Free proctoring browser extension
Honorlock, an automated proctoring program for digital education and reference, is already being used by certain teachers. Honorlock assists teachers in developing a responsible, fair online testing environment in which students may demonstrate their own autonomous learning.
Nonetheless, teachers are responsible for assessing students taking a quiz or exam, defining boundaries for the test-taking environment, and identifying academic misconduct, just as they would in a traditional classroom. Only teachers can look at the data collected during an exam or assessment.
How does Honorlock detect cheating?
The solution that Honorlock is supposed to provide is quite simple: prevent students from cheating on virtual exams. While in theory there aren’t any problems with this, there have been consistent problems with the Chrome extension. It adds extra hurdles and stress before and during testing, rather than leveling the playing field by eliminating cheating.
Before each test, students must scan their faces, IDs, and desk space — except sometimes — it doesn’t work. When it doesn’t work, the test cannot be accessed. And if you’re lucky enough to get into your test, Honorlock sometimes pauses when students so much as look down while writing on scratch paper. People will also be kicked off the test if they return to more than one question to review their answers.
Honorlock not only has several technological flaws, but it is also a violation of privacy. While activated, the extension has access to a student’s school ID information, camera, microphone, browser history, and screen. Honorlock can then examine and keep information for an unspecified period of time. Students should not be required to reveal personal information and data as part of the exam process.
Use with caution
Honorlock, like many computer systems, is riddled with bugs and other flaws, leaving it vulnerable to hacking and, as a result, exposing student information. Furthermore, it makes use of third-party apps such as Inspectlet, which is used to record network activities.
