Assessment Tools

In addition to assessment design, we can also look to some technical solutions to help reduce academic dishonesty.

Canvas Quiz Options

When considering using tools to help increase the academic integrity, it's important to look at the purpose of those assessments.

Formative assessments are generally used to "take the temperature" of the class, allow students to reflect on their own learning, or provide an opportunity for students to practice with the material in a low-stakes environment. Some of the best solutions to reduce the desire to cheat for students on low-stakes assessments are to: 

• allow students to try multiple attempts
• allow open notes during quizzes
• clearly state your expectations for academic behavior on the specific assessment
• clearly state the importance of the learning goal for the student

Summative Assessments (high stakes) will likely always have a place in many instructors' assessment toolbox. If you are giving a quiz on Canvas consider the following tips on quiz settings from our friends at Sam Houston State Online Links to an external site. to help increase the academic integrity.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Time limit: When a test is timed correctly, students who attempt to cheat by looking up answers will not have enough time to complete the exam. You may wish to use these research-based recommendations when timing your exams: 

Type of questions being asked

a. True and false — 30 sec.
b. Multiple choice — one min.
c. Completion — one min.
d. Short answer — two min.
e. Multiple choice with higher level thinking — 90 sec.
f. Matching items — 30 sec.
g. Short essays — 10-15 min.
h. (Extended) essay — 30 min. 

• Randomization of Questions: This simple feature ensures that students do not encounter the same sequence of questions as a roommate, a classmate, or a friend who may be taking the exam at the same time.
• Randomization of Answer Options: Randomizing test answers works well with multiple choice and multiple answer questions, so that the right answer is not always in the same position.
• One Question at a Time: Statistically, releasing test questions one question at a time, versus all at once, deters students from printing the exam or taking a picture with their device.
• Question Types: It’s no secret that auto-graded test questions, such as multiple choice, true and false, matching, and multiple answer save time. Often, though, these types of questions do not elicit higher-level analysis from the learner. Though much more time-consuming, essay questions, for example, may provide opportunities for a more authentic assessment measure.

LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor

Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom web browser that locks down the testing environment within Canvas. When a student launches this browser, they aren't allowed to open other browser tabs or programs on that computer. Respondus Monitor is a companion application for LockDown Browser that uses webcam and video technology to record students while they take their Canvas Quiz. Upon launching the quiz, students are asked to show their face, student ID, and testing area. Respondus Monitor will continue to record the student during the test and you as the instructor have the option to review thumbnails, check for "red flags," or watch full recordings of the quiz.