Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 15, 2025
08:33
A Cross-Disciplinary and Multi-Modal Experimental Design for Studying Near-Real-Time Authentic Examination Experiences
Published on: September 4, 2019
7.3K
Optimized collusion prevention for online exams during social distancing.
Mengzhou Li1, Lei Luo2, Sujoy Sikdar3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.
NPJ Science of Learning
|March 2, 2021
Summary
This study introduces a new online anti-collusion method for distanced online testing (DOT). The DOT approach significantly reduces cheating opportunities in online exams by optimizing question delivery.
Area of Science:
- Educational Technology
- Computer Science
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for effective online education solutions.
- Traditional online exams are vulnerable to collusion, especially when students take exams remotely.
- Existing proctoring methods for online exams are often expensive, compromise privacy, or fail to prevent collusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an optimization-based anti-collusion approach for distanced online testing (DOT).
- To minimize collusion gain in online examinations.
- To provide a scalable and effective solution for secure online assessments.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel DOT technology utilizing prior knowledge of student competencies.
- Optimized question sequences and assigned them to students within synchronized time slots.
- Minimized collusion gain through strategic question and timing assignments.
Main Results:
- Reduced collusion gain by 2-3 orders of magnitude compared to conventional simultaneous question delivery.
- Demonstrated the ability to control collusion gain to a sufficiently low level.
- Successfully implemented the DOT format in a recent final exam, validated by statistical tests and surveys.
Conclusions:
- The developed DOT approach offers a robust solution to mitigate collusion in online exams.
- This method can be integrated with other cheating prevention techniques for enhanced security.
- DOT technology provides a viable and effective alternative for secure distanced online assessments.
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