Zoom presence instead of Zoom monitoring
During the corona pandemic, different ways of using Zoom where developed for examination that needs to take place remotely. Visually monitoring students with Zoom is not allowed according to the scenario planning, but instead Zoom presence is recommended. The similarities and differences between remote monitoring with Zoom and Zoom presence are described here.
Zoom monitoring is limited at KTH
When the corona pandemic meant that written exams on campus needed to be quickly changed to be done remotely, remote monitoring with Zoom was developed. During an exam with remote monitoring with Zoom, students complete the exam in any undisturbed place at the same time as they are visually monitored via Zoom by an exam invigilator to reduce the risk of students using unauthorized aids or collaborations during the examination. The method is judged to work well enough to be used for acute replacement of campus-based written exams, but is according to the only permitted at a high level of influence and after an exemption procedure. KTH has chosen to strongly limit the use of Zoom monitoring as the effectiveness of the surveillance is limited and the requirements for the technology to work is an unnecessary stress factor for the students.
Zoom presence as an alternative to Zoom monitoring
A remote exam with Zoom presence combines the home exam with Zoom in such a way that exam wordings that fit in a campus exam can be used remotely in a larger group. The students are present in Zoom during the examination, which enables communication between students and the examiner as well as ID control. The Zoom meeting can be used for questions and for short progress meetings to reduce the risk of the student using unauthorized aids or collaborating during the examination. It is also less sensitive to, for example, bad internet connections, toilet breaks and uses resources more efficiently than Zoom monitoring.
Examination with Zoom presence
Comparison between Zoom presence and remote monitoring with Zoom
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Zoom presence |
Remote monitoring with Zoom |
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|---|---|---|
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Inspection method |
Checks the genuineness of the work by following the process of how it is produced. |
The student's experience of being visually monitored |
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Number of Zoom rooms and people |
More than 24 students in the same room, the maximum number of students in a room depends on the number of teachers and assistants who can manage to visit students in breakout rooms. A large course has a proportional amount of people working with the course. A meeting host administers Zoom. |
Maximum 24 students per room. Many people/exam invigilators are required without any educational gain. Resources are used less efficiently as all examinees often do not show up and rooms are not used to their full capacity. |
|
Breakout rooms |
Breakout rooms are used for checking IDs and for meetings between students and teachers during the exam. |
Breakout rooms are used for checking IDs before the exam. This can be difficult to do if students do not show up to the Zoom room well before the start of the exam |
|
Technical difficulties |
Any strange occurrence can be followed up with a breakout room meeting. |
The exam may be declared invalid. |
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Breaks |
Can be taken after contact with the meeting host, a long absence can be followed up with a breakout room meeting. |
Only scheduled breaks. |