Student manual. FAQ and preparation before exam

Transcription

1 Student manual FAQ and preparation before exam

2 FAQ... 3 What is DigiExam and how does it work?... 3 Should I be worried about my integrity when I use DigiExam?... 3 Is it safe to use my own laptop taking an exam?... 3 What types of questions does DigiExam support in the current version?... 3 I have an old computer; can I install and use DigiExam on it?... 4 What happens if Internet access is not available when I want to start or submit an exam?... 4 Is it safe to submit an exam in offline mode using USB? What happens if the USB got lost or defect?... 4 What will it be like in the exam hall?... 4 Get started... 5 System requirements... 5 The DigiExam program... 5 The web account... 5 Step- by- step installation and testing instructions... 6 Mac... 6 Installation notes for Windows users... 6 Testing DigiExam before your first exam... 7 Troubleshooting... 8 I cannot install DigiExam... 8 I cannot open DigiExam... 8 DigiExam doesn t find my exam

3 FAQ What is DigiExam and how does it work? DigiExam is a secure and safe way of digital examination that enables students to use their own laptops during an exam. The program takes temporary control of your laptop during the exam without violating your integrity or changing anything in the operating system. DigiExam saves your answers automatically and continuously both on our servers but also locally on your laptop every ten seconds during an exam. In case of any disturbances (e.g. If your laptop freezes, crashes or similar) your exam can easily be restored without any risk for your answers getting lost. Should I be worried about my integrity when I use DigiExam? DigiExam locks down the student s laptop temporarily during the exam. This occurs without going deep into the operating systems or changing the settings of the computer. DigiExam as a company ensures that the program will not create any back-ups or other log files that are not necessary for the exam settings. Is it safe to use my own laptop taking an exam? Yes, DigiExam auto-saves your answers both on our servers but also locally on your computer disk drive in case of any sudden or unexpected disturbance. This means that your answers can easily be restored if anything happens during the exam. What types of questions does DigiExam support in the current version? DigiExam v 1.0 supports text questions (essay questions), single-choice (only one correct answer) and multiple-choice. In this version you can also draw simple figures using the drawing tool. Drawn figures can be added to your text answers as attachments in the exam. 3

4 I have an old computer; can I install and use DigiExam on it? The only requirement is that the operating system on the computer you intend to use is supported by and compatible with DigiExam and that you have at least 1 GB free hardware space. Please see the system requirements for more information. What happens if Internet access is not available when I want to start or submit an exam? An exam can always be started and submitted with DigiExam, regardless of Internet connection. If the Internet is down when an exam is about to start, DigiExam can be started using an offline file on a USB device. In such a case you will be provided by the exam on a USB device by your monitor/supervisor. The same applies when submitting an exam, i.e. you can also submit the exam in the offline mode using an USB device. During the exam: DigiExam keeps re-connecting to your first choice network automatically during an exam, if you have configured the network settings correctly. Is it safe to submit an exam in offline mode using USB? What happens if the USB got lost or defect? DigiExam s offline mode has a safe two-layered back-up system, which ensures no lost data. DigiExam always saves all exam files locally on the hard drive as an encrypted file. If DigiExam enters offline mode, even though the exams can be saved on USB in first hand, the files can also safely be uploaded later. What will it be like in the exam hall? It will be the same procedures and praxis as usual. You will take the seat assigned to you and you will put your ID on the desk. The only difference is that you bring your laptop and battery charger to the exam hall and use your laptop instead of pen and paper. 4

5 Get started To receive authorization to write the exam with DigiExam you need the following: A compatible computer (see system requirements) Create an account on and install and test the DigiExam software Access to your school s Wi-Fi network System requirements The DigiExam program Mac: OS X 10.7 and higher Windows: Windows XP and higher Administrator right on Windows computer is required. Minimum hard drive space: 1 GB Prohibited programs: You may not use torrent clients or similar programs during an exam. All other programs beside DigiExam must be closed when you write an exam. Running other programs during an exam may slow down your computer and/or consume your hard drive space, which is necessary for DigiExam to save your local exam file. The web account Google Chrome 28 and higher Firefox 22.0 and higher Internet Explorer 10 and higher Safari 6.0 and higher 5

