What is Honorlock Chrome Extension?

Remote learning has become more common, requiring ways to ensure academic integrity for online assessments. Honorlock is an online proctoring service used to monitor test takers during online exams.

This guide will explain what Honorlock is, how it works, its privacy policies, and what students need to use it.

What is Honorlock and How Was it Chosen?

Honorlock is a remote proctoring service that allows students to take exams online while being monitored to prevent cheating. Students are recorded via webcam and screen capture during the exam.

The university carefully vetted several proctoring services and selected Honorlock for its security, simplicity, and compliance with privacy laws like FERPA. Information security staff evaluated Honorlock's data protections across 15 key areas.

Why Use Proctoring for Online Exams?

Since tests are now remote, proctoring helps maintain academic integrity. Unproctored online exams are more susceptible to cheating. Proctoring creates a level playing field and ensures students are evaluated fairly based on their merit.

While proctoring may cause some discomfort, it is a reasonable measure to uphold academic honesty and meet the university's duty to protect integrity in assessment. Proctored exams will be the exception, not the rule, but are useful in some high-stakes tests.

How Does Honorlock Proctoring Work?

When starting an exam requiring Honorlock in Blackboard, you'll click “Launch Proctoring” to begin the monitoring process. Honorlock will prompt you to:

1. Take a photo of yourself.
2. Show your ID to confirm your identity.
3. Do an environmental scan of your room with your webcam.

Honorlock records your screen, webcam video, and audio during the exam session. The software detects search engine use and attempts to cheat.

Once you submit the exam, the recording stops and your session ends. Your instructor can then view recordings and check for academic integrity violations if needed.

What Technology is Required to Use Honorlock?

To use Honorlock, you need:

1. A laptop or desktop computer (no tablets or phones)
2. The Google Chrome browser
3. A working webcam and microphone
4. Stable internet connection
5. Valid photo ID to verify identity

The webcam must show your face, hands, workspace, and surroundings, so an external webcam is recommended if your laptop camera has a limited field of view.

How Does Honorlock Protect Student Privacy?

Honorlock takes several steps to protect student privacy:

1. Recordings are encrypted and stored securely, available only to authorized staff.
2. Faculty must request access to view recordings of their course's students.
3. Recordings are automatically deleted after a set period.
4. Student personal data is not sold to or shared with third parties.
5. Honorlock only accesses student data and webcam during actual proctored exam sessions.

Can Students Opt Out of Using Honorlock?

No, students cannot opt out of using Honorlock if the instructor requires it for an exam. Proctoring during remote assessment is necessary to preserve academic integrity, just as exams given in person are invigilated.

Students should discuss any concerns about Honorlock with their instructor beforehand. In extraordinary cases, the Dean of Students office may be able to assist students who face challenges using the proctoring technology.

What Happens if Honorlock Detects Potential Cheating?

Honorlock uses its recorded data to flag suspicious behaviors during the exam, such as speaking out loud, looking off-screen, accessing blocked sites, etc. This information is sent to the instructor.

The instructor reviews the flagged events and video recordings to determine if cheating may have occurred. They must contact the student to allow them to explain the behavior observed before making any accusations of academic dishonesty.

Ultimately, only the instructor can decide if the student's actions constitute cheating based on the recorded evidence and the student's description of events. Confirmed violations would be handled per established disciplinary procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Honorlock

Does Honorlock track everything happening on my computer and home internet network?

No, Honorlock only monitors your actions within the Chrome browser during an active exam session. It cannot access other applications, devices, or network activity outside of Chrome.

Can Honorlock detect if I use my phone or other device during the exam?

Yes, Honorlock may be able to detect secondary devices via the webcam or sounds and notify your instructor. However, it cannot directly access your other devices or see what is displayed on them.

How long are my exam recordings stored by Honorlock?

Recordings are automatically deleted after a set retention period determined by the university. This retention window allows instructors and staff to review recordings related to suspected academic integrity violations if needed.

Does Honorlock work on mobile devices like iPads or Android tablets?

No, Honorlock only works on laptop or desktop computers using the Chrome browser. Tablets and mobile devices are not supported.

What if I encounter technical issues with Honorlock during an exam?

You can contact Honorlock's live support technicians for troubleshooting assistance if you experience any technical difficulties during a proctored exam session.

Getting Started with Honorlock

Using Honorlock properly takes some preparation. Here are some tips for getting started:

1. Test your computer equipment ahead of time to ensure everything works properly with Honorlock.
2. Position your webcam to provide a clear view of your face, hands, work area, and surroundings.
3. Clear your workspace of any unauthorized materials, devices, or aids before starting the proctored exam.
4. Review Honorlock's requirements and demo videos so you understand the full process.
5. Contact your professor or Honorlock support if you have questions before taking a proctored test.
6. Check your internet connection stability to prevent disruptions during the exam session.

With the proper setup and preparation, Honorlock can provide effective and secure remote proctoring, helping maintain academic integrity as education moves online. Carefully follow the procedures and you can complete your proctored exams with confidence.