This article outlines the workflow for creating and delivering Time Constrained Assessments (TCAs) in Inspera. It also sets out recommendations for how these TCAs are set up depending on whether they are open or closed book assessments; closed book assessments are those to be undertaken under invigilated conditions.
This is a high level article that outlines the workflow that needs to be followed, additional detail is provided through supporting articles, on the Teaching Knowledge Base and/or the Inspera Help Centre, which are linked at the appropriate points.
Open or Closed Book Assessments
Use of Safe Exam Browser
Scheduling assessments to run using the Safe Exam Browser (SEB) will mean that the students computers are locked during the duration of the test. SEB is installed on computers in PC labs across the University. It is recommended that closed book exams requiring the use of SEB are only run on campus under invigilated conditions.
Preparing and scheduling the assessment
The workflow for preparing and scheduling the assessment is outlined in this article on the Teaching Knowledge Base – https://teach.coventry.domains/articles/workflow-for-creating-and-delivering-a-quiz-or-tca-in-inspera/
Adding students to the assessment
The assessments should be set up using the Aula-Inspera integration in the Assessment Block in Aula. It is recognised that some students may have issues with accessing the test. For tests run under closed book conditions it is recommended that some one time user accounts are added to the test, to be used with students who are unable to log on . It is essential that the details of which one time user account is used for which student are accurately recorded.
Guidance on setting up one-time user accounts is available from https://support.inspera.com/hc/en-us/articles/360031106332-Candidate-setup
Monitoring students during the test
The Monitor role in Inspera provides an overview of students progress and status in using Inspera and as they progress through specific assessments. Access to the Monitor module is available to those with Planner, Chief Invigilator, Invigilator or Grader roles. Through the Monitor role you can also give students additional time should that be required.
An overview of the Monitor role is provided in this article – https://teach.coventry.domains/articles/introducing-the-monitor-role/
Guidance on giving students additional time is available in this article – https://teach.coventry.domains/articles/giving-students-extra-time-in-inspera/
Checking whether students have submitted before they exit the assessment venue
Through the Monitor role you will be able to check whether all students have submitted their assessment. If running a test under closed book conditions you must check students have submitted before they leave the room, should they ask to leave early.
If a student exits the browser before submitting the test their submission will be stored on Inspera but will not be visible in the Grade module. If this scenario is noted within the time window for the test then it is possible to ask the student to log back in and submit. This may require opening the test for that student for resubmission, see https://support.inspera.com/hc/en-us/articles/360047371951-Open-for-resubmission If this scenario is identified after the test window has closed it is possible to submit on behalf of the student. How to do this is explained in the article, if there are any queries then please contact learningenhance@coventry.ac.uk
Preparing your students
Given the time limited nature of these assessments it is essential that students have been provided with practice opportunities before the summative assessment. This will help ensure that the students are familiar with accessing University systems and Inspera. It will also help identify any students that have any access issues.
Setting up PC labs for closed book assessments
It is likely that not all PCs in the labs will be available to use for the assessment, computers may not be working or the SEB may not load. In addition issues may be encountered during the test which may require students being moved to a different computer. When setting up rooms for assessments it is important that a small number of computers are kept free for such contingency purposes.
If issues are encountered during a test it is possible to move the student to a different computer. All the work they will have submitted will be saved on Inspera and they will be able to pick up where they left. You may want to provide the students some additional time to account for the time taken to move to another computer (see Monitor role above).
Accessing support during the test
If you have any issues during a test then please contact learningenhance@coventry.ac.uk
It is recommended that you alert the Education Technologists when your test is running so they are aware that potential queries could be received during that time window. Please provide them with the URL of the test to help facilitate access.
