Does anyone know why Andrew Jackson University doesn't allow a person to do a proctored test through a person and why they only will allow it through a webcam? All other schools allow you to arrange a proctor. I want to be able to take my proctored tests at a library. The idea of having to be in front of a camera doesn't exactly make me feel comfortable.
Feel uncomfortable? Well, use the green background and implement your recorded video and broadcast it.
I personally wish that more universities would allow the webcam exam proctoring. It would save me a lot of hastle. Just turn on the tiny cam, do the test in the comfort of your own home, then turn it off and you're done.
you can go to youtube and search for the AJU videos- they have one you can watch on how the AJU proctoring process works. They have you log in with your proctor- you'll have to show your picture id, and answer some specific questions that only you would know. (the name of the bank that holds the note on your car, your mother's maiden name, city your father was born in, etc) You pan the room with the camera per instructions, there can be no books/notes/people/etc. The proctor is live with you the whole time in split screen and audio. So, if you are looking in some way that seems suspect, or start talking to someone in the room, they can ask you to pause and point the web cam at the area. I like it, I think the use of a library proctor (which I have done dozens of times) really does allow too many cheating options. If you can cheat with the web cam, I haven't thought of how. The other consideration, some libraries charge a proctor fee, where the use of a webcam is free.
The camera doesn't see what's behind the camera. I think I'd prefer a more formal setting as provided by a proctor. I like the general idea though. Do I have to be dressed to take a test? It's my home after all...
>> Actually, if you watch the clip, you do have to show what's behind the camera. At first, and then on demand through the test. Clothing....lol....uh, that's a good question!
I have taken to the proctored exams on webcam at AJU. It's really not a big deal, and yes, you do have to move the camera around and show the proctor what is in the room with you. You aren't allowed to have books or notes with you when you take the exam. It is closed-book. Once you start taking the exam you don't even think about the cam, and the proctor doesn't speak to you after you begin taking the test. I'm not sure about "clothing optional" exams, but I did take an exam in my pajamas.
Don't you trust yourself to act ethically and not be tempted to cheat? At university I always preferred the few courses with comprehensive take-home final examinations over those courses in which the final examination was taken in a large room filled with a lot of people and being distracted by the noise. Most of the courses I have completed online have not had final examinations and those that did only a few required a proctor; the local librarian was always willing to act as a proctor - I just showed up with pencils, pens and an eraser at the agreed upon time, the librarian handed me the examination paper and some blank worksheets in case they were needs for scratch work, and at the end I handed everything back. Even with non-proctored examinations I was not tempted to cheat.
I just think it's rediculous that you have to do a proctored test via webcam. I think that students should be given the option of whether they want to take the proctored exam through webcam or through an individual that could be deemed acceptable to the school. The thing that makes it uncomfortable is the idea of being recorded on a camera. Not all size fits all people and not everyone feels comfortable with the webcam.
>> I respect your opinion. I hadn't really considered that anyone would be opposed to the idea. I don't know if you are recorded though, I am under the impression it's a live feed since they talk to you. My library experience was anything but formal, one time there was a 5th grade being tutored that I wanted to throw out the flippin window....but that's for another day lol. My house is quiet and and don't have to schedule around someone else's business hours. My only issue is that my USB ports don't work, so I'll have to use my husband's computer- which I hate the keyboard- but that's SO MUCH BETTER than pencil and paper to me!!
I would think that to substantiate challenges by either the proctor or the student in the the event of any issues that the session would have to be recorded and archived for some period of time. Otherwise it could easily be a situtation of "did too! did not!" in the event of any claim of cheating, etc... I know that West Alabama (Troy, et al...) use a remote proctor system and the manufacturer of the device states that the information is saved as a digital algorithm and not accessible using non proprietary methods. I haven't looked at AJU's system but if it is just a webcam with audio then it would be interesting to ascertain if the footage is archived or ???
Well when it comes to Andrew Jackson University there is only one way for the proctored tests and they have to be completed through webcam. So there's no other way. I think with that option it definately hinders me from wanting to take courses with them.
>> I get that, I'm not trying to sell you on them. For me, the proctor issue wasn't really an issue...they'd have to cause me a lot of grief before I'd walk away from a $2500 accredited MBA lol. However, after the 31st, they'll be just one of the other players in a deep sea of colleges. In that arena, I'm sure there will be plenty of people who won't enroll because of the web proctor- and at $300 per credit, there really won't be any incentive to bite the bullet.
I’m in agreement. After 31 Dec. they’ll be just another DETC institution competing for student tuition. I believe this will be a difficult transition for AJU … going from a huge promotional incentive (tuition sponsors) to none at all.
I think that it is too bad that the school is doing away with the sponsored tuition. However, this was a serious disadvantage for other DETC schools. Now it will demonstrate whether this school is really what it is cut out to be. People can go to a regionally accredited institution for less than $300 a credit hour. Plus, with the requirement of webcam proctored exams this will clearly be a disadvantage for them.
Hey Guys- I haven't posted in a while, but I thought I would chime in here... As far as Sponsored Tuition goes, yes, it is going away sadly. I mentioned this on another board, and I thought I should probably mention it here too (I don't want to play favorites). There is a new program coming out at AJU that is not being advertised yet. I'm not exactly sure what is involved, but I know it's called "Kickstart Your Career" and only students that are calling are finding out about it. It should be sent to me to be prepared to go on the website soon, and at that point, I may know more about it. Call our Admissions Line and ask about it - 800-429-9300. Also, in regards to webcam proctoring, the service is called ProctorU. I understand what some of you are saying and I can honestly tell you that the overwhelming majority of students love it. It is a benefit to both the students and the school. Students love it because they can get technical help in the middle of an exam and can take it from home. The school loves it because it tightens the quality control on the delivery of the exam. This system isn't unique to AJU anymore. It's already in use at several other institutions and expanding rapidly (www.ProctorU.com - click on institutions). If any of you are concerned about this, please watch the demo video at the ProctorU website and call me, Jarrod, at 205-503-5350 or email me at jmorgan @aju.edu. I'd love to talk to you about it. Also, ProctorU doesn't record the video unless a schools requests it, and AJU has no interest in that.
