Stop the implementation of Inspera for distance learning courses.
Stop the implementation of Inspera for distance learning courses.
The Issue
To whom it may concern,
We, the students of the MSc Cyber Security Distance Learning degree offered by the University of London through Coursera, with academic direction from Royal Holloway, would like to formally register our concern for the implementation of the Inspera exam portal in the upcoming March 2024 Assessments.According to an email we received on 8th November 2023, the assessments from March 2024 onwards will be conducted through the Inspera Exam Portal (IEP). The email provided an overview of the assessment process. We are to download the software onto our personal computers, and we should have administrator rights for the computer. The only acceptable operating systems are Windows and MacOS. Additionally, the software may capture data from our device’s webcam and microphone, and the email further notes that “you may be monitored at all times whilst the assessment takes place”.
We believe that this change to examination protocol is sufficiently large to constitute a material change, as defined in clause 8.1.2 of the UoL Student Terms and Conditions. We are seeking confirmation that students may exercise their right to “cancel the Contract and withdraw from the Programme without incurring any further liability for Programme Fees.” We also seek confirmation that the university will refund Programme Fees paid to date.
This email has caused us great concern. We are seeking answers to the following questions in relation to this change in policy.
Monitoring
Our assessments so far have been open-book, with a 24-hour window to finish the assessment. If this is still the case with the IEP, would the software monitor us for 24 hours?
What data protection policies are in place to prevent the capture of data pertaining to other members of our families, friends, and others who have not consented to their recording?
Timetabling
If all students are required to sit the exam at the same time, what provision has been made for students in non-UK time zones?
One of the main reasons we chose this MSc program was the flexibility offered by the University of London and Coursera. A requirement to appear in the exams according to a time fixed by the University, or for a specific uninterrupted duration, will pose a significant challenge for students in different time zones or those with work-related constraints. What provision is the university making available to these students?
Format
If the assessments are still open-book, what is the idea behind using the IEP?
Technical
Inspera assumes that every student has access to a personal computer with administrator rights, a camera, a quiet and private space to write the exam, and a stable internet connection throughout the assessment. What provision has been made for students who do not have these privileged capacities?.
With regards to the use of artificial intelligence by Inspera and other proctoring software, there have been many documented instances of discrimination faced by People of Colour, queer, neurodivergent and disabled people in the hands of AI. What analysis has been done on the impact of this policy change on these disadvantaged groups?
We understand that on some courses, a four-hour window is triggered from the first time the paper is downloaded. We are also aware of failures in the IEP that have had significant impacts on students in previous years, with support being non-existent. What support will be in place for those students who suffer technical failure?
In case of unforeseeable circumstances where there is a loss of footage, will the University consider this an academic offence?
Impact on students
Some students will withdraw from the course based on this significant change in policy. Can you detail what refunds will be made available to these students?
Finally, we believe that the idea of micro-monitoring students is counterintuitive to the values of education. We are here to learn, not to prove how effectively we can memorise ten weeks' worth of facts under a stressful timed situation.Thus, we request the University rethink its decision, and revert to the same 24-hour open-book assessment format for the MSc Cyber Security distance learning assessments.
Sincerely,
Students of the MSc Cyber Security Distance Learning Program
118
The Issue
To whom it may concern,
We, the students of the MSc Cyber Security Distance Learning degree offered by the University of London through Coursera, with academic direction from Royal Holloway, would like to formally register our concern for the implementation of the Inspera exam portal in the upcoming March 2024 Assessments.According to an email we received on 8th November 2023, the assessments from March 2024 onwards will be conducted through the Inspera Exam Portal (IEP). The email provided an overview of the assessment process. We are to download the software onto our personal computers, and we should have administrator rights for the computer. The only acceptable operating systems are Windows and MacOS. Additionally, the software may capture data from our device’s webcam and microphone, and the email further notes that “you may be monitored at all times whilst the assessment takes place”.
We believe that this change to examination protocol is sufficiently large to constitute a material change, as defined in clause 8.1.2 of the UoL Student Terms and Conditions. We are seeking confirmation that students may exercise their right to “cancel the Contract and withdraw from the Programme without incurring any further liability for Programme Fees.” We also seek confirmation that the university will refund Programme Fees paid to date.
This email has caused us great concern. We are seeking answers to the following questions in relation to this change in policy.
Monitoring
Our assessments so far have been open-book, with a 24-hour window to finish the assessment. If this is still the case with the IEP, would the software monitor us for 24 hours?
What data protection policies are in place to prevent the capture of data pertaining to other members of our families, friends, and others who have not consented to their recording?
Timetabling
If all students are required to sit the exam at the same time, what provision has been made for students in non-UK time zones?
One of the main reasons we chose this MSc program was the flexibility offered by the University of London and Coursera. A requirement to appear in the exams according to a time fixed by the University, or for a specific uninterrupted duration, will pose a significant challenge for students in different time zones or those with work-related constraints. What provision is the university making available to these students?
Format
If the assessments are still open-book, what is the idea behind using the IEP?
Technical
Inspera assumes that every student has access to a personal computer with administrator rights, a camera, a quiet and private space to write the exam, and a stable internet connection throughout the assessment. What provision has been made for students who do not have these privileged capacities?.
With regards to the use of artificial intelligence by Inspera and other proctoring software, there have been many documented instances of discrimination faced by People of Colour, queer, neurodivergent and disabled people in the hands of AI. What analysis has been done on the impact of this policy change on these disadvantaged groups?
We understand that on some courses, a four-hour window is triggered from the first time the paper is downloaded. We are also aware of failures in the IEP that have had significant impacts on students in previous years, with support being non-existent. What support will be in place for those students who suffer technical failure?
In case of unforeseeable circumstances where there is a loss of footage, will the University consider this an academic offence?
Impact on students
Some students will withdraw from the course based on this significant change in policy. Can you detail what refunds will be made available to these students?
Finally, we believe that the idea of micro-monitoring students is counterintuitive to the values of education. We are here to learn, not to prove how effectively we can memorise ten weeks' worth of facts under a stressful timed situation.Thus, we request the University rethink its decision, and revert to the same 24-hour open-book assessment format for the MSc Cyber Security distance learning assessments.
Sincerely,
Students of the MSc Cyber Security Distance Learning Program
118
Petition created on 15 November 2023