BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHEATING: UNIVERSITY OF GHANA ADOPTS LOCKDOWN FOR ONLINE EXAMS TO ENSURE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Story by: Samuel K. Owusu

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes to the world of education, and higher education institutions have been forced to adopt online learning and testing methods. 

Thus, it is vital for the University of Ghana students to acquaint themselves and abreast themselves well with technology. This is because online teaching and learning in higher education have become increasingly common and there is no doubt online education is here to stay. As such one cannot afford to be left behind. While online teaching and learning have become increasingly popular, cheating has remained a significant concern for educators

However, the University of Ghana has taken a significant step towards addressing this issue by adopting LockDown (Proctor Software) for online exams. This initiative is commendable, as it will help to ensure the integrity of online exams and tests, making them more reliable and trustworthy

Sociology Department for instance has been using this similar software during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. During my undergraduate studies as a sociology student at the University of Ghana, my abled, SOCI 325 - Research Methods lecturers, Dr Rabiu Kwaku Boakye Asante and Dr Esther Sylvia Gyan, constantly used Autoproctor for our tests and quizzes every morning before online lectures commences. Inasmuch as it was strange to us, it prepared us fully and adequately before the start of the class and I in particular am much grateful to them


Animation: Reactions from uncomfortable students for using proctor 


This article will examine the benefits of online teaching and learning, the challenges that come with it, and how LockDown (Proctor Software) can help to address these challenges. It will also look at the impact of this initiative on the University of Ghana's academic performance and the future of online education.


LOCKS DOWN STUDENT COMPUTERS TO PREVENT CHEATING DURING EXAMS

LockDown Browser’s name says it all: it "locks down" the browser on a computer or tablet. Students are unable to copy, print, access other applications, or visit other websites during an online exam. LockDown Browser also blocks hundreds of common and advanced methods of digital cheating, such as the use of Virtual Machines, remote desktops, screen sharing, instant messaging, screen recording, keystroke combinations, launching applications with timers/alerts, browser cache exploits and much more.

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within a learning management system. It is used by over 2000 higher educational institutions and is widely regarded as the “gold standard” for securing online exams in classrooms or proctored environments. With this initiative, the University of Ghana has taken a significant step towards improving the quality of online education and ensuring that its graduates are well-prepared for the job market.


INTEGRATES SEAMLESSLY WITH LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

LockDown Browser integrates seamlessly with Blackboard, Brightspace, Canvas, Moodle, Sakai and Schoology. Over 2,000 institutions use LockDown Browser with their LMS, making it one of the leading third-party tools for learning systems.


HOW LOCKDOWN BROWSER WORKS

  • Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized 
  • Browser menu and toolbar options are removed, except for Back, Forward, Refresh and Stop 
  • Prevents access to other applications including messaging, screen-sharing, virtual machines, and remote desktops 
  • Printing and screen capture functions are disabled 
  • Copying and pasting anything to or from an assessment is prevented 
  • Right-click menu options, function keys, keyboard shortcuts and task switching are disabled 
  • An assessment cannot be exited until the student submits it for grading 
  • Assessments that are set up for use with LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with other browsers 


ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES

The use of online platforms for teaching and learning has several advantages, including flexibility, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. With online education, students can learn at their own pace and on their own schedules, which is particularly beneficial for working professionals or those with family responsibilities. Online learning is also more accessible to students who live in remote areas or who have physical disabilities.

However, online teaching and learning also present significant challenges. One of the most significant concerns for educators is cheating. With online exams, it is much easier for students to cheat by using external resources or collaborating with others. This can undermine the integrity of the testing process and make it difficult to accurately assess students' knowledge and skills.


LOCKDOWN (PROCTOR SOFTWARE) AND THE FUTURE OF ONLINE EDUCATION

LockDown (Proctor Software) is a powerful tool that can help to address the challenge of cheating in online exams. The software locks down the testing environment, preventing students from accessing external resources or using other applications while taking an exam. It also uses webcam technology to monitor students' activities during the exam, ensuring that they are not collaborating with others or engaging in other forms of academic dishonesty.

The adoption of LockDown (Proctor Software) by the University of Ghana is a significant step towards ensuring the integrity of online exams and tests. This initiative will help to improve the quality of education provided by the university and make its graduates more competitive in the job market. It will also ensure that online education continues to be a viable option for students, even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.

The impact of this initiative on the University of Ghana's academic performance will be closely monitored. It is expected that the adoption of LockDown (Proctor Software) will result in higher academic standards, as students will be more likely to take their online exams seriously and prepare adequately. It may also lead to a reduction in academic dishonesty and cheating, which will make it easier for educators to accurately assess students' knowledge and skills.


LOCKDOWN BROWSER OVERVIEW VIDEO

Watch a brief introductory video that explains how LockDown Browser works from the student's perspective: https://youtu.be/XuX8WoeAycs


CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the adoption of LockDown (Proctor Software) by the University of Ghana is a commendable initiative that will help to ensure the integrity of online exams and tests. Online education is here to stay, and it is crucial that higher education institutions take steps to address the challenges that come with it. LockDown (Proctor Software) is a powerful tool that can help to ensure that online exams are reliable, trustworthy, and accurately assess students' knowledge and skills. It is hoped that other higher education institutions will follow the example set by the University of Ghana





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Published by: SAMUEL KWAME OWUSU (SKO)

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