Some San Jose State students raised privacy concerns when professors mandated proctoring software, which are custom browsers that lockdown the testing environment and use a student’s webcam and microphone during tests.
Psychology junior Kristin Yerkes said over the SAMMY app that she has also had bad experiences with using LockDown Browser.
“It’s incredibly inconvenient to those of us with children,” Yerkes said. “I’ve got a six-year-old and a newborn and I can’t make either be quiet and not interrupt during the test.”
She said any sound from her children would mean she could potentially be flagged by the ProctorU and Proctorio browsers for cheating during the exam.
Respondus LockDown Browser is the primary proctoring software used by SJSU professors, according to the SJSU eCampus website. Professors who don’t use Respondus LockDown Browser can use other proctoring software like Proctorio or ProctorU.
In efforts to prevent cheating during online exams, LockDown Browser states that it prevents students from accessing other applications such as messaging or screen-sharing and other website tabs until the exam is submitted, according to the LockDown Browser website. Functions such as copy, paste, print, minimize screen and keyboard shortcuts are also disabled.
While these limitations can be instituted in ProctorU and Proctorio as well, the two proctoring softwares are the only browsers that require the use of webcams according to the eCampus website. The browsers monitor exams by recording the webcam feed and the screen during the exam and sharing that information with the professor.
Some SJSU students said they felt uncomfortable with Proctorio and ProctorU, saying the microphone and webcam requirement has impacted their ability to take exams.
Business administration junior Alexandra Sordello said over the SAMMY app that the browsers are an invasion of privacy, specifically in students’ homes.
Sordello said her professors told her to cover or remove any posters that might be considered offensive and to adjust her position in the room, so they monitor her through the camera.
One of her professors requires students to dress professionally to take exams with their cameras on, which she feels is stressful and unnecessary. She also said the proctoring software can be sensitive and inaccurate when flagging students’ audio for cheating.
“It’s very stressful because you have to make sure no noise happens or the program picks it up and flags that there might have been cheating,” Sordello said. “It’s very hard to do that when working from home if you live with people and someone closes a door or drops something.”
Sordello said she would normally read the exam questions quietly to herself in person, but now with remote learning, Proctorio or ProctorU would pick up the sound of her reading the questions aloud and flag the exam for cheating.
“That’s just how test-taking works for me and for me not being allowed to do that makes me be on a question a little longer than I need to be, especially when it’s timed,” Sordello said. “Then I have to try to rush through the last questions not really understanding it because I’m trying to answer everything on time.”
According to the SJSU eCampus website, professors can choose whether students have to take exams with their webcams turned on, but no audio or vice versa.
Jennifer Redd, senior director of SJSU’s eCampus, said in an email that all proctoring software SJSU uses underwent a thorough review to ensure the software adheres to university privacy practices, which are outlined on the eCampus website.
If students are concerned about what proctoring software will be required for a class, they can consult the course syllabus at the beginning of the semester.
“Additional information may also appear in their Canvas courses providing details about the software that will be used,” Redd said. “If a student does not feel comfortable using these tools, the information shared at the beginning of the class would provide plenty of time for a discussion with the faculty member regarding student’s questions and concerns.”
Redd said the benefit of using these browsers is that it allows for a secure testing environment and a similar testing experience for all students.
