UNISA Proctoring Tools: A Complete Guide for Students

UNISA Proctoring Tools: A Complete Guide for Students. As the University of South Africa (UNISA) continues to embrace online learning, ensuring the integrity of examinations has become a top priority. To safeguard the examination process and ensure fair play, UNISA employs various proctoring and invigilation tools. These tools are designed to monitor students during their online exams, providing a secure and controlled environment for both students and examiners.

Table of Contents

What is Proctoring and Why is it Important?

Proctoring refers to the process of monitoring students during online exams to ensure they adhere to academic integrity standards. With the growing shift towards digital learning platforms, proctoring tools have become essential in maintaining the credibility of online exams. These tools help prevent cheating and ensure that students complete their assessments independently.

UNISA, like many other institutions, has adopted a variety of proctoring tools to manage different types of assessments. Let’s dive into the specifics of each tool.

1. Moodle Proctoring Tool

The Moodle Proctoring Tool is primarily used for Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) and Quiz examinations. This tool ensures that students are properly monitored during their online assessments, guaranteeing fairness and preventing any form of cheating.

How Moodle Proctoring Works

Eligible Exams: The Moodle Proctoring Tool is used for all MCQ and Quiz-based exams, except for those in the CSET (Centre for Science, Engineering, and Technology) modules.
Camera Access Required: Students will need to ensure that their mobile or laptop camera is activated. This allows the tool to monitor them throughout the exam.
Starting Your Exam: Once you begin your MCQ/Quiz examination through the myExams platform, you will be prompted to activate your camera. This can be done through the browser settings on your mobile or laptop.
Background Monitoring: After activating the camera, the proctoring tool works in the background without requiring further action from the student.
Preparation for Moodle Proctoring: To familiarize yourself with this tool, you can take part in the mock examination course: ADOVH001, available on the UNISA website.
Non-usage of Proctoring Tools: If you fail to use the Moodle Proctoring Tool for your MCQ/Quiz exams, your marks will be withheld, unless you are exempted from using it.

Key Points

Ensure that your camera is working properly before the exam.
Activate your camera when prompted by the exam platform.
Take the mock exams to practice the tool and ensure you are comfortable with it.

2. Invigilator App for File-Upload/Take-Home Exams

For file-upload or take-home examinations, UNISA uses the Invigilator App. This app provides remote invigilation, monitoring students during these types of assessments.

How the Invigilator App Works

Eligible Exams: The Invigilator App is used for all file-upload and take-home exams, excluding CSET exams.
App Download: Students are required to download the Invigilator App from their respective app stores (Google Play Store, Apple Store, or Huawei App Gallery) at least a day before the examination.
Registration: Once downloaded, students must register using their myLife email account.
QR Code Activation: On the day of the exam, students will be required to scan the QR code provided on their module site or examination question paper. This code is available for activation 15 minutes before the exam begins and 30 minutes after the scheduled start time.
Flight Mode Requirement: After scanning the QR code, students must switch their phones to flight mode to ensure no interference during the exam.
Invigilator App Activities: The app will prompt students to engage in various activities to verify their identity and monitor exam progress. It is important not to close the app during the exam, as this will deactivate the invigilation.
Uploading Results: After completing the exam, students must upload their invigilation results within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in the exam being considered invalid, and students will not be credited for participation.
Preparation for the Invigilator App: To prepare for the invigilation process, take part in the mock examination course ADOVH001 to familiarize yourself with how the app works.

Key Points

Download the Invigilator App in advance to avoid delays on the day of the exam.
Register using your myLife email account.
Scan the QR code on time and ensure your phone is on flight mode.
Upload your invigilation results within 48 hours after the exam.

3. IRIS Proctoring Tool for CSET Examinations

The IRIS Proctoring Tool is used exclusively for CSET exams. This advanced tool provides a secure way of monitoring students during these specialized assessments.

How IRIS Proctoring Works

Eligible Exams: All CSET examinations are proctored using the IRIS invigilation tool.
Software Installation: Before the exam day, students must install the IRIS software on a laptop that is enabled with a webcam. The software is available for download on the myModules site.
Activation: On the day of the exam, students will activate the IRIS tool when they access the exam on the myExams portal.
Automatic Login: The IRIS tool automatically enters the myExams password to allow students to begin their online assessments.
Practice Exams: To familiarize yourself with the tool, take part in the IRIS PREP 2022 practice exam available on the myModules site.
Non-usage of Proctoring Tools: Just like with other tools, failure to use IRIS for CSET exams will result in withheld marks unless exempted.

Points to Remember

Install the IRIS software on a laptop with a functional webcam before the exam day.
Use the practice exam to familiarize yourself with the IRIS tool.
Ensure the IRIS tool is activated correctly when accessing your exam.

Comparison of UNISA’s Proctoring Tools

To help you better understand the differences between the tools, here’s a comparison table:

Proctoring Tool	Eligible Exams	Tool Requirements	Key Actions	Preparation Tips
Moodle Proctoring	MCQs and Quizzes (except CSET)	Mobile/Laptop camera	Activate camera when prompted, stay active in the exam	Take mock exams, check camera
Invigilator App	File-upload and Take-home Exams	App download (Google, Huawei, Apple stores)	Scan QR code, switch phone to flight mode, upload results	Download and register in advance
IRIS Proctoring	CSET Examinations	Laptop with webcam, IRIS software installation	Automatically log in, participate in practice exams	Install IRIS, use practice exam

Conclusion

As online learning continues to evolve, UNISA’s proctoring tools ensure that exams are secure, fair, and free from any dishonest practices. Whether you’re taking MCQs, file-upload exams, or CSET assessments, understanding the requirements for each tool is crucial for a smooth exam experience.