Dr. Tulio Sulbaran, a Professor of Construction Management in the Klesse College of Engineering & Integrated Design at UTSA, is a strong advocate for using academic integrity tools like Honorlock. He believes it plays a crucial role in ensuring his construction students:

• Maintain their academic integrity.
• Have a better assessment experience.
• Are prepared to join the construction industry.

Dr. Sulbaran emphasizes the dedication and honesty of UTSA construction students but also recognizes the professor's responsibility in upholding academic integrity. He states, "Not taking action to minimize the students’ opportunities for academic dishonesty is a disservice to our construction program, to all our students, and to all of the companies that need a well-educated workforce."

He further explains the rationale behind using a tool like Honorlock: "If the professors do not put mechanisms in place to prevent dishonesty, even the most honest students might be tempted to cheat, as the wrong way to level the playing field with those very few individuals who cheat. The concept is simple, using Honorlock is similar to putting a Highway Patrol Car on the highway, when we see the Patrol Car we will check our speed and we will comply with the speed limit, if there are enough Highway Patrol Cars on the highway most people will drive from origin to destination complying with the speed limits. Using a proctoring tool like Honorlock consistently throughout the semester will keep the students honest and studying to perform in the quizzes and exams, and therefore, they will be better prepared to join the construction workforce, which certainly values integrity."

Dr. Sulbaran highlights the importance of integrity within the construction industry, noting that it is "extremely valued by the companies' members of the construction professional organizations such as the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the Associated General Contractors (AGC), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the American Subcontractors Association (ASA)." He concludes, "So, if we use tools like Honorlock to prevent the cheating temptation, we are helping our students maintain their high level of honesty, which they already have, and everybody wins!"

Here are some highly recommended best practices for integrating proctoring tool tools like Honorlock into your courses:

Encourage Students to Engage with Tool Resources: To help students become comfortable with the Honorlock environment, encourage them to review Getting Started with Honorlock (Students) and take the HonorPrep Guided Tour. This short, interactive tutorial walks students through the process they will experience when taking an Honorlock-proctored assessment. You can easily direct your students to the HonorPrep Guided Tour by including a link in your Canvas course or announcements. This proactive step can significantly reduce student anxiety and technical difficulties on exam day.

Craft Detailed and Specific Exam Instructions: Clarity is key to ensuring students understand the expectations of their testing environment. In your exam instructions within Canvas, explicitly state what is allowed and not allowed during the assessment. For example:

• "This is a closed-book exam. No textbooks, notes, or external resources are permitted."
• "You are not allowed to have any other individuals present in the room during the exam."
• "The use of additional electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, or secondary computers, is strictly prohibited."
• Clearly outline any permitted materials, such as a specific calculator if applicable.

For more review: How to Make Test Rules for Online Exams (With Examples)

Provide a Low-Stakes or No-Stakes Practice Quiz: Give students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Honorlock software and process in a low-pressure environment. A brief, ungraded quiz using Honorlock allows them to work through any technical issues or anxieties before a high-stakes exam.

Emphasize Using the Same Device for Practice and Exams: Encourage students to use the exact same computer and testing environment they plan to use for their actual exams when taking the practice quiz. This helps identify and resolve any device-specific compatibility issues beforehand.

Actively Utilize the Search & Destroy Feature: Honorlock offers a valuable feature called Search & Destroy, designed to help faculty quickly identify exam questions that may have been compromised. This tool becomes accessible within the Settings or Results section of any Honorlock-connected exam in Canvas after its setup. This tool performs a one-time internet search for exact matches to your exam questions by scanning publicly available online resources for exact or near matches to your exam questions. If a match is found, you will receive a notification, allowing you to take appropriate action to maintain the integrity of your assessment. Regularly utilizing the Search & Destroy feature can be an effective way to proactively address potential breaches of academic integrity. Further guidance is available in the Honorlock Search & Destroy FAQ or by contacting [email protected].

Review Flags and Notifications and Communicate with Students: After students have completed their Honorlock-proctored exams, take the time to review the flags and notifications generated by the system. These indicators can highlight potential instances of academic dishonesty. Following your review, it is crucial to communicate with your students that you have reviewed the proctoring sessions. A simple announcement like, "I have reviewed the Honorlock proctoring sessions for the recent exam," assures students that the process is being monitored and reinforces the importance of academic integrity. For example:

• "Dear Students, I have completed reviewing the recordings from the recent [Exam Name] proctored by Honorlock. In general, the sessions proceeded smoothly. However, I did notice quite a few of you that had books out on your desks till the proctors asked them to be removed. Please follow all instructions for the entirety of the exam from now on. If you have any questions about the exam instructions, please do not hesitate to reach out."

Consider Meeting with Students to Review Proctoring Videos: If you have concerns about a student's exam behavior, consider scheduling a meeting to review the proctored exam video together. This collaborative approach can provide valuable context and facilitate a more productive conversation about academic integrity expectations. For more review: How to Talk to Students Suspected of Cheating

By implementing these best practices and utilizing the resources available through Honorlock, we can collectively foster a culture of academic integrity at UTSA, ensuring a fair and valuable learning experience for all our students. Remember to direct your students to the HonorPrep Guided Tour and to clearly communicate your expectations for all assessments. Your proactive engagement with Honorlock is vital in upholding the academic standards of our university and preparing our students for success in their future endeavors.

For more, review these additional resources: 

• Getting Started with Honorlock (Faculty)
• Sample Syllabus Statement for Honorlock
• Honorlock FAQs
• Getting Started with Honorlock (Students)

For support, email [email protected] or call 210-458-4520.