6 Step-by-step installation and testing instructions Downloading DigiExam 1. Enter and create a user account. The address that you register will later be used in the program during the exam. Thus we recommend that you use your school Verify your account using a link that has been sent to your registered e- mail. 3. Sign in to your DigiExam account and download the program. (Mac or Windows) Installing DigiExam Mac The Mac version installs as any other common Mac applications. Make sure you follow the instructions after downloading the program. Installation notes for Windows users 1. Make sure you log in to the administration/ main account on your computer in case you have several accounts (e.g. guest accounts or similar). Notice that DigiExam will not work in any other account types than the main account. 2. Allow the download and the installation of DigiExam if asked in Windows or if your anti-virus program requires it. 3. Please notice that the latest.net package from Microsoft needs to be installed on your laptop in order for DigiExam to work properly. DigiExam installs the latest.net package for you automatically if it is not already installed. In the case of.net installation please be patient, the installation may take a few minutes. 4. DigiExam is ready to use. 6

7 Testing DigiExam before your first exam 1. Open the DigiExam application 2. Enter your credentials in the fields: First and last name Student ID: your unique student ID for the registered school. If you are unsure about your student ID make sure you ask your supervisor. The same address you used when creating your account on 3. Choose Demo exam 4. Start the demo exam in order to test and verify your computer and also get an opportunity to get used to DigiExam. If you would like to take the demo exam several times, just make click on Demo exam as many times as you wish. 5. Please make sure to have a USB device available in case you loose Internet connection during the demo exam. If you don't have Internet when you are trying to submit the exam you will be asked to insert a USB device into your laptop. Follow the instructions in DigiExam if this scenario occurs. 7

8 Troubleshooting I cannot install DigiExam Make sure that: You have downloaded the correct version of DigiExam (Mac or PC) for your computer s operating system. The operating system on your computer is compatible with DigiExam. (See system requirements ) You have Administrator rights on Windows I cannot open DigiExam Make sure that: The operating system on your computer is compatible with DigiExam. (See system requirements ) Mac: Check if you have allowed DigiExam to run on your operating system. (Check your security setting in your Operating System) Windows: Make sure that you install and log into your main /administrator account on Windows, not guest or similar accounts. Make sure you have allowed your antivirus/firewall to run DigiExam. If it still doesn t work please contact your IT-support at school. DigiExam doesn t find my exam Make sure that: You have access to Internet. You have entered you student ID correctly. The exam has started; the exam is not visible until it has started. Ask the monitor/supervisor if you are uncertain. You entered correct exam code if your exam is an open exam 8

9 Student manual Student manual exam situation

10 Writing an exam using DigiExam... 3 Before the exam:... 3 During the exam:... 3 Submission routines:... 4 Different ways of starting and submitting an exams... 5 Different ways of starting an exam:... 5 Different ways of submitting an exam:... 5 Different scenarios that may occur during an exam... 7 The student web-account:

11 Writing an exam using DigiExam Before the exam: Please make sure that: You have installed and tested the latest version of DigiExam on the laptop you intend to use. (Please read student manual-part 1 for detailed instructions.) You have access and authorization to the Wi-Fi provided by your university and you remember your credentials to the Wi-Fi. Contact the IT support at your school in order to get help. You bring your tested laptop and battery charger to the exam hall on the exam day. During the exam: As for all other exams, you take the seat assigned to you in the examination hall. Plug your charger into an available power outlet and make sure your computer is properly charging. In the examination hall you should check the following: 1) That you have access to the school s Wi-Fi, otherwise you will not be able to start the exam online. If the Internet connection is not available, the exam can still be started using offline-mode. (See Offline start ) 2) That all other programs and webpages are closed when entering the examination hall: this is a requirement to ensure a secure exam environment. If you arrive late you will also need to show the monitors that your screen shows the desktop view when entering the examination hall. 3) Make sure you are not running DigiExam in a virtual machine. 4) Double-click on the DigiExam logo and open the program. 5) Sign in to DigiExam program using your name, student ID and your e- mail address. It is very important that you enter a correct student ID; otherwise you will not be able to find and start the exam. 6) Choose between register and open depending on the setting that your supervisor has created for the exam. You will be informed if the exam is open, otherwise you should choose registered. 7) You will be informed by the monitor/supervisor when the exam starts. You will then be able to find and start the exam in DigiExam. 3

