Honorlock Remains UW’s Virtual Proctoring Service

After a review of available virtual proctoring tools, the University of Wyoming will continue to use Honorlock across all course delivery methods when it is necessary.

Faculty should be judicious when using the tool to ensure the university can continue to pay this cost rather than passing it on to students -- and should add language to course syllabi informing students of virtual proctoring expectations. 

To Use or Not to Use, Honorlock -- Faculty Guidance 

Virtual proctoring introduces technical implications, student effort and additional costs and, thus, the tool should be used on a limited basis. Proctoring should not be necessary on formative assessments, low-stakes assessments or assessments that can be designed to put up meaningful barriers to cheating. In most courses, it will not be necessary at all. However, other assessments and courses will require use of Honorlock, and that use is at the discretion of each faculty member.

Numerous strategies are possible to decrease academic dishonesty on assessments without the need for proctoring, and the Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning is ready to assist any faculty members hoping to implement these ideas into their courses. 

Training and Support for Faculty and Students 

To get started scheduling and accessing Honorlock, faculty should learn how to use Honorlock within Canvas, and students should get acclimated to the tool. Honorlock also has provided detailed tutorials for faculty and students along with hardware requirements.

-- For additional support, email or chat with Honorlock or call (844) 243-2500.

-- For instructional design support with virtual proctoring or assessment creation that does not require proctoring, email the Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning.

-- For UW technical support, email or call the IT Help Desk at (307) 766-4357.

Student Privacy and Room Scans 

Student privacy is a UW priority, as it is for Honorlock, which was selected, in part, due to its limited integration with user hardware and privacy practices. To learn more, review the Honorlock privacy policy and further analysis about how it preserves student privacy.

Additionally, until now, room scans using Honorlock were not allowable. Through review of the case that caused this limitation, practices by other universities and consultation with Honorlock, UW faculty are now able to use room scans. For further detail, review an analysis of room scans along with best practices when using virtual proctoring.