Options for Preventing Academic Dishonesty
- Use SafeAssign plagiarism tool on Blackboard Assignments: SafeAssign is a plagiarism prevention tool that allows you to check the originality of an assignment submission against our institutional repository of student work and internet-based sources. Students should be allowed to view their originality reports. You can have students turn in work on a rough draft by checking the “do not add to repository” option on Submission Details, where the SafeAssign option is located on the Edit Assignment Options page. Blackboard SafeAssign Help for Instructors SafeAssign information for students
- Respondus Lockdown Browser: Software the student downloads on their personal computers. It functions as its name intends: a browser that prevents students from opening any other browser on their screen, prevents multiple tabs, or prevents access to other software. The download information for students and information on use can be found by logging into Bb and click on Tech Support on the top tab. The Assessment module contains information for Respondus.
- Respondus LockDown Browser with Monitor:For use in conjunction with LockDown Browser, records students taking exams and requires microphone and webcam. The program will flag suspicious activity and allow the instructor to review the video to investigate the activity that caused the video to be flagged.*Both tools require students to have high-speed internet access and their own device. These tools are not meant for users who have low-bandwith, or are trying to accomplish academic tasks on a mobile device.
How to Add Respondus Monitor to an Assignment Any exam that requires Monitor must also require LockDown Browser.
- On the Repondus dashboard (in Course Tools), set the exam so it requires the use of LockDown Browser. Several options are then available for Respondus Monitor. To require Monitor, select “Require Respondus Monitor for this Exam.”
- Now you will select items to be included in the student’s “Startup Sequence.” These are the steps a student must complete prior to the start of an exam. The settings are optional and can also be re-ordered by dragging and dropping them into the desired order. You will also be able to preview each item, as well as Edit your test to include instructions for certain items (if applicable).
- Webcam check
- Student Photo (will take photo)
- Show ID
- Environment check (show your surroundings)
- Additional instructions you would like to add.
Note: All of these items that you choose must be first given to the students in the Instructions area of the exam or prior to the exam. Otherwise, students may not have their ID with them or be unable to show their surroundings due to the nature of the test location they have chosen. Tips to Keep Students from Cheating
- If you use test banks, chances are, your questions and answers are already searchable on the internet. If you are using a new text, with new test bank questions, consider using only a portion of those questions at a time, and change them each semester.
- If you are using the Test tool in Blackboard, consider letting us help you create test pools for each chapter. Test pools can be used to create a Test made up of random blocks. Random blocks allow you to choose how many questions and question types from each pool you want to use and how much their point value is worth.
- Utilize various Test options like randomizing all of the questions on the test, setting a timer (never use Force Completion), or break up your testing materials into shorter tests.
- Offer varied assessments. Students deserve more opportunities than just multiple choice tests to show that they are competent. (If you’d like pedagogical considerations, please contact the Center for Teaching and Learning.)