Lipscomb University moved to remote course delivery on March 23, 2020. As we continue to engage in this different teaching and learning environment, there have been and will be questions about different aspects of this situation.
Lipscomb University is committed to doing everything within its power to support your academic success as you complete your studies this semester. We suspect there will be moments, maybe even days, of challenge, frustration, and stress. But we hope in those times we remember that we are still engaged in the experience of learning. Learning is always about discovery, and discovery has been front and center for all of us during the past few weeks.
The university is depending on a variety of technological resources to ensure the best teaching and learning experience possible, so you can successfully continue your academic journey. Canvas, Zoom, Panopto, and Honorlock are a few of the platforms the university has provided to assist faculty in delivering course content and assessing the learning of that content. Faculty are using a variety of assessment techniques and one of those may be online proctored testing.
Lipscomb University has signed a contract with Honorlock to provide options for online proctored testing. We understand some concerns have been raised by students and their families in regard to privacy and security. Lipscomb University’s General Counsel and Information Technology and Security personnel have approved the specific legal requirements in the contract for privacy and security of student information.
Honorlock and Lipscomb University are committed to protecting student privacy. Lipscomb University’s contract with Honorlock requires Honorlock to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)and includes additional security provisions not provided in Honorlock’s standard agreement. In addition, Honorlock complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which reflects the rigid security Honorlock has in place.
Honorlock’s Student Privacy Statement includes the following statement: “Student privacy is incredibly important – to students, to professors and to Honorlock – especially in these uncertain times. While we are all struggling under this ‘new normal,’ we wanted to take a moment to address some unfounded fears that are making the rounds about privacy. Being students once ourselves, when we decided to build the Honorlock infrastructure for testing, we wanted something seamless for users while also protecting the privacy of those who use our solution. For these reasons, the Honorlock system only requires that you install the Honorlock Chrome extension into Google Chrome.”
Further, Honorlock’s Student Privacy Statement, which can be found at https://honorlock.com/student-privacy-statement/, addresses the following concerns, some of which are also addressed below:
· Does Honorlock access other computers, mobile devices and equipment on the network and scan them for information?
· Does Honorlock route traffic through your servers in order to analyze or monitor information from devices on the server?
· What can Honorlock do?
· Does Honorlock sell or share your data?
Again, Lipscomb University values your security and has taken every precaution to make certain your information is protected. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding Honorlock’s practices and processes.
What do I do if I do not have the resources to participate in online proctored testing?
Communicate any limitations or obstacles you have regarding online proctored testing to your instructors so they can work with you. Students experiencing a financial hardship related to acquiring the appropriate technology should contact Catherine Terry at Catherine.Terry@lipscomb.edu.
Can my information be sold to third party vendors if I participate in Honorlock?
No. Honorlock’s Student Privacy Statement prohibits it from selling your information to third parties.
Does Honorlock scan home networks or monitor data from devices connected to the same network?
No. Honorlock does not scan your network or monitor data from any device on the network. Honorlock does not scan your network, your computer, your phone or any other devices on your network. Honorlock has no access to anyone’s network or devices, nor could they unless they are given access by the owner or user. Furthermore, Honorlock does not route traffic from your device through their servers in any way. Honorlock has a patent that is available for public access that explains the exact process in which they know when a student is searching the internet for exam content. It is a complex method for both scrubbing content from the web and also knowing the exam questions being presented to the exam taker through the LMS. With question sequencing and randomization, they are able to triangulate when a search takes place for the exam questions and content within the exam. This is done through partnerships and other means of self-hosting content. If students are not searching for their exam questions during the time of the exam there is nothing Honorlock can track in regards to any computer, mobile device, tablet, etc. within the household or place the exam is being taken.
Does Honorlock have the ability to monitor my secondary devices during an examination?
Students using their smartphones to search online resources for test questions should note Honorlock utilizes a manual technology to detect academic integrity issues. Specifically, Honorlock hosts websites with seeded test questions that, when accessed during an examination session, sets off an action on the phone. This action is picked up during the student’s session and alerts instructors to review academic integrity issues. Honorlock does not initiate any technologies to eavesdrop on the student’s smartphone activity either during or after an examination session. It is important for students to understand they are not authorized to use their phones during an Honorlock proctored examination.
Is someone watching me the whole time?
Yes and no. Your webcam is recording you during your test, but no one is watching your exam in real time. Honorlock uses AI technology to monitor your session, and, if it senses that something is wrong, it will trigger a live proctor pop in. The proctor will assess the situation, help you get back on track, and send any notes about the incident to your instructor. After your test, one of Honorlock’s exam proctors may review the exam session to look for any potential violations, and the recording will also be sent to your instructor along with any notes from Honorlock proctors.