dwilson23

June 14, 2010 at 7:14am

I have reviewed this technology extensively and it is far more advanced that the posters are aware.  The camera provides a 360 degree view of the room, so its very easy to see if someone is using 2 computers, there are people in the room etc.

The software that it works with locks down the computer completely.  You cant run it in a virtual machine, or have any virtualization software running while their software is running.  All keyboard shortcuts are also blocked - so alt-tab and the like dont work.

bloodgain

June 11, 2010 at 10:58pm

The authentication protocols are good (proof of identity), but University professors long ago solved the problem of "cheating" on tests.  It's called an open-book test.

Observe the brilliance:
1) Allowing all available sources means cheat sheets are just "notes."
2) In real life, you can use the book.  Why not in school, too?
3) Tests are still timed.  Looking up every answer means you probably won't finish.
4) The tests can be harder/more specific.  Recall memory tests limit you to testing general ideas, when in real life you'll have to know how to find the specifics.
5) You can't look up the application of a subject for every problem -- it has to be learned through study and practice.  Good teachers test for application, not simple recall.

OK, so maybe the audio/video will help prove that no one is standing behind them giving them the answers or taking the test after the authentication.  Maybe locking down the Internet stops them from getting help over IM and email -- and maybe Wolfram Alpha if it's a Calculus class.  But cheating by using references?  That just means the professor isn't very good at his job.

charcaroth

June 11, 2010 at 6:12pm

Why not just load the test into a virtual machine using Virtual Box, then have all your notes and searchable texts available on the standard desktop as you ALT-TAB your way to success?  I guess if it makes a professor feel better, let them watch the students through a webcam, but there's just no way any of them will spend three hours watching every student type on their computer. 

vistageek

June 11, 2010 at 1:12pm

ok, so there is that software that lets you control 2 computer with 1 keyboard and mouse. You could just use that to look up the answers and on the webcam , it would still look like you were just using one PC.

Synux

June 11, 2010 at 7:38am

All the lock-down in the world won't stop the student from using a second PC to look up the answers.