Photos by Chris Swann
Tyler Junior College has made changes to its testing center procedures and services to accommodate the school’s influx of online and hybrid classes. TJC has also made online proctoring services available for professors wishing to monitor academic integrity during online exams.
The testing center is allowing students who are unable to take online exams from home to schedule an in-person testing appointment. To reduce the number of students in the testing center at one time, students must email [email protected] to schedule an online exam. Students should include their name and A number, exam window, passcode (if necessary), and whether or not the exam is set to be proctored online through Honorlock.
According to the company’s website, Honorlock is a software system designed to provide “on demand online proctoring services for schools and universities with no scheduling, headaches or bulky software downloads.” TJC made this software available for professors to implement within their online and hybrid courses. History professor Dr. Kahne Parsons shared her thoughts on implementing Honorlock proctoring in her classes.
“I liked the program very much because it gave me more control over setting my own exam parameters and aided tremendously — I believe — in eliminating much of the cheating associated with internet testing,” Parsons said.
Both students and professors alike have expressed concerns surrounding Honorlock’s methods of proctoring via live webcam recording. A camera recording you and the room surrounding you the entire time doesn’t help with the preexisting nerves of taking an exam,” said TJC freshman Ally Wilcox. “I feel that TJC should search for a different option for testing, whether it be spacing out test days or finding a different program that feels slightly less invasive.”
Such a video recording of a student’s exam, although monitored by both artificial intelligence and live proctors, requires professors to watch the recording to examine any possible “red flags” after the exam is taken.
“This increases the potential workload of professors by placing the onus of visual examination for an entire class upon that professor,” Parsons said. “Having said that, I believe the bonuses of Honorlock outweigh the loss of the one feature.”
Honorlock requires Google chrome, a working webcam, microphone and stable internet connection in order to operate. This poses a challenge for students who do not have access to these requirements. However, such students qualify to request an online exam appointment in the TJC testing center.
According to Chris Fontaine, executive director of academic advising and testing services, “In the event a student needs to use the testing center after being recommended by their professor, there is a way to override Honorlock since a live proctor will be monitoring the student taking the exam.”
The testing center operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. The testing center is closed on weekends except for special registration events.
For more information on TJC’s testing services, visit tjc.edu/info/20031/testing_services
Ashly Cortes • Oct 5, 2020 at 8:21 pm
I believe the extension of Honorlock adds an extra set of pressure on a student while taking an exam. Taking an exam, alone, already has some students’ hearts racing due to the fact that they sometimes have no knowledge as to what to expect. With Honorlock, students have to be extremely cautious of their movements and words in order to be accused of cheating or having lack of academic integrity. By simply reading the question out loud our noticing a bug on the wall, teachers and professors might automatically fail the student for the inconvenience.
Ashly Cortes • Oct 5, 2020 at 8:14 pm
I believe the extension of Honorlock has allowed students to feel another level of pressure when taxing an exam. Taking an exam, alone, has some students’ hearts racing due to the fact of sometimes not knowing what to expect. With the addition of Honorlock, students have to be extra cautious of their movements and words to avoid being accused of cheating or having lack of academic integrity. By reading the question out loud or simply noticing a bug on the wall, teachers and professors might automatically fail a student.
Blaine Parnell • Oct 4, 2020 at 8:54 pm
I believe the honorlock system works just fine, and is quite clear in stating when it is using your cam and when it is not, whether or not you believe them is up to you. But I personally feel as if it is perfectly fine and allows me to do my testing from home with no issues.
Anthony Chavez • Sep 28, 2020 at 6:28 pm
I believe the Honorlock system used for online testing is indeed a little to invasive; to feel as if someone might be sneakily watching you without your knowledge and seeing your whole face makes me feel some type of way.
DJ • Sep 28, 2020 at 5:34 pm
I believe the system they have in place for test is safe and stable. You are able to test and be social distancing.