12 Submission routines: In the examination hall raise your hand when you would like to submit your exam. It is very important that the monitor/supervisor is present when you submit your exam. Hand-in and exit 1) Press the hand-in button when you would like to submit the exam. The program will ask you twice in order to make sure that the submission does not occur accidently. A confirmation message will appear on your screen. Blank and exit 2) In case your teacher/supervisor allows blank exams, press the cancel exam button if you want to hand in the exam blank. You must confirm this step by writing the phrase I understand. Warning: Once you have canceled the exam the action cannot be undone. Thus make sure you are certain that you wish to blank the exam. A confirmation message will appear on your screen. Please note that you during the exam cannot quit or leave the program. The only way to leave the program is to submit the exam. Remember that you only have one chance to sign in and write the exam; once you have pressed the hand in button/cancel exam the examination is over. 4

13 Different ways of starting and submitting an exam In the following section you can read about different ways of starting and submitting an exam. Regardless of the scenario, DigiExam automatically detects and provides you with the best solution available. DigiExam is not solely dependable on Internet connection and an exam can always be started and submitted. Different ways of starting an exam: 1. Online start If Internet connection is available when the exam is about to start DigiExam automatically finds the correct exam for you, based on your student ID that you have entered. Offline start In cases where Internet connection is not available, when an exam is about to start, the DigiExam program can be started with an offline exam on a USB device. In such a case the monitor/supervisor will provide you with an offline version of the exam using a USB device. Different ways of submitting an exam: 1. Online If Internet connection is available when you are about to submit your exam, you will get a submission receipt directly. DigiExam will automatically find and reconnect to the chosen Wi-Fi during an exam even though the connection goes down temporarily. Please make sure you have correct network configuration. (See Student manual-part 1 ) 5

14 2. Online manual re-connection 3. Offline If DigiExam is not able to find and re-connect to Internet for some reason, the network tool will be presented to you. The network tool enables you to find and connect to a functioning Wi-Fi network without leaving DigiExam. In such a case, choose the network you are authorized to use at your school, enter your credentials to the chosen network and press connect. If DigiExam is not able to find and connect to Internet even when you try the network tool the exam will be submitted in offline mode. This mode has a double back-up system in order to remove any risks of loosing data. USB: When entering offline mode DigiExam will wait for a removable device (e.g. a USB device). The program will detect and save your exam on the device automatically when the proctor/supervisor insert the USB. Late upload : If you submit an exam in offline-mode the next time you start DigiExam, the program asks and tries to submit your exam directly to our servers. Please notice that Late upload is only a secondary back-up routine and it will not replace the original USB submission. Make sure that you do not take any actions before the monitor/supervisor arrives at your place. 6

15 Different scenarios that may occur during an exam DigiExam saves your answers automatically and continuously every ten seconds, both locally on the computer and on our servers. If your computer freezes or something unexpected happens, your exam can easily just be restarted and everything will be restored. Computer freezes or any other disturbance If your computer freezes: 1) Raise your hand immediately and show your frozen screen to the monitor/supervisor. 2) After getting permission from the monitor/supervisor hold down the power button of your computer until it shuts down. Turn on your computer again and start the DigiExam client again. 3) The monitor/supervisor will allow you to re-open the exam. Please notice that without allowance from the monitor/supervisor you will not be able to re-start and restore the exam and your attempts to re-enter the exam will be blocked. Important notice: It is very important that you inform the monitors immediately if anything happens and if the program is forced to restart. The teachers and monitors have the right to deny a student to continue an exam if the student has not informed the monitors immediately. Computer crash: In case of a computer crash, you may continue your exam from another computer if available (depends on the policy and infrastructure of your university) or continue as a traditional paper exam. If you provides with a computer you just need to sign in to DigiExam from the new computer with your exact credentials and you will continue your exam from where you left it. 7

16 The student web-account: Your account on enables you to see all your graded and published exams in all courses at one place. Just sign in to your account and if the result of a DigiExam is published by your teacher/supervisor you will be able to see it. Depending on the grading settings that your teacher creates you can see: The result of the exam Individual results and points for every question Complementary comments on your answer Please notice that your graded exams only will be visible if your teacher/supervisor choose to publish the results on DigiExam. Otherwise your results will be reported to you in a different way. 8