eLearning Newsletter

#OnlineExamSupport

Read the examination related information shared on RES website, GSO website and eLearning website for Assessment Support and share the applicable information with students.
Remind students of the following:
1. use a computer; avoid using mobile phones, tablets, or the Blackboard app to take online exams;
2. use a reliable and stable network to do online exams. If needed, students in Mainland China can register for CUHK VPN Add-On Service;
3. report any technical issues/problems to the course teacher/invigilator immediately; do NOT ignore error messages;
4. get ready using the planned alternative technologies (as advised by the course teacher/invigilator);
5. VeriGuide: make sure students are familiar with both VeriGuide 2020 and VeriGuide Express;
6. Respondus Lockdown Browser (LDB) exams:
  - check and update LDB to the latest version and perform self-practice again after updating it; make sure NO alert messages when saving answers, and all answers are properly saved;
  - clean restart the computer; close irrelevant applications before starting the exams.
7. Blackboard test exams:
  - do NOT refresh the page / close window / click the 'Go back' button in the browser;
  - get ready to take pictures of their answers or error messages under the instructions of the course teachers/invigilators in case of technical issues which risk the loss of answers;
  - check out Tips for taking a test;
8. Blackboard assignment exams:
  - save their answers regularly and locally on their computers before submission to Blackboard to prevent loss of answers due to session timeout/network failure;
  - Blackboard session timeout is 3 hours. If needed, sign in again and use an active browser session to ensure successful submission;
  - make sure they have submitted their assignments successfully, and they have received the submission receipts;
9. check out suggestions from our eLearning Student Ambassadors on Instagram.
Consider the following:
1. remind students of the Declaration of Honesty in Academic Work (and the consequences and penalties of cheating) (or requiring students to sign it once again right before starting the exams);
2. remind students to report exam related issues (technical issues included) immediately during the exam and whether/how late reports (e.g. after grade release) will be handled;
3. remind students of the exam rules. If the rule states that late submissions (>X min) will not be accepted, while technical issues encountered during submission could be a justification to ask for exception handling, the IT tool (e.g. Gradescope) accepted the late submission is not an acceptable justification. It may just be that the IT tool cannot be configured not to accept late submissions. It does not mean that teacher would accept late submissions.
4. use a staggered model for releasing question paper and collection of answer script from students to distribute the system load to help ensure a smooth process;
5. accommodate students with special needs (need more time, need to use screen reader, need to use VPN service to access non-China hosted technologies, unstable internet, unstable power supply, need for a suitable space etc.); extending the exam time to allow students to deal with issues;
6. contact respective offices for help and support if needed;
7. if time and manpower allow, check students' submitted answers before allowing students to leave the exams (particularly for students who encounter technical issues such as network disconnection, computer power failure to reduce the risk of answer loss).
Anticipate everything that could go wrong and use the information to plan mitigation strategies. Consider informing the students on the arrangements in advance (especially for F2F+Online exams).
If something went wrong, announcements/updates would be made on the respective system/service, ITSC website, and via hotline 39433901.
If the problem cannot be resolved within a reasonable period (or no estimated recovery time can be provided), be prepared to execute the backup plan (e.g. use of alternative technologies, the arrangement of makeup exams) after consulting the respective offices.
We have put together a support article on the technologies adopted by exams with "self-arranged online invigilation" and a few last-minute reminders. The suggestions apply to the use of the technologies in general (i.e. not just for exams with "self-arranged online invigilation").
Non-centralized online exams scheduled out of Apr 28 - May 14? Support requests can be submitted using this web form.