Making Online Exams More Secure

Online exams administered through Canvas offer many benefits. However, since instructors are not present to monitor students during the test, these exams may be viewed as less secure. This guide outlines several strategies instructors can implement to ensure academic integrity while also minimizing risk and difficulty for students.

Quiz Settings in Canvas

When creating a quiz in Canvas, you have access to a variety of options to make your quiz more secure. While Canvas offers more options than those listed here, the following are the most effective for this purpose. Please note that these settings cannot guarantee a fully secure exam. Rather, they make it more difficult for students to engage in dishonest behavior. Before applying any of these settings, consider the goals of your exam and the learning outcomes you are assessing to ensure your choices support student learning.

Shuffle Questions and Answers

Using question groups that pull from item banks, available in Classic and New Quizzes, you can randomize the order of questions or present different questions to each student. This reduces the likelihood of students sharing answers. In Classic Quizzes, you can create a group to randomize question order. Classic quizzes also have an option to shuffle the answer order in multiple choice questions. In New Quizzes, you can pull a random set from an item bank or toggle the setting for shuffling questions.

Require an Access Code

If you want students to take the exam at a specific time or location, you can require an access code to enter for the quiz. This code can be distributed in person or shared via email.

In Classic Quizzes, you can set this under "quiz restrictions".
In New Quizzes, you can add the password under settings.

One Question at a Time

Setting the quiz so that students can only view one question at a time helps prevent quick copying and pasting or viewing the entire exam at once. You may pair this setting with the option to lock questions after they are answered. However, be aware that this can be a major concern for students who prefer to review their responses or correct mistakes later. Be sure to inform students in advance that this setting is enabled and explain the rationale behind its use.

Limited Availability Window

If you want students to take the exam during a specific time, such as the regular class meeting, you can set up a limited availability window, allowing access only during that period. Be sure to adjust the window for students who require additional time for accommodations.

External Proctoring Tools

Illinois State University currently supports two external tools that promote exam security: Respondus LockDown Browser and ProctorTrack. As with Canvas settings, these tools cannot guarantee complete exam security.

It is important to note that external proctoring tools can pose barriers to student success. They may increase exam anxiety and the likelihood of technical issues during the exam.

Before implementing these tools, carefully evaluate your learning outcomes and exam goals to ensure using a proctoring tool aligns with your instructional objectives.

Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser is a secure browser used for taking assessments in Canvas. It prevents students from printing, navigating to other websites, or accessing other applications during an assessment. If LockDown Browser is required, students will not be able to take the assessment using a standard web browser.

ProctorTrack

ProctorTrack is an automated remote proctoring solution that continuously verifies the identity of online exam-takers while detecting and deterring academic misconduct. ProctorTrack is fully integrated with Canvas.

Zoom

Zoom can be used as a live proctoring method by having students join a synchronous session with their cameras on during the exam. This approach requires students to have access to a functioning camera and a stable internet connection. Instructors must monitor students throughout the session.

Zoom can also be used asynchronously for proctoring. In this method, students create a personal Zoom meeting and record themselves taking the exam. They begin the Zoom session, share their screen to display their desktop, and complete the assessment in Canvas. After finishing, they end the meeting and share the recording with the instructor. A recommended approach is for students to record to the cloud and then share the link. If needed, students can be asked to show a university ID and their workspace at the beginning of the recording. Instructors will need to manually review these recordings to check for any academic concerns.

General Limitations of Proctoring Tools

While Respondus Lockdown Browser and ProctorTrack are available and reliable, both tools have technical limitations that should be considered.

They are only accessible with Classic Quizzes

First, neither Respondus Lockdown Browser nor ProctorTrack is compatible with Canvas New Quizzes. New Quizzes was originally developed as a Learning Tool Integration (LTI) application, which allows two-way communication between different technologies. Although New Quizzes is no longer technically considered an LTI in Canvas, it still functions like one. Since both Respondus Lockdown Browser and ProctorTrack are also LTIs, using one LTI within another is not supported.

Respondus Lockdown Browser and ProctorTrack work well with Classic Quizzes. If you plan to use a proctoring application in Canvas, you will need to use Classic Quizzes. However, please note that Canvas is gradually moving from Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes. While no official end date has been announced, New Quizzes will eventually become the only quiz tool available.

Limitations of Respondus LockDown Browser

If you choose to use Respondus Lockdown Browser, please be aware of the following:

Students using Chromebooks must install the Respondus Lockdown Browser Chrome extension before taking a lockdown exam.
Students using iPads must download the iPad version of Respondus Lockdown Browser from the Apple App Store.
Instructors must configure the advanced settings in the Respondus Lockdown Browser Dashboard Tool when setting up the exam.
If you are using an external tool to administer the exam or generate questions (e.g., Pearson MyLab), ensure that Respondus LockDown Browser is compatible with that platform. In some cases, a specific version may be required.

Limitations of ProctorTrack

If you choose to use ProctorTrack, please note the following:

A request must be submitted to the ISU Help Center to have ProctorTrack added to your Canvas course site.
The initial setup process for both instructors and students takes time. It is recommended that you request ProctorTrack well in advance of the semester and complete setup at the beginning of the term.
ProctorTrack has specific device requirements. Detailed technical requirements can be found here: technical requirements for its use.

Alternative Methods for Assessment

Rather than relying solely on external tools or exam settings, consider revising your exam into a different, but equivalent, form of assessment. Consider if an exam will properly capture student learning, or if another form of assessment might better demonstrate student's knowledge of the material. For example, instead of 50 multiple-choice questions, pose a few essay questions that require critical thinking and understanding of the main concepts.

If you would like support in exploring alternative assessment methods or determining which settings and tools may be most beneficial for your course, our staff is available for individualized consultations.

Explore More Online Resources

Resources

Lee, K., & Fanguy, M. (2022). Online exam proctoring technologies: Educational innovation or deterioration? British Journal of Educational Technology, 53, 475–490. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13182

ProctorTrack

https://help.illinoisstate.edu/technology/support-topics/teaching-and-learning/proctortrack

Respondus

https://help.illinoisstate.edu/technology/support-topics/teaching-and-learning/respondus-lockdown-browser-for-students

https://support.canvas.fsu.edu/kb/article/987-how-to-increase-security-to-minimize-cheating-in-canvas-quizzes/

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-LMS-Blog/Quiz-Settings-to-Maximize-Security/ba-p/259456

https://teaching.pitt.edu/resources/managing-assessment-security-in-canvas/