Enhancing Academic Integrity: Implementing Online Exam Proctoring

University of Bridgeport

Introduction: The University of Bridgeport (UB) is a renowned institution offering a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and online programs in engineering, business, and health sciences. With the growing demand for online education, UB recognized the need for a robust solution to conduct exams and tests securely while upholding academic integrity. To address this challenge, UB partnered with Sodaru Technologies, a leading provider of online exam-taking software with advanced proctoring capabilities enabled by artificial intelligence (AI).

Challenge: As the demand for online courses surged, UB faced the challenge of ensuring fairness and integrity in remote assessments. Traditional methods of invigilation were not feasible for online exams, leading to concerns about academic dishonesty and cheating. Moreover, manual grading processes were time-consuming and prone to errors, necessitating an automated scoring system to streamline evaluation.

Solution: Sodaru Technologies collaborated with UB to implement an innovative online exam-taking software equipped with proctoring features and AI-driven scoring algorithms. The solution offered several key functionalities:

• 1. Proctoring Enabled: The online exam platform incorporated real-time proctoring capabilities, allowing administrators to monitor exam sessions remotely. Proctors used AI-powered tools to detect suspicious behaviors such as eye movements, background noise, and multiple face detections to ensure exam integrity.

• 2. Automated Scoring: Sodaru leveraged AI algorithms to automate the scoring process, enabling quick and accurate evaluation of student responses. The system analyzed answers for correctness, relevance, and plagiarism detection, providing instant feedback to students and instructors.

• 3. Customization Options: The software provided flexibility for instructors to customize exam settings according to their preferences, including time limits, question formats, and access controls. This ensured that exams could be tailored to specific courses and assessment objectives.

• 4. Seamless Integration: Sodaru's platform seamlessly integrated with UB's existing learning management system (LMS), enabling smooth administration and access for students and faculty members. The software was user-friendly and accessible across various devices, ensuring a seamless exam-taking experience for all stakeholders.

Results: The implementation of Sodaru's online exam-taking software yielded significant benefits for UB:

• 1. Enhanced Academic Integrity: The proctoring features and AI-driven monitoring helped deter cheating and ensure fairness during online exams, fostering a culture of academic integrity across the university.

• 2. Improved Efficiency: The automated scoring system reduced the time and effort required for grading, allowing instructors to focus on teaching and providing personalized feedback to students.

• 3. Greater Accessibility: The online platform made exams more accessible to students, particularly those with scheduling constraints or physical disabilities, by offering flexible exam-taking options and accommodations.

• 4. Positive Student Experience: Students appreciated the convenience and reliability of the online exam platform, which offered a seamless testing experience while maintaining the rigor and standards of traditional assessments.

Conclusion: By partnering with Sodaru Technologies and implementing an advanced online exam-taking solution, the University of Bridgeport successfully addressed the challenges of conducting exams in the digital age. The integration of proctoring features and AI-driven scoring not only ensured academic integrity but also improved efficiency and accessibility for students and faculty. Moving forward, UB remains committed to leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences in an increasingly online educational landscape.