement
The service agreement that has been negotiated with the vendor requires the academic program area invigilating the exam to cover the cost.
A range of levels of service is available, including live proctoring and also recording with review and/or automated analysis. Costs vary depending on the level of service needed to appropriately ensure academic integrity. A high-stakes exam may require fully live invigilation, while for a mid-term test the record and review method may be deemed sufficient.
Academic Integrity
Each potential use of third-party online proctoring services will have contextual differences and the specific application of use of these technologies must follow the principles and practices outlined in existing University policies, including:
Roles and Responsibilities
Instructors or Program Administrators
The instructor or course administrator responsible for the course must oversee the process and configure the permissions for the proctoring experience (e.g., instructions, allowable supports, testing rules, etc.).
Follow-up and decisions on action related to any issues flagged by the proctoring process are also their responsibility.
Academic administrators responsible for oversight of the use eProctoring should consult the Provostial Guidelines for Online Assessment Invigilation.
Students
Students must have a reliable internet connection and computer with sufficient capacity to support live video invigilation and/or recording processes. Mobile devices and tablets are not sufficient.
The exam will be scheduled in a specific window, or students may be permitted to choose a timeslot within a specified period. The student is responsible for ensuring their internet connection and computer are fully functional prior to the exam.
Educational Technology Professionals
Educational Technology Professionals may provide support within program areas as capacity allows.
Setting up online tests and exams requires the use of the University of Toronto LME, Quercus, as a testing environment.
It is helpful to have a divisional technology specialist available during invigilation of larger groups of students simultaneously to act as a liaison.
Student Support
Students may be anxious regarding the technical aspects of writing a test or exam online with a remote proctor or recording. In order to ensure students are comfortable and able to succeed in the assessment process, use the following strategies:
- Publish all requirements/details in the course syllabus, including a link to privacy and security information
- Use standard text for course syllabus and FAQs. Standard text is available from digital.learning@utoronto.ca
- Ensure early communication regarding use of the platform, verification and system testing prior to the actual exam
- Ensure accessibility of exam materials for students with disabilities