As e-learning platforms continue to develop, Canvas has become a top choice for numerous educational institutions around the globe. It provides a range of features designed to facilitate a smooth learning journey for teachers and students alike. Nevertheless, it also incorporates strict anti-cheating measures for online exams, which may occasionally result in inaccurate alerts. This article intends to assist you in reducing the likelihood of encountering these false alarms.
The Anti-Cheating Measures of Canvas
Before looking at how to prevent any false alerts, let’s first understand the anti-cheating measures applied by Canvas. To maintain integrity during online examinations, Canvas uses a combination of browser lockdown applications and proctoring tools. These include:
- Canvas Quiz Log: This is a feature that allows instructors to see a student’s interactions with the quiz and their submissions.
- Proctoring tools: These are third-party tools integrated with Canvas to monitor students’ exams. They capture audio, video, and screen activities during examinations.
- Canvas’s LockDown Browser: This software prevents students from accessing other websites, applications, or documents during an online exam.
Preventing False Alerts
In some cases, students may encounter false positives when engaging in non-cheating activities during an examination. Below, we provide tips on how to prevent such situations.
1. Stable Internet Connection
Ensure you have a stable internet connection during the exam. Connection issues can cause the system to flag you as it may interpret the connection loss as an attempt to exit the exam. It’s advisable to use a wired connection where possible and avoid public Wi-Fi networks.
2. Limit Browser Activity
During the exam, limit your browser activity to only the Canvas portal. Canvas records the active browser tabs; switching between tabs can be misinterpreted as cheating.
3. Understand the System
It is crucial to understand how the system works to avoid any inadvertent triggering of the anti-cheating measures. If possible, take a few trial quizzes to familiarize yourself with the system’s functionalities.
4. Avoid Suspicious Movements
Try to limit unnecessary movements while taking the exam. Abrupt movements can trigger proctoring tools, interpreting them as attempts to look at unauthorized materials or devices.
5. Use a Clean Workstation
Before starting the exam, ensure your workstation is free from any materials that could be misconstrued as cheating aids. The proctoring tools can flag the presence of unauthorized materials in your workspace.
In summary, understanding how Canvas’s anti-cheating measures work and taking the necessary precautions can significantly reduce the likelihood of being flagged incorrectly. It’s important to note that the intention of this article is not to help students cheat, but to help honest students avoid false positives due to system misunderstanding. Academic integrity should always be upheld.
Remember, cheating not only tarnishes your academic reputation, but it also undermines the learning process. Always strive to maintain integrity in all your academic endeavors.
