Online Proctoring Instructions for Blackboard and Moodle Courses

Q: What's online proctoring?

A: Proctoring is an important marker for online academic integrity and credibility. Just as technology makes it possible for you to learn from the comfort of your home, it also allows you take your exams there too. This means you don’t have to go to a classroom so that someone can monitor your test-taking. You can take your exams at home or anywhere you have access to a webcam with a microphone and a reliable, high-speed internet connection.

Q: Is proctoring required for my final exam?

A: StraighterLine requires proctoring on final exams for all courses purchased on or after November 1, 2012.

Q: What if my course does not have a final exam?

A: Several of the composition courses, such as English Composition I do not have a final exam. Therefore, there is not a final exam to be proctored. The written work for those courses, however, is submitted to plagiarism detection software and other protocols to ensure academic integrity.

Q: What are the technical requirements to run the proctoring session?

A: Technical requirements can be found here: http://www.proctoru.com/tech.php

Q: How do I purchase a proctoring session?

A: New course purchases: Online proctoring will be automatically included for any course purchased on and after December 12th, 2012.

Existing Blackboard courses:

• Login to your StraighterLine MyLine account as a returning student: https://www.straighterline.com/customer/account/
• Under your MyLine Blackboard courses on the course listing page, click on “Buy Proctoring” link.
• Go through the checkout process to submit the $10 payment to add that session

Q: How do I schedule a proctoring session?

A: In most cases you will need to schedule your session at least 72 hours in advance. Below are steps for scheduling a proctored exam:

1. Login to your StraighterLine account as a returning student: https://www.straighterline.com/customer/account/
2. Under “Courses”, choose the course for which you want to schedule a proctored session.
3. Click on 'Schedule Proctoring' and you will be automatically re-directed to the Online Proctoring Center.
4. Click on “Schedule Now”.
5. Select an exam date and starting time.
6. Click on “Add Reservation”. You will receive a confirmation email immediately after you schedule a proctoring session.

Q: What do I need to do prior to my proctoring appointment?

A: Prior to your proctoring appointment, you must:

Test your webcam and computer. Make sure your webcam, microphone, and speakers are installed and working correctly. If this is your first time taking an online proctored exam via ProctorU, please visit www.proctoru.com/testitout to check your equipment. Be sure to close out any other webcam software before you visit the page.

Find a well-lit, quiet and private^ room to take the exam. The lighting of your room must be daylight quality and overhead lighting is preferred.

^It is possible, but not recommended, to take your exam in a public place or computer lab. If you plan on testing where other people may be please notify your student advisor

Prepare your exam day materials.

Please prepare two forms of IDs, one of which must be government-issued photo ID as proof of identification.

If your webcam is built into your laptop or desktop, you will need to bring a reflective surface such as a Smartphone, DVD/CD, or hand mirror. This is needed so your proctor can verify that the monitor surface is clear of any materials.

For course final exams, the following reference materials may be permitted during a graded examination (please check your course's Final Examination Details for more specific information):

• The book(s) or other assigned reading materials listed in the course syllabus
• 1 sheet of 8 ½ X 11 paper (front and back) of self-prepared notes
• Blank scratch paper
• A pen or pencil
• A calculator (for math and science courses requiring calculations only, please note what type of calculator [graphing vs. scientific] is permitted for your specific exam))
  • Scientific calculator is allowed for the following course: ACC 101 – Accounting I, ACC102- Accounting II, ACC150 - Managerial Accounting, FIN101- Personal Finance, MAT099 - Introductory Algebra, MAT101- College Algebra, MAT150 - Business Statistics, MAT201– Precalculus
  • Graphing calculator is allowed for the following courses: MAT250 - General Calculus I, MAT251 - General Calculus II, PHY250 - General Physics I (with/without Lab)
• Microsoft Excel (for Business Statistics course only)

Additionally, you should be sure that you are compliant with all policies outlined in the Student Handbook and Academic Honesty Policy prior to your exam.

