Online Invigilation at College: Benefits and Downsides

The idea of online exam invigilation has been gaining popularity in recent years as more and more colleges and universities are beginning to offer the option of remote examinations to students. There are many benefits to online invigilation, such as the fact that it allows students to take their exams in a more relaxed environment.

However, there are also some downsides to online invigilation that should be considered before deciding whether or not this is the right option for your institution.

What are the benefits of online invigilation at college?

Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it allows students to take their exams from the comfort of their own homes, which can be a great perk for students who have difficulty getting to campus or who simply prefer to take their exams in a more relaxed setting.

Additionally, remote examinations with online invigilation can help to level the playing field for students with different learning styles. Some students may find that they learn better when they can work through the exam without the pressure of being in a room full of other students. Finally, online invigilation can also save colleges money on proctoring costs.

What are the downsides of online invigilation at college?

While online invigilation can offer several benefits to both colleges and students, there are also some potential downsides that should be considered. One of the main concerns is the potential for cheating in remote examinations.

While online invigilation help reduces the opportunity for cheating, remote exams are susceptible to many new cheating methods, such as using hidden cameras or other devices to record exam answers.

There is also the potential for technical problems, such as internet connection issues or problems with the invigilation software. These problems could lead to disruptions during the exam and could potentially impact a student’s performance. Online invigilation can also be more expensive than traditional invigilation methods due to the need for additional hardware and software.

How does online invigilation affect cheating and academic integrity?

The effect of online invigilation on cheating and academic integrity will vary depending on the specific context in which it is used. However, some potential impacts of online invigilation include the following:

• Increased transparency and accountability, as students will be aware that they are being watched and monitored during exams.
• Reduced opportunities for cheating, as online invigilation can make it more difficult for students to cheat without being caught.
• Greater fairness, as online invigilation can help to level the playing field by ensuring that all students have the same opportunity to succeed.

As you can see, online invigilation can have a tremendous potential to improve academic integrity positively. On the other hand, technical problems may disrupt the exam during online invigilation, which is a negative effect. But overall, online invigilation can significantly reduce cheating at online exams and improve students’ integrity in the long run.

Featured image: Daniel de la Hoz, iStock.