Honorlock + AI Pilot Update: Progress and Support Resources

January 29, 2025 / General NOVA News

As Academic Affairs continues to support ISSC’s spring 2025 Honorlock + AI pilot, we are excited to share that the initiative is progressing smoothly. Both faculty and students are adapting well to this innovative proctoring tool, designed to uphold academic integrity and promote equitable assessments in online learning. While the pilot has been successful overall, some challenges have emerged, primarily due to students not fully following the setup instructions for this technology.

Challenges Observed
The primary feedback we’ve received involves students not completing the necessary setup steps, such as:

  • Running a system check before starting their exam.
  • Allowing browser permissions required for proctoring.
  • Ensuring they are in a quiet, distraction-free environment.

These oversights have occasionally led to confusion and delays, prompting students to reach out to faculty for assistance.

To minimize these challenges, we encourage faculty to:

  • Remind students that Honorlock provides 24/7 support for troubleshooting.
  • Prompt students to test their equipment and environment ahead of their scheduled exams, ensuring they are ready on exam day.

Training and Resources for Faculty
We are committed to ensuring that faculty participating in the Honorlock + AI pilot feel confident and well-supported. Each course in the pilot includes detailed step-by-step instructions for both faculty and students. Additionally, recorded training sessions are available for faculty who wish to:

  • gain a deeper understanding of Honorlock’s features;
  • learn effective troubleshooting strategies;
  • support students in navigating the tool successfully.

Click here to access the recorded training sessions.

Virtual Proctoring Alternatives
Students who prefer not to use NOVA’s online proctoring platforms, Respondus or Honorlock, may arrange for their own proctors, provided they are approved by NOVA. To do so, students must submit a Proctor Request Form. Please note that NOVA does not offer in-person proctoring services, as in-person exams are not a college expectation.

Qualified proctors may include:

  • faculty members from accredited institutions;
  • local university or high school testing centers;
  • certified librarians;
  • military education offices;
  • professional proctors.

The NOVA Proctor Request Form is available in all NOVA Online course syllabi. Faculty should communicate this option to students who opt out of virtual proctoring early in the course to allow sufficient time for proctor vetting and approval.

Feedback
The feedback we’ve received from faculty, deans and students has been incredibly helpful. As we work to refine the process, we encourage you to share any insights or challenges you encounter so we can continue to improve and address them together.

Submitted by:
Cynthia Pascal, AVP of eLearning, CPascal@nvcc.edu