You can call 925-273-7588 (ProctorU) or (877) 787-8375 (StraighterLine Student Advisors) if you have questions about online proctoring or need any assistance.

Q: What should I expect on exam day?

A: At the time of your appointment, Login to your StraighterLine account as a returning student: https://www.straighterline.com/customer/account/

In the “Courses” block, click on the “Start Proctoring” link corresponding to the course you are taking your final exam for.

After clicking on the link, you will be automatically re-directed to the Online Proctoring Center, where you will initiate your proctoring session.

If you are a little early, you will see a countdown to the exact time of your appointment. After the countdown expires you will see a button that says, 'You have an exam. Click to start!'

After clicking the button you will be taken to the proctoring room, where, with the help of a proctor, you will go through the following steps:

1. A proctor will connect with you via webcam. You are then connected to a video chat with a live proctor. This proctor will help you through the exam process and is available during the exam if technical difficulties arise.
2. You will connect your screen to the proctor. This allows the proctor to see your computer screen and enables them to assist with step three and begin their exam.
3. Finally, the proctor will need to know that the student is in fact the right student. The proctor will ask to see a photo ID, take a photo of you for your session record, and ask you to answer a few questions about yourself that are generated from public information.

Once you have successfully completed the above the process, you are ready to begin your final exam. You will be asked to navigate to your final exam page on Blackboard, and enter the password you’ve retrieved to start the exam.

There is an optional 5-minute break. If you need help for any reason, simply notify the proctor via the chat box. The proctor will see you in real time and continue to monitor your mouse movement and screen during the exam process.

After you finish the exam, please notify your proctor via the chat box to end the proctoring session.

During all graded exams and quizzes:

• Graded exams are required. You must complete all graded exams in order to receive a final grade for a course.
• You have a limited amount of time to complete exams. Assessments are timed. The timer will start as soon as you click to open the exam. You must complete this assessment in one sitting. Once time has expired, the assessment will submit itself automatically.
• You will see only one question at a time.
• Unauthorized materials or aids are not permitted during exams.

After completing an examination:

• Retakes are not allowed for completed examinations. We understand that technical issues do occur; if you encounter any, you should close your exam and notify a Student Advisor immediately of the issue.
• You can review your exam attempt immediately after you submit your examination.  Review thereafter is not permitted.  
• If you have any questions regarding your exam after completing, it please contact your student advisor [email protected]

Q: What's online proctoring?

A: Proctoring is an important marker for online academic integrity and credibility. Just as technology makes it possible for you to learn from the comfort of your home, it also allows you take your exams there too. This means you don’t have to go to a classroom so that someone can monitor your test-taking. You can take your exams at home or anywhere you have access to a webcam with a microphone and a reliable, high-speed internet connection.

Q: Is proctoring required for my final exam?

A: StraighterLine requires proctoring on final exams for all courses purchased on or after November 1, 2012.

Q: What if my course does not have a final exam?

A: Several of the composition courses, such as English Composition I do not have a final exam. Therefore, there is not a final exam to be proctored. The written work for those courses, however, is submitted to plagiarism detection software and other protocols to ensure academic integrity.

Q: How do I purchase a proctoring session?

A: Online proctoring will be automatically included for any course purchased on and after November 1, 2012.

Q: How do I schedule my proctoring session?

A: In most cases you will need to schedule your session at least 72 hours in advance. Below are steps for scheduling a proctored exam:

1. Login to your StraighterLine account as a returning student: https://www.straighterline.com/customer/account/
2. Under “Courses”, choose the course for which you want to schedule a proctored session.
3. Click on 'Schedule Proctoring' and you will be automatically re-directed to the Online Proctoring Center to schedule.
4. Click on “Schedule Now”.
5. Select an exam date and starting time.
6. Click on “Add Reservation”. You will receive a confirmation email immediately after you schedule a proctoring session.

