Students concerned about anti-cheat software: “ adds extra stress ”

With so-called monitoring software, students can watch exams through webcam, microphone, or web browser.

Of LSVb a ride in 21 educational establishments. The student union states that many incidents have occurred as a result of using the software. For example, the exams of hundreds of students were falsely tagged as suspect because anti-cheat software picked them up. This happened at the universities of Wageningen, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

In addition, diplomas were declared invalid at Erasmus University Rotterdam last September when online monitoring revealed hiccups during exams. At Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, journalists easily managed to take an online exam, which allowed them to watch dozens of students.

‘Experiencing excessive stress’

“It is high time that the use of supervision became the exception rather than the rule. There are countless other possible forms of examination. Students are now doubly victims of this crisis because, in addition to this exceptional situation, they are also under undue stress doing their exams, ”says LSVb president Lyle Muns.

“More and more students are indicating that they are also very tense and nervous about how their surveillance works. Does their internet work and are there no external incentives that could This continued suspicion is particularly important. Muns said the LSVb finds it “unjustifiable” that a review could be declared invalid later due to something like an intermittent Internet connection.

Alternatives

The LSVb calls on educational institutions to stop using supervision and start working on other forms of exams. According to Muns, six major educational institutions that do not use the anti-cheat software prove that alternatives are very possible. “From open book tests and essays to physical exams where students have to take a quick test beforehand,” says Muns.