Engageli classrooms can be used to facilitate proctoring with just a few adjustments. This guide explains key settings and best practices to ensure a secure testing environment.
These adjustments can be applied from within a live classroom or done ahead of time from the Admin Portal. This flexibility allows Instructors to transition a normal class session into a test-taking one or to create a standalone classroom specifically for proctoring.
In this article, we'll outline the steps to transition a normal class session to one used for proctoring, since this is a common scenario:
- Lock table seating - This will ensure that learners don't constantly move around during the exam. Table seating can be locked by selecting "Lock tables" from the "Seating arrangement" dropdown near the top of the screen. We've provided an image below of the "Lock tables" option.
- Set maximum seats per table to 1 - Although locking tables ensures learners cannot move from their current seat, Engageli will automatically assign learners who join the class to the first open seat; this could result in late arrivals being assigned to occupied tables if there are still open seats. Keeping seats per table to 1 ensures this does not happen. From within the "Settings" > "Class Configuration" menu, set the "Maximum number of seats per table" value to 1, as shown in the following image. Remember to hit "Save" to apply the change.
- Randomize table seating to 1 learner per table - With tables now locked and table seat sizes set to 1, you'll want to randomize table seating to 1 learner per table. This ensures any tables that had multiple learners at them prior to reducing table size will be distributed. To do this, select "Seating arrangement" > "Create random seating arrangement" > Set "learners per table" to 1 > Click "Save". Below is a screenshot of the random seating arrangement pop-up menu, where you can set the "learners per table" value:
- Restrict chatting to staff only - To prevent learners from communicating with one another via Chat, you'll need to apply chat restrictions. From the Chat panel, look for the 3-dots menu and click it, then enable the "Chat to staff only" option. This will restrict learners to only being able to chat with staff members. We've provided a screenshot below of where to find the "Chat to staff only" option.
- Disable the Q&A feature - Similar to chat restrictions, we'll need to disable the classroom's Q&A feature. Go to "Settings" > "Class Configuration" > "Disable Q&A" and enable the restriction, as shown below. Remember to hit "Save" to apply the change.
- Set the class to Table Mode - Setting the classroom to Table Mode will help ensure learners are not able to see or hear one another, as they'll each be alone at their own table at this point.
- Instruct learners to share their screens with their table - The last step is to instruct learners to begin sharing their screens with their table. This is done via the "Present" button that learners will see from their end, from the bottom-center menu bar. This article provides guidance on sharing your screen as a learner. Having learners share their screens ensures you can see what they are working on as you peek at tables during the exam.
Depending on your organization's policies for proctoring, you may need to make additional adjustments. Below, we've included some additional settings you can consider:
- Disable emoji and sound reactions - These can each be disabled by clicking the "React" button at the bottom-center menu to open the reaction menu. The "Reactions" tab will contain a switch for disabling/enabling emoji reactions. The "Sounds" tab contains the same type of switch for sound reactions. Below is an image of the "Reactions" tab's enabling/disable switch.
- Disable raise hands - Disabling the "raise hand" feature will prevent learners from getting up on the podium and potentially disrupting class during the exam. This setting can be disabled by clicking on the 3-dots menu at the bottom-right of your screen and selecting the "Disable raised hands" option, as shown below:
If you have any questions, please contact Support.