{"id":1527,"date":"2020-04-06T15:43:53","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T19:43:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/?page_id=1527"},"modified":"2021-03-08T14:24:29","modified_gmt":"2021-03-08T19:24:29","slug":"remote-assessment-guidance-for-instructors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/remote-assessment-guidance-for-instructors\/","title":{"rendered":"Remote Assessment Guidance for Instructors"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Our recommended solution for remote assessments is using Blackboard Learn.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Overview<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><a id=\"ExamOverview\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>At the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/president\/message-from-president-brown-covid-19-update\/\">request<\/a> of the BU administration, all assessments must be conducted remotely in order to ensure that all students can complete their classes with a grade for the spring 2020 semester. Any changes to modes of assessment should be made clear to students as soon as is practical. In addition, the provost <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/provost\/2020\/03\/19\/current-guidelines-for-course-completion-this-semester\/\">has asked<\/a> that faculty be flexible in granting makeup exams, since many students may encounter health and other challenges in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.<\/p>\n<p>Both the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ctl\/\">Center for Teaching &amp; Learning (CTL)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/provost\/2020\/03\/09\/remote-teaching-readiness-plan\/\">Remote Teaching Coordinators (RTC&#8217;s)<\/a> are excellent resources for considering how and when to administer midterm or final exams*. The CTL provides context for thinking about different forms of assessment:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They provide a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ctl\/assessment-and-remote-teaching\/\">helpful starting guide<\/a> which includes general considerations and possible changes for your remote exams.<\/li>\n<li>You can find logistical concerns and examples of specific exam solutions that utilize BU resources <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ctl\/options-for-assessment-tasks\/\">here<\/a> (this is extended in their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/files\/2020\/03\/CTL_Assessment-Options-March-26-27-1.pptx\">ppt<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*<em>Faculty may <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/provost\/2020\/03\/19\/current-guidelines-for-course-completion-this-semester\/\">delay their midterm exams<\/a> in order to consider what format of assessment now makes sense. As of 4\/1\/2020, the University has not changed their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/reg\/calendars\/final-exams\/policy\/\">policy<\/a> that final exams must be be administered within the scheduled final examination period; however, this may be changed due to various factors such as time zones.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Blackboard for Exams<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><a id=\"ExamBB\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is the recommended and most supported assessment solution; Blackboard is now fully integrated for all courses with easy-to-use exam options.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Methodologies<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\nThere are 2 main methods to conduct assessments over Blackboard:<br \/>\n1. Online exams where students answer on Blackboard with built-in questions<br \/>\n2. Provide the exam questions in a downloadable format and have students upload files of their written or typed work<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Basics &#8211; How-To&#8217;s<\/span><\/strong><a id=\"ExamBB-Basics\"><\/a><br \/>\n&#8211; <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/instructors\/videos\/assessments\/\"><strong>Test Creation<\/strong> Guide<\/a> (<strong>strongly recommended<\/strong> that you start here)<br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\/Test_and_Survey_Options#force-completion-timer-and-password_OTP-2\">Setting a Test <strong>Timer or Password<\/strong><\/a><\/span><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\/Edit_Tests_and_Questions#edit-delete-or-reorder-questions_OTP-1\"><span><strong>Edit Test Questions<\/strong><\/span><\/a><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\/Question_Types\/File_Response_Questions\"><span>Adding <strong>File Upload fields<\/strong> to Questions<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Advanced &#8211; How-To&#8217;s<\/span><\/strong><span><a id=\"ExamBB-Advanced\"><\/a><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\/Test_and_Survey_Options#presentation\">Randomized <strong>Order of Questions<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\/Question_Settings#change-question-settings_OTP-1\">Randomized <strong>Order of Answers<\/strong> to a Question<\/a><br \/>\n&#8211;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\/Reuse_Questions\/Random_Block#watch-a-video-about-random-blocks_OTP-1\">Randomized\u00a0<strong>Selection of Questions from a Pool<\/strong><\/a> (and <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\/Orig_Reuse_Questions\/Question_Pools#watch-a-video-about-building-a-question-pool_OTP-1\">Creating a Question Pool<\/a>)<br \/>\n&#8211; <strong>Asynchronous testing<\/strong> that can be taken at the student&#8217;s discretion: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/how-to\/test-settings\/#section3\">Set the Test Due Date<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n&#8211; <strong>Synchronous testing<\/strong> in a time window: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/how-to\/test-settings\/#section2\">Set the Test Availability &#8216;Display After&#8217; time<\/a>\u00a0AND\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/how-to\/test-settings\/#section3\">Due Date<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/how-to\/test-settings\/#section3\"><br \/>\n<\/a><span>&#8211;\u00a0Set\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\/Test_and_Survey_Options#test-availability-exceptions_OTP-4\">Student <strong>Availability Exceptions<\/strong><\/a> (i.e. shifting for time zones* or extra time accommodations)<\/span><br \/>\n<span>&#8211;\u00a0For\u00a0<strong>multiple test versions<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/instructors\/videos\/assessments\/\">Create<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Course_Content\/Release_Content\/Criteria_for_Releasing_Content#membership\">Assign Tests to a Groups of Students<\/a>** (<a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Interact\/Course_Groups\/Create_Groups#create-a-group-set_OTP-5\">Creating Groups<\/a>)<\/span><span><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/instructors\/download-assignments\/\"><strong>Download<\/strong> all Student <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/instructors\/download-assignments\/\">File Submissions<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>* Blackboard automatically adjusts how times are displayed according to the user&#8217;s time zone.<br \/>\n** <span>Adaptive Release Rules can override any<\/span>\u00a0conflicting\u00a0<span>Test Availability Exceptions when used together<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Knowledge Base<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/faqs-zoom-blackboard-mymedia-basics\/\">DL&amp;I&#8217;s Remote Teaching Software FAQ&#8217;s<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/faqs-zoom-blackboard-mymedia-basics\/\"><br \/>\n<\/a>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/how-to\/test-settings\/\">TechWeb&#8217;s Test Settings Overview<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/faqs-zoom-blackboard-mymedia-basics\/\"><\/a><\/span><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/instructors\/\">TechWeb&#8217;s Instructor Homepage<\/a> (includes many helpful links)<br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/help\/blackboard\/\">BU Help&#8217;s Course Site Changes Homepage<\/a><br \/>\n<span>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\">Blackboard&#8217;s On Demand Learning Center<\/a>\u00a0(and their <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\">Tests Section<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Trainings<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/faculty-resource-remote-teaching-preparedness-training\/\">DL&amp;I&#8217;s Upcoming Remote Teaching Trainings<\/a> (and <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/remote-teaching-at-bu-training-recordings\/\">archive recordings<\/a> of old trainings)<br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/about\/training\/classroom\/courseware\/\">IS&amp;T&#8217;s Hands-On Courseware Workshops<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Other Exam Software<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><a id=\"ExamOther\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>ENG IT can only provide access to the basic remote teaching software. All other software must be pursued by faculty members individually. Below are some examples that have been used by BU faculty in the past.<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/install-zoom\/\">Zoom<\/a> can be used to conduct multiple choice quizzes. For a guide on how to do this, see <a href=\"https:\/\/support.zoom.us\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/213756303-Polling-for-Meetings\">Zoom&#8217;s Video Tutorial<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/files\/2020\/03\/Joerg_Polls.pdf\">Joerg Werner&#8217;s Guide<\/a> on Zoom polls.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gradescope.com\/\">Gradescope<\/a> is an assignment submission software that lets students upload pictures of their work and offers grading assistance. For information on obtaining access, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/gradescope-for-assessment\/\">here<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.turnitin.com\/\">Turnitin<\/a> is a document submission software that checks for plagiarism. Blackboard has Turnitin functionality automatically enabled for all courses. See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/assessment\/grading-support-tools\/turnitin\/blackboard\/\">IS&amp;T&#8217;s guide<\/a> for how to enable and help with use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/tophat.com\/test\/\">TopHat<\/a> conducts secure electronic exams with browser monitoring to detect behavior indicative of cheating.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Proctoring<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><a id=\"ExamProctor\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Online exam proctoring services are available upon request for Blackboard exams through <a data-is-link=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/remote-teaching-at-bu-online-exam-proctoring\/\" class=\"textEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/remote-teaching-at-bu-online-exam-proctoring\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Examity<\/a>. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/provost\/2020\/03\/19\/current-guidelines-for-course-completion-this-semester\/\">BU&#8217;s policy<\/a> is that this service is to be used ONLY for accreditation or other critical requirements AND requires written approval from your <a data-is-link=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/provost\/2020\/03\/09\/remote-teaching-readiness-plan\/\" class=\"textEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/provost\/2020\/03\/09\/remote-teaching-readiness-plan\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Remote Teaching Coordinator<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, if you would like to utilize your course TF&#8217;s as proctors, this can most easily be done by splitting up your class into smaller Zoom meetings for the TF&#8217;s to host. The following links may be helpful for setting this up:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/files\/2020\/03\/Joyce.pdf\">Splitting a Class into Multiple Breakout Rooms<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/schedule-a-meeting\/#ZoomScheduleBlackboard\">Schedule a Meeting<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/web-app-settings\/\">Meeting Settings<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/muting-zoom-participants\/\">Muting Participants<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You may also find it useful to <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Tests_Pools_Surveys\/Test_and_Survey_Options#force-completion-timer-and-password_OTP-2\">set a test password<\/a> and distribute this through the proctor meeting to ensure that students are being monitored before beginning.