How can instructors mitigate academic dishonesty in online assessments?

Using proctoring software and establishing clear integrity policies is an effective way for instructors to mitigate academic dishonesty in online assessments because these measures create a controlled testing environment that discourages cheating. Proctoring software can monitor students during the assessment, using tools such as webcams, screen recordings, and keystroke analysis to detect suspicious behavior. This adds a layer of accountability and deters students from attempting dishonest practices.

In addition to technical monitoring, clear integrity policies set expectations regarding academic honesty and inform students about the consequences of dishonest behavior. By communicating these policies effectively, instructors can foster a culture of integrity and discourage students from engaging in unethical practices. Together, these approaches create a comprehensive strategy to uphold academic standards and ensure the legitimacy of online assessments.

The other options, while they may contribute to the overall educational experience, do not provide the same level of rigor in preventing dishonesty. Open-book assessments and handwritten submissions can still be susceptible to misconduct if not properly supervised. Limiting time for assessments may create pressure that could lead to unethical behavior as students might feel rushed. Thus, relying on proctoring software and integrity policies is a more robust approach to addressing the issue of academic dishonesty.