ProctorTrack: A Comprehensive Guide to Remote Proctoring Solutions for Online Learning

With the rise of online education, many institutions have turned to remote proctoring solutions to administer tests with integrity. One of these companies is ProctorTrack, which offers a variety of services for both traditional and non-traditional students.

ProctorTrack has been used by numerous colleges and universities, including top-tier schools such as Rutgers and more accessible schools like Florida’s Broward College Online. In addition, the company markets its platform to K-12 schools and corporations.

One of the primary benefits of using online proctoring companies is the cost savings that come from doing away with maintaining real estate and personnel to conduct in-person testing. Another benefit is the ability for students to take a test anytime, anywhere.

ProctorTrack offers four levels of service:

Level 1: ProctorLock – The cheapest offering, this software-only option verifies test-takers’ identities and records their test sessions. Identity verification typically consists of comparing the face on the webcam with a previous baseline photo and a photo ID. ProctorTrack also enables biometric identification using knuckle scans or room scans at an instructor’s discretion. During recording, ProctorTrack captures webcam video, computer microphone audio from the test session, snapshots of the computer screen along with disabling student access from any other websites except those specifically approved by an instructor for use during tests.

Level 2: ProctorAuto – This level adds “automated data analysis” which detects six “unique testing violations” not included in Level 1 among the 11 detected by Level 1.

Level 3: ProctorTrack QA – This level includes a human review of AI results before publication.

Level 4: ProctorLive AI – This is the most expensive level which finally adds “live remote human proctors” during tests working in tandem with AI technology to detect cheating and make corrections in real-time.

Proctor Checkpoint is an add-on feature for any of the above levels that features a remote human being conducting identity verification and room scanning live.

However, advertising that a test can be taken “anywhere” may be misleading. Home might not always provide the silent, pristine environment ProctorTrack demands of students. Not all students are lucky enough to have a quiet, private space just for themselves. The ProctorTrack system easily flags random extraneous noises as violations like “loud footprints from a students upstairs neighbour,” or something as simple as “a students daughter asking about dinner.”

Other unconventional locations like empty classrooms and libraries when schools are closed may not be available. Public libraries will also have background noise, setting off the ProctorTrack software for possible reports of cheating. In such situations, test-takers will be at a loss about the cause of random noises or the identity of people walking into view on their webcams.

Online test-takers would also encounter creative ways to cheat these systems just as they would with in-person testing. ProctorTrack admits its services are only capable of ramping up the level of difficulty for cheaters and acknowledges that committed cheaters can defeat it though failed attempts will show up in records.

Despite this, some services offered by online proctoring companies aren’t always accurate; while Level 3 claims “99.5% Accuracy,” sometimes they’re wrong which is significant considering it tends to cost more than other levels – how much more inaccurate then must cheaper variants be?

Unless further explained, administrators and instructors might think ProctorTrack catches 99.5% of cheaters which could lead to them relying on monitoring reports without verifying them through vigorous reviews and cause misidentifying or accusing innocent students in reality.

To help if accused of cheating during a ProctorTrack examination:

1) Understand your situation by asking questions instead of making statements.
2) Know the platform, find which proctoring platform the school is using.
3) Understand the evidence, inquire about what kind and amount of information school administrators may have access to as it varies by institution. This includes knowing configuration parameters and any distinct criteria individual students may be subject to that could factor into any allegations against them.
4) Acknowledge your rights, ask for a copy of evidence against you and demand due processes like that which will come with a hearing.
5) Get help from an attorney-advisor who can provide invaluable assistance throughout this process.

To ensure fair proceedings and receive an avid defense, consider contacting Todd Spodek at the Spodek Law Group through their hotline: 212-300-5196.