Burhan
Our approach has been to write scripts that do the following:
1) Add users about to take an exam to a group that is part of a firewall policy to prevent internet access except for to the specific sites whilst users are a member of it.
2) To remove rights from existing user areas
3) To remove any disk space limitations or print allocation
4) To create and give rights to a personal exam user area
5) As part of the script to copy into their "exam user area" any example materials required.
6) To remove access to email
Afterwards to we run scripts to restore all the above as part of the after exam process.
We do not consider USB media in the exam setup as we have found it is required for many exams that they have access to the and depend on invigilation to ensure that they are only using appropriate pens.
Some online exams are slightly different (like City and Guilds) as they have their own methods of tracking users. These we login on a generic locked down account that only has options available to run the specific software with its specific internet access settings for that exam system.
Martyn Smith
IT Network Coordinator
The College of West Anglia
Tennyson Avenue
Kings Lynn
Norfolk
PE30 2QW
tel :01553 815325
ddi: 01553 815524
fax: 01553 815394
email: [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: JISC RSC-Eastern Technical [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Burhan Loqueman
Sent: 05 January 2009 10:33
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Online/PC-Based Examinations Suites
My apologies to all if this is an old subject; however we are facing increasing
pressure to provide PC facilities that can be used flexibly for a variety of
requirements including PC-based online examinations as well as normal
learning/teaching activities.
It is my impression at this point in time that the ideal computer environment to
conduct examinations is one that is segregated from the main network (with
either no internet access or access to specific exam sites only), with only the
software that is required for the exams installed. Additionally, in the ideal
world software would be used to lock-out access to removable media and USB
ports.
However, dedicating enough computing resource in this manner is difficult - at
least in our environment.
I have been considering the used of tagged VLAN switch-ports, in combination
with multiple OS partitions, and NIC drivers on PCs capable of tagging
packets - such that when booted in the 'exams' OS partition, only a
segregated 'exams' VLAN is available; and whilst in the 'classroom' partition,
the PC is a able to communicate normally on the network. Thus a single PC
with a reboot can be used in entirely different network/software environments.
If you have five minutes to jot down an email, I'd like to know the approaches
and experiences of my colleagues at other colleges in the region.
Thanks.
Ofsted, the Government`s inspection body for schools and colleges, rates The College of West Anglia as "Outstanding". Read their report on our website: www.col-westanglia.ac.uk
**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error you must take no action based on them - nor must you copy or show them to anyone. Please notify the College of West Anglia on 44 - (0) 1553 815325.
This email contains the views of the sender and may not be representative of the views of The College of West Anglia.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses.
**********************************************************************
|
