Online learning is a convenient mode of study enabling students from all walks of life to access education at their comfort and pace. However, this flexibility also brings about concerns around academic integrity, especially during online assessments. A platform like Canvas provides several features that monitor student behavior to prevent cheating. In this post, we’ll delve into how Canvas detects cheating and ensures the credibility of online assessments.
Proctoring Tools
Canvas employs various software tools for proctoring online exams. These tools leverage advanced technology, such as machine learning and facial recognition, to monitor student behavior during tests and flag any suspicious activities.
Browsing Detection
Canvas can also track a student’s browsing activities during an exam. This mechanism is designed to prevent students from referring to external resources while taking a test. It’s important to note that instructors can enable or disable this feature based on their preferences.
IP Address Logging
Canvas logs the IP address of the device from which a student accesses an exam. This feature can help in identifying cases where multiple students are logging in from the same location.
Time Logs
Canvas maintains a time log for every student’s test submission. If a student begins an exam and finishes it in an incredibly short time, it may indicate that the answers were not obtained legitimately.
Multiple Device Access
If a student attempts to access an ongoing exam from multiple devices, Canvas will flag this as suspicious behavior. This is because it may indicate that someone else is helping the student with the exam.
Copy-Paste Logs
Canvas can detect if a student copies and pastes content into the exam from an external source. This feature helps to maintain the integrity of the exam and prevent plagiarism.
In conclusion, Canvas offers multiple features to detect potential cheating during online exams. It provides a secure platform for online learning and assessment, ensuring fairness and credibility in the process. Nonetheless, these mechanisms are not foolproof, and the ultimate responsibility lies with the students to maintain academic integrity.
Please note that Canvas only collects data necessary for the assessment process and respects the privacy of its users. It’s crucial for students to understand these features not as intrusive surveillance methods, but as tools designed to maintain a high standard of academic integrity in online learning.