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Academic Integrity \/ Cheating<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><a id=\"ExamCheat\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ctl\/assessment-and-remote-teaching\/\">CTL has said<\/a>, &#8220;maintaining academic integrity in an online environment is challenging!&#8221; To deal with this, they list recommendations such as:<br \/>\n<span>&#8211; Having students sign an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/policies\/academic-conduct-code\/\">Academic Conduct<\/a> statement<a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/faqs-zoom-blackboard-mymedia-basics\/\"><br \/>\n<\/a>&#8211; Using the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/assessment\/grading-support-tools\/turnitin\/blackboard\/\">Turnitin<\/a> plagiarism checker\u00a0for longer exam questions<\/span><br \/>\n&#8211; Consulting with EdTech for further information at\u00a0<a data-is-link=\"mailto:askedtech@bu.edu\" class=\"textEditor-link\" href=\"mailto:askedtech@bu.edu\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">askedtech@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span>In addition to these, you can use various combinations of the techniques on this page to combat the feasibility of cheating.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/remote-assessment-guidance-for-instructors\/#ExamProctor\">Proctoring<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/remote-assessment-guidance-for-instructors\/#ExamBB-Basics\">Setting a Timer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/remote-assessment-guidance-for-instructors\/#ExamBB-Advanced\">Synchronous Testing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/remote-assessment-guidance-for-instructors\/#ExamBB-Advanced\">Multiple Test Versions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/teaching-remotely\/remote-assessment-guidance-for-instructors\/#ExamBB-Advanced\">Question Randomization<\/a><\/li>\n<li>A longer test provides less potential downtime for students in which cheating may occur<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Technical &amp; Logistical Tips<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><a id=\"ExamTips\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Remotely conducting all midterm and final exams remotely is a daunting task. Listed below are some tips that have helped faculty prevent problems from arising. Make sure to discuss the test format and expectations with your students beforehand.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If uploading written work, instruct students to use a PDF scanner app, rather than trying to upload high-resolution photos<\/li>\n<li>Try to limit the means of submission to 1 place; don&#8217;t spread\u00a0answers and problem work over both PDF upload and manual entry into Blackboard<\/li>\n<li>Allow for a large enough submission window to accommodate potential network slowdowns<\/li>\n<li>Prepare a backup strategy for students to submit and notify them (i.e. emailing their answers in directly if Blackboard is not working<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>If you think of any other useful tips or information, please let us know so that we can help all faculty successfully conduct their final exams<\/em><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">More Resources<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><a id=\"ExamResources\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/support\/working-teaching-remotely\/\">TechWeb&#8217;s Remote Teaching Homepage<\/a><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/remote-teaching-resources-at-bu\/\">DL&amp;I&#8217;s Remote Teaching Resources<\/a><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.bu.edu\/remote-teaching-at-bu-a-guide-to-disability-access-services\/\">DL&amp;I&#8217;s Guide to Remote Disability Access Services<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><em>Note: classes that include one or more individuals with documented accommodations by the BU Office of Disability &amp; Access Services must be sure to adhere to ADA-compliant regulations when conducting exams. <a data-is-link=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/disability\/\" class=\"textEditor-link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/disability\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Disability &amp; Access Services<\/a> can provide resources to help address potential issues that could occur in a remote format.<span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Note: all Zoom recordings must maintain <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/reg\/academics\/ferpa\/\">FERPA compliance<\/a>\u00a0and not be made publicly available outside of Blackboard&#8217;s My Media.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our recommended solution for remote assessments is using Blackboard Learn. Note: classes that include one or more individuals with documented accommodations by the BU Office of Disability &amp; Access Services must be sure to adhere to ADA-compliant regulations when conducting exams. Disability &amp; Access Services can provide resources to help address potential issues that could [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15755,"featured_media":0,"parent":1124,"menu_order":13,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1527"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15755"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1527"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2043,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1527\/revisions\/2043"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/engit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}