Q: What do I need to bring to my proctoring session?

A: You will need two forms of IDs, one of which must be government-issued photo ID as proof of identification. Valid forms of government identification are:

• U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
• Driver's license or ID card issued by a State provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address
• ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies or entities, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address
• U.S. Military card
• Foreign passport

Q: What are the technical requirements to run the proctoring session?

A: Technical requirements can be found here: http://www.proctoru.com/tech.php

Q: What do I need to do prior to my proctoring appointment?

A: Prior to your proctoring appointment, you must:

Test your webcam and computer. Make sure your webcam, microphone, and speakers are installed and working correctly. If this is your first time taking an online proctored exam via ProctorU, please visit www.proctoru.com/testitout to check your equipment. Be sure to close out any other webcam software before you visit the page.

Find a well-lit, quiet and private^ room to take the exam. The lighting of your room must be daylight quality and overhead lighting is preferred.

^It is possible, but not recommended, to take your exam in a public place or computer lab. If you plan on testing where other people may be present please notify your student advisor prior to your exam's scheduled proctoring session.

Prepare your exam day materials. You will need a government-issued photo ID as proof of identification. If your webcam is built into your laptop or desktop, you will need to bring a reflective surface such as a Smartphone, DVD/CD, or hand mirror. This is needed so your proctor can verify that the monitor surface is clear of any materials.

To view permitted materials for your course final examination, visit the exam proctoring details page.

Additionally, you should be sure that you are compliant with all policies outlined in the Student Handbook and Academic Honesty Policy prior to your exam.

You can call 925-273-7588 (ProctorU) or (877) 787-8375 (StraighterLine Student Advisors) if you have questions about online proctoring or need any assistance.

Q: What should I expect on exam day?

A: At the time of your appointment, Login to your StraighterLine account as a returning student: https://www.straighterline.com/customer/account/

Under the “Courses” tab, click on the “Start Proctoring” link corresponding to the course you are taking your final exam for.

After clicking on the link, you will be automatically re-directed to the Online Proctoring Center, where you will initiate your proctoring session.

If you are a little early, you will see a countdown to the exact time of your appointment. After the countdown expires you will see a button that says, 'You have an exam. Click to start!'

After clicking the button you will be taken to the proctoring room, where, with the help of a proctor, you will go through the following steps:

1. A proctor will connect with you via webcam. You are then connected to a video chat with a live proctor. This proctor will help you through the exam process and is available during the exam if technical difficulties arise.
2. You will connect your screen to the proctor. This allows the proctor to see your computer screen and enables them to assist with step three and begin their exam.
3. Finally, the proctor will need to know that the student is in fact the right student. The proctor will ask to see a photo ID, take a photo of you for your session record, and ask you to answer a few questions about yourself that are generated from public information.

Once you have successfully completed the above the process, you are ready to begin your proctored exam. You will be asked to click on the “Start Exam” link on your MyLine dashboard, and navigate to your course final exam page, and the proctor will enter the password to start the final exam.

If you need help for any reason, simply notify the proctor via the chat box. The proctor will see you in real time and continue to monitor your mouse movement and screen during the exam process.

After you finish the exam, please notify your proctor via the chat box to end the proctoring session.

During all graded exams and quizzes:

• Graded exams are required. You must complete all graded exams in order to receive a final grade for a course.
• You have a limited amount of time to complete exams. Assessments are timed. The timer will start as soon as you click to open the exam. You must complete this assessment in one sitting. Once time has expired, the assessment will submit itself automatically.
• You will see only one question at a time.
• Unauthorized materials or aids are not permitted during exams.

After completing an examination:

• Retakes are not allowed for completed examinations. We understand that technical issues do occur; if you encounter any, you should close your exam and notify a Student Advisor immediately of the issue.
• If you have any questions regarding your exam after completing, it please contact your student advisor [email protected]