Examining the External Markers' Experiences of Online Marking: Is There Alignment with the Reports Generated from the Invigilator App?

Abstract

This study explores the experiences and views of external markers on e-proctoring when the Invigilator app was used during online exams at a mega open and distance e-learning (ODeL) university in South Africa. It also sought to examine some of the cheating behaviours detected by the Invigilator App. Current research indicates that the few proctoring technologies that are available on the market remain largely untried and untested, thus the amount of research available on the external markers’ experiences with the Invigilator app is limited. The study seeks to fill that gap by exploring the external markers’ views on the app, and some of the student cheating detected by the Invigilator App. A qualitative approach was used involving seven (n=7) external markers who participated in semi-structured interviews. Additionally, some documents were also downloaded from the Invigilator App to track some of the cheating behaviours detected by the App. The principal findings indicate that from the side of the external markers, there was support for e-proctoring even though they had little or no exposure to the Invigilator App. The screenshots taken from the Invigilator App confirmed some incidents of cheating on the side of the students, although in other instances the similarity reports from the Invigilator App showed inaccuracies. Future research should focus on how to reinforce a Virtual Professional Learning community between lecturers and external markers so that the two groups work together on maintaining online examination integrity.

Presenters

Thembeka Shange
Associate Professor, Applied English Language Studies, UNISA, Gauteng, South Africa

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Technologies in Learning

KEYWORDS

E-proctoring, Invigilator app, OdeL. Professional learning communities