SmarterServices FAQ Page

To better assist you in what to expect from these tools, we’ve compiled some “tips-n-tricks” to keep in mind. 

General Disclaimer: Tools such as SmarterID or SmarterProctoring should not be used as your sole method for investigations. We recommend leaving your current strategies in place and using these tools as a second line of defense for suspicious/ questionable behavior. 

SmarterProctoring (SP)

  • Set up the SP exam with the exact same settings as the exam in Moodle.
  • In your Moodle quiz, do not enable “Full Screen pop-up with some Javascript security” else your students will be unable to complete exam.
  • Remind students to use Google Chrome (it’s mandatory).
  • Make sure their desktop or laptop is up to date. Phones should not be used for such exams.
  • If you expect for students to use webcams or any other requirement relevant to your proctoring settings, inform students of what is required/expected of them in advance.
  • Exam duration cannot exceed 5 hours else it will prompt students for payment.
  • Practice using SP with a practice quiz to help make yourself and students comfortable for exam day. Remember, practice exams should include “[Practice] -“ (no quotes) then the name of the practice test.
  • Students may experience a blank window after clicking portal link
    • Cause: This can occur if a student is clicking on the portal link for the first time or there has been a major Chrome update. The cookies have probably been disabled on the browser.
    • Resolution: Have the student navigate to their Chrome settings or click the “eyeball” icon within the URL bar, and select “Allow Cookies”. Refresh the page and the list of SmarterProctoring test(s) should appear now. 

      Screenshot of the eyeball icon to the right of the URL

  • If needed, create the accommodation for students in both the quiz shell and within the SP settings.
    • If students use a third party application within their browser extensions list, ensure you accommodate them by leaving “Block Other Extensions” unchecked for that specific student. 
    • If students use a third party application installed on their machine, ensure you accommodate them by leaving “Force Full Screen” unchecked for that specific student. 

SmarterID

  • Student will not be asked to authenticate during quizzes. 
  • Students have the choice to authenticate using facial ID or typing authentication. 
  • SmarterID challenges trigger upon entering a course, not after logging into Moodle.
  • SmarterID will allow students to continue, regardless of if they pass/fail the authentication process.
  • The SmarterID link has to be turned on in the course, but students will not be able to access any data.
  • Students are able to authenticate on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
  • Best Practices:
    • Viewing Reports:
      • When viewing the Attendance Report, if you see a student that has no boxes filled in (via the gradient scale), the instructor may want to reach out and verify that the student has been working within the LMS as required.
    • Challenge Scores:
      • Score is less than 5%, was very unlikely to be the student.
      • 40% – 80%, it was likely them but a poor challenge.
      • Anything above 80% match is the student.
    • Analyzing Student Fails:
      • If a student fails a challenge 3 or more times, the instructor may want to reach out and ask if there is a problem with
        the student’s hardware if using facial recognition or learn more about their process when they are challenged to get
        a discussion going.
      • When viewing a failed challenge, a good practice is to look at if the student has used different browsers within their
        challenges.
      • If the student keeps failing the typing challenge, the instructor may want to talk with the student and mention clicking
        the button to authenticate with a webcam during their next challenge.
      • Generally, if you see a student having several 80 and above passing scores and then a low score, and back up to 80 and
        above, generally it is not the student. Trends like this warrant a conversation with the student to see what is occurring.
        These low scores are most likely not the student.
      • When talking with students, mentioning to them that low scores trigger alerts and result in monitoring the student
        more closely, this reminds students that they are being watched and may be the deterrent needed.