How to do online testing through Moodle

Below are some tips from faculty on how to reduce academic dishonesty in an online classroom. See Video at the bottom of the page for visual steps. 

  • Have students sign course-level contracts to acknowledge academic integrity policies and procedures (Example listed below)
  • Include a short honor code statement before each quiz or assignment. You can begin each exam/assignment with a non-graded “pre-question” about the Nicholls Honor Code. 
  • Clearly state the level and type of collaboration allowed in courses
  • Provide various assessment instruments for students including discussion forums, group projects, case studies, project-based assignments, open-book exams, and class participation
  • Set a low point value for multiple choice exams – this will reduce pressure to cheat since exams do not represent a large percentage of their grade
  • Give each student a different version of the test (generated through Moodle) – at least two versions of comparable difficulty per question, scrambled question order, and scrambled choices for multiple-choice questions.  Numeric answers can be easily created.
  • Have all students take the test at the same time online
  • Use questions not drawn from a source where online answers/solutions can be looked up; slightly modified questions from question banks
  • Select the smallest time frame possible for the students to complete an  exam —an example often used is 45 seconds per question for multiple choice
  • Enable a small “log-in period” to the exam – this limits a student who has completed the exam from telling other students what was covered
  • Display “one question per page” to reduce multiple copying in exams and quizzes
  • Shuffle test questions, question answers, and select random questions   
  • Do not allow multiple attempts on exams
  • Under Review options, only check off “Attempts” so students can’t view and copy correct answers after the quiz is closed
  • Use TurnItIn plagiarism activity for all student papers
  • When the test is finished, click on the results to see how long students took the exam and at what times. This may show a pattern of cheating
  • Consider doing the exam through video conferencing, so you can observe the students taking the quiz
  • Use ProctorU for exams that you want to be proctored remotely (see instructions in the Google folder)
  • Look over the Online Testing folder online, go over the resources, and watch the videos
  • Report any academic dishonesty through proper channels to deter repeat offenders

Online Honor Code

(Having students agree to this does not prevent cheating. But it does let students know what your expectations are for the class and it does place some moral and ethical responsibility on the individual students. Feel free to edit to fit your needs.)

By taking this online course I agree that I will:

  • Complete all assignments, exams, and other assessment activities with my own work and only my own work (unless otherwise permitted by the instructor). I will not submit the work of any other person.
  • Maintain only one user account and not allow anyone else to use my username and/or password.
  • Not engage in any activity that would dishonestly improve my results, or improve or hurt the results of others.
  • Not post answers to problems, assignments, or exams that are being used to assess student performance.
  • Follow all codes of student conduct as specified in the published Code of Student Conduct

Here is an 11-minute video that shows the steps:

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