Managing Proctored Sessions
Proctored sessions allow you to supervise assessments in controlled environments, ensuring assessment integrity and security. Proctors can monitor multiple users taking assessments simultaneously.
Understanding Proctored Sessions
What Are Proctored Sessions?
Proctored sessions are supervised testing environments where:
- A proctor oversees assessment administration
- Users join sessions using enrollment codes
- Sessions can be scheduled for specific times
- All activity is monitored and recorded
When to Use Proctoring
Use proctored sessions for:
- High-stakes assessments
- Certification exams
- State-mandated testing
- Professional development evaluations
- Any assessment requiring supervision
Creating Proctored Sessions
Requires proctor role
Setting Up a Session
- Navigate to Learn → Proctored Sessions
- Click New Session
- Enter session details:
- Session Name - Descriptive name for the session
- Assessment - Select the assessment to proctor
- Proctor - Assign the supervising proctor
- Enrollment Code - Create or auto-generate access code
- Session Date/Time - Schedule when session occurs
- Duration - Maximum time allowed for session
- Configure session settings:
- Auto-enroll - Allow users to join with enrollment code
- Maximum Users - Set participant limit
- Late Entry - Allow joining after start time
- Click Create Session
Session Configuration Options
Enrollment Settings:
- Manual Enrollment - Add specific users to the session
- Auto Enrollment - Users join using enrollment code
- Hybrid - Combine both enrollment methods
Timing Controls:
- Scheduled Start - Session begins at specified time
- Flexible Start - Proctor controls when session begins
- Time Limits - Individual or session-wide time limits
Security Options:
- Browser Lockdown - Restrict browser functionality
- Screen Monitoring - Track user screens during assessment
- Identity Verification - Require ID confirmation
Managing Session Participants
Adding Users to Sessions
Manual Addition:
- Open the proctored session
- Click Add Users
- Select users from your organization
- Choose enrollment options:
- Send email invitations
- Provide enrollment codes
- Set individual time limits
- Click Add Selected Users
Bulk Import:
- Click Import Users
- Download the template file
- Fill in user information
- Upload completed file
- Review and confirm additions
User Status Management
Monitor participant status:
- Invited - User has been added but not joined
- Waiting - User has joined but session not started
- In Session - User is actively taking assessment
- Complete - User has finished assessment
- Disconnected - User lost connection during session
Proctor Dashboard and Controls
Starting a Session
- Navigate to your assigned proctored session
- Review participant list and session settings
- Click Start Session when ready
- Monitor the proctor dashboard for real-time updates
Dashboard Features
Participant Overview:
- Live participant count
- Status of each user (waiting, active, complete)
- Progress indicators for each assessment
- Time remaining for each participant
Session Controls:
- Pause/resume individual participants
- Send messages to all or individual users
- Extend time limits as needed
- Handle technical issues
Monitoring Tools:
- Real-time activity feeds
- Screen sharing views (if enabled)
- Alert notifications for suspicious activity
- Chat communication with participants
Monitoring Test Progress
Real-Time Tracking
The proctor dashboard provides:
- Active Users - Who is currently taking assessments
- Progress Bars - Completion percentage for each user
- Time Tracking - Elapsed and remaining time
- Status Updates - Real-time activity notifications
Assessment Analytics
Monitor key metrics:
- Participation Rate - Users who joined vs. invited
- Completion Rate - Users who finished vs. started
- Average Time - Time taken across all participants
- Score Distribution - Performance overview
Progress Indicators
Track individual progress:
- Questions answered vs. total questions
- Time spent on each section
- Number of attempts per question
- Flagged questions for review
Handling Technical Issues
Common Issues and Solutions
Connection Problems:
- Check user's internet stability
- Refresh browser or restart application
- Switch to backup device if available
- Use phone hotspot as alternative connection
Browser Issues:
- Clear browser cache and cookies
- Disable browser extensions
- Use supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
- Enable required browser permissions
Assessment Access Problems:
- Verify enrollment code accuracy
- Check session status (not expired/cancelled)
- Confirm user permissions and assignments
- Reset user session if needed
Emergency Procedures
System Outage:
- Document affected users and progress
- Pause session for all participants
- Communicate with technical support
- Reschedule session if necessary
- Preserve partial progress data
Individual User Issues:
- Use proctor chat to communicate with user
- Extend time limit if technical delays occurred
- Allow session restart from last saved point
- Document issue for session records
Session Communication
Messaging Features
Broadcast Messages:
- Send announcements to all participants
- Provide time warnings and updates
- Share important instructions during session
Individual Communication:
- Private chat with specific users
- Provide technical support
- Address individual concerns
Communication Best Practices
- Pre-session - Send clear instructions and requirements
- During session - Provide regular time updates
- Technical issues - Respond promptly to user concerns
- Post-session - Confirm completion and next steps
Session Completion and Results
Ending a Session
- Monitor all participants for completion
- Handle any remaining technical issues
- Allow grace time for final submissions
- Click End Session when all participants finish
- Generate session summary report
Results Processing
After session completion:
- Automatic Scoring - Objective questions scored immediately
- Manual Review - Essay questions require proctor scoring
- Result Distribution - Scores sent to participants and administrators
- Certificate Generation - Automated for passing scores
Session Documentation
Maintain records of:
- Participant attendance and completion
- Technical issues encountered
- Time extensions granted
- Communication logs
- Final assessment results
Best Practices for Proctoring
Pre-Session Preparation
- Test Technology - Verify all systems work properly
- Communicate Requirements - Send clear instructions to participants
- Prepare Materials - Have contact information and procedures ready
- Set Expectations - Explain rules and consequences clearly
During Session Management
- Monitor Actively - Stay engaged with dashboard throughout session
- Respond Quickly - Address technical issues promptly
- Document Issues - Keep detailed records of problems
- Maintain Fairness - Apply rules consistently to all participants
Post-Session Follow-up
- Review Results - Check for any anomalies or issues
- Process Appeals - Handle any technical issue claims
- Generate Reports - Document session outcomes
- Improve Processes - Note lessons learned for future sessions
Proctored sessions ensure assessment integrity while providing the flexibility to accommodate various testing scenarios and requirements in your professional development programs.