Blackboard quizzes are usually better thought of as analogous to homework than to an in-class test. Unless you are giving a blackboard quiz in a proctored computer lab (very unusual), you need to assume that any blackboard quiz is un-proctored, and essentially open book / open note / open cell phone, with no real assurance that the student who appears on the test was the one who actually took it. That’s not always a show-stopper. Some things you can do:
- Make your expectations clear to students. If collaboration is allowed, say so.
- Use multiple types of assessment so that cheating in one venue doesn’t affect all assessments in the course.
- Use randomization. Construct question pools and set blackboard to randomly select questions from the pool so each student has a different quiz. However, randomization can increase the probability of technical problems, so always combine randomization with disabling Force Completion.
- Set a time limit on the exam. Students who exceed the time limit can still submit it, but will get a needs grading icon and you can decide whether to accept their work.
- When students complete an exam, they see types of feedback you specify. For high-stakes assessments, consider giving only their score, and not the correct answers. Then after the quiz is due you can change the setting to display everything, which they will be able to see in View Grades.
Other non-cheating advice to consider as you design your syllabus:
- Add a link in your Blackboard site to this helpful “Taking tests in Blackboard” pdf, and encourage students to read this before their first online quiz.
- Create incentives for students to solve their problems for themselves. What about a bit of extra credit for students who don’t need help dealing with your Blackboard quiz?
- Schedule tests with a reasonable test-taking window, preferably not due on Sunday. If the test is due Friday then a student who has technical problems is more likely to be able to get help during normal business hours.
- Offer a practice Blackboard test early in the term, to help students become familiar with the technology.
- Consider offering several tests and setting the grade center to drop the lowest grade. Do so by putting each test in the same category (perhaps Quiz ), and then in the Total column including the category rather than the individual quizzes; when you include a category in a total you have additional options.