I was about to sign up for a new school (I’ve already been accepted), but their exams are all closed book - even though the degree is entirely online.
On top of that, it’s in software engineering. So, it’s not like the other students don’t know how to cheat and get away with it; it’s quite easy. Use a VM, or a second PC, or … etc.
Thus, I’ll have relatively bad grades, because I’m not willing to cheat.
Does it sound like I should even bother? Closed book tests in an online-only degree sounds stupid?.. But, maybe I’m missing something.
Thoughts?
Online proctoring isn’t uncommon. You have to use your webcam to show your surroundings to your proctor and they will ask you to show random items. If you can’t take a test without it being open book, you probably don’t know the material well enough. Higher quality schools will be concerned with the learning outcomes of their students.
A co-worker was taking online classes at Stanford. Our boss proctored his exams and she certified he didn’t use books or other materials. I’m not even sure he was doing it for a degree, but he wanted to take the courses and that was a requirement, proctored exams.
^ I took an online Spanish course once and it was the same format. It’s no different from regular exams, except you get to do it in the comfort of your own home.