Revisions made to Respondus program usage at U of G

Following the creation of a student and faculty advisory committee to reassess virtual exam monitoring tools at the University of Guelph, Respondus proctoring software will continue to be utilized at the university with strengthened assistance from professors.

The revision of Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor usage at U of G followed concerns expressed by students in relation to the programs due to, among other things, issues of software accessibility and racial bias.

These problems motivated U of G students to start a petition to cease all usage of the programs, an initiative that received over 4,700 signatures in October when The Ontarion previously covered the topic.

Now, the petition has reached over 4,900 signatures, less than 100 away from its goal.

In February, U of G sent an email to its students announcing their revisions to all usage of the Respondus programs. Namely, instructors must: • Help students familiarize themselves with the exam environment via a practice test • Provide notice that students may borrow a computer from the university if their personal devices don’t meet system requirements • Allow at least 30 minutes before the exam for students to log into the virtual environment • Provide students with CourseLink contact information in the event that technical issues occur during examination • Remain online and accessible throughout the exam

Additionally, U of G encourages those with human rights concerns over Respondus to request an alternative assessment process from their instructor.

While the revisions offer additional support for those using the programs, they only address the most basic concerns raised by students.

VP Academic of the Central Student Association (CSA) Sean Mitchell previously told The Ontarion that in light of student concerns over the software’s invasive nature, the CSA would be advocating for alternative assessment methods, modification of courses that utilize Respondus programs, and rejection of winter 2021 course outlines that measured 10 per cent or more of graded course assessments through lockdown browsers.

With U of G’s updated guideline for Respondus, Mitchell states that “while the decision isn’t a perfect solution, it at least ensures that all students are treated equitably.”

However, Mitchell also says that “if we’re only satisfying basic human rights concerns, then there’s a broader issue that still exists with the software.”

Due to the speed at which the university switched to virtual learning, issues stemming from the “overzealous use of proctoring software” were “inevitable,” says Mitchell, who noted that students have been dealing with unaddressed issues since the beginning of the pandemic.

Such issues include privacy concerns over being recorded, as well as sufficient internet access — which not all students have while learning from home.

While U of G states that the program is used to “uphold academic integrity,” Mitchell says that some students have been bypassing software flagging protocols that flag cheating behaviours.

“It puts the rest of the student population at a disadvantage if there are a select few groups of students that are able to circumvent the Respondus tool [and obtain higher grades as a result] while the majority of the student population are acting in good faith and not committing academic misconduct,” said Mitchell.

While Mitchell says the university’s announced plan is “better late than never,” he added that the CSA is “not prepared to accept this as the final decision. There are still so many outstanding issues that need to be dealt with, so we’ll be continuing our advocacy going forward.”

As the university opts to continue proctoring examinations, the CSA will continue pushing for alternative assessment options

ELENI KOPSAFTIS

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

The Ontarion is always looking for passionate and creative volunteers to join our team of reporters, copyeditors, photographers, and illustrators!

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THEONTARION.COM/VOLUNTEER

@THEONTARION

Brisson, Leis & Associates OPTOMETRISTS

Judith A. Brisson, O.D. P. Lynne Leis, O.D. Reita Thomas-Parel, O.D. Violet Zawada, O.D. Jianchang (Iris) Shen, Optometrist

Serving the U of G community for 40 years, we provide personalized eye care including comprehensive examinations, contact lenses and eyewear.

Exams available in English, French, Polish, Mandarin and Cantonese.

21 College Avenue West, Guelph (across from OVC) TEL (519) 822-2710 · FAX (519) 822-7877 www.eyesoncollege.ca · brisson.leis@rogers.com