Technology for Teaching and Exams

Laptops for in-class testing

Many, but not all, UGA students own a laptop. If you are planning to conduct in-classroom quizzes, exams, or exercises that require students to have a laptop, here are some considerations.
 

Limitations on access to laptops

The UGA Libraries and Miller Learning Center continues to expand the number of laptops we lend to students but we cannot guarantee availability on a specific date or at a specific time. Requests are first come, first serve. 

Chromebooks do not support Respondus Monitor. Respondus Lockdown Browser (LDB) should work if students access it through vLab but at this time LDB is not functional for Chromebooks from the version of the software downloaded from EITS.

Not all students own a laptop. Sometimes students own a laptop but theirs is in repair. 

Students who are intended to departments that have a laptop requirement may be waiting until they are accepted to purchase a new laptop. If they do own a laptop, it might be a different platform and specifications than what your program requires. This is particularly a consideration if you teach prerequisite classes. 
 

Alternative accommodations for students without laptops

Provide information for students to contact you if they do not have a laptop or if they have a Chromebook.

Consider using Respondus LockDown Browser without Respondus Monitor. There is a way to turn off the Respondus Monitor requirement at the student-level.

Do you have the resources to offer an alternative testing time and/or location? 

• There might be a computer lab available to you in your department for testing during your class time or at another time.
• With at least three weeks of notice the MLC may be able to provide a testing location with up to 5 laptops in a lab space. (Subject to room availability.) We do not provide proctoring. Email MLC Director Kathleen Kern at Kathleen.Kern@uga.edu 
• Is there an alternative testing method, such as a paper test, that you can offer to students? 
• The Center for Teaching and Learning is available for consultations about assessment strategies that support your course objectives while also accommodating students’ possible technology limitations. To request a consultation: https://ctl.uga.edu/contact/

Not having a laptop can be embarrassing for students. It is preferable that alternate accommodations are not obvious to other students in the class. One way to achieve this is to offer the alternate testing to any student in your class regardless of access to a laptop. It may be helpful to discuss alternative testing options (paper test in class, alternate time/location, etc.) with the student.
 

Expanding access to student laptops

Kathleen Kern, Miller Learning Center Director, would like to talk to faculty that are holding tests in their courses to assess the needs for availability of student laptops. Kathleen.kern@uga.edu