Watching students taking exams
Sikkom, the Groningen city blog, journalists revealed that outsiders could watch students taking their exams online. After the data leak at Hanze University Groningen had been exposed, exams were postponed.
Via a link they received, the journalists could watch (in Dutch) students take exams in their living rooms. Their names and student numbers were also visible. The telephone images were intended for online invigilators, but the journalists did not have to identify themselves and did not need a password or access code.
In a message published on its website on Sunday, the university offered its ‘sincere apologies’ for the problems with the online surveillance. According to a spokesperson, some exams will be cancelled this week and about 30% have been postponed.
Online invigilation – also known as online proctoring – is a controversial tool, precisely because of the risks it poses to students’ privacy. At the same time, the risk of fraud is greater with online exams. (HOP, Bas Belleman)
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