I had mentioned the need for a form of test security whereby once a test is open to students the 'right' click does NOT let them copy or print the test. I was informed of a way to have a test and then have the program select a pre set number of questions from a 'bank' of questions and such. That really is not the resolution I am seeking. I would that it be explored that there is a 'function' in the test menu on the right that the instructor and prevent the use of 'right click' Hope I have explained this satisfactorily. Thanks Donna
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Adam Sentz Donna Lassanske
Disabling right-click in the browser is a bad practice, can be overridden by the user, and doesn't actually prevent the Edit > Copy or File > Print actions either of which can also be accessed via hotkey or the browser's menu.Even if we could prevent all of those methods of copying and printing in the browser, we couldn't stop a user from taking screenshots on their device from outside the browser or from making a screen recording.
Even if we could prevent all screenshots/screen recordings on the device they are using to take the test, we really, really couldn't stop them from taking photos or videos with their smartphone.
If you are looking for a passive, software-based solution to test copying having the test be unique for each user isn't a bad place to start. Otherwise, if you want to combat this in any form, you may want to look into using test proctors.
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Donna Lassanske Hi Adam, I see your point, I happen to know that this feature can be done. Its an 'on' 'off' that the instructor is able to choose when a test is ready for testing use. Right click is disabled in the 'on' choice and the then the 'off' selection allows the instructor to print etc.. I really would like this to be investigated. I do proctor in my class when the students are present. The problem is more concerning for online students who are taking tests in populi. Can't proctor those as well. Thanks for considering. Looking forward for some resolution. Donna
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Adam Sentz Donna Lassanske - Yes, it is possible with JavaScript to change the default right-click behavior. JavaScript executes client-side, that is to say, on the end-user's (the test taker's) computer. The end-user can simply momentarily disable JavaScript and use the default right-click behavior. There are actually browser extensions available specifically to get around right-clicks being disabled this way that simplify this process.
"Disabling" right-clicks this way would not disable hotkeys that provide the same functionality, so you have to also use JavaScript to modify the relevant hotkeys which vary by platform (Windows/macOS) and can be overridden/reassigned locally by the end-user rendering this moot.
Even if you do everything you can do to prevent right-clicks, and hotkeys with JavaScript - all of which is easily circumvented by the end-user, there is absolutely no way to prevent the end-user from using menu items like Edit > Copy, or File > Save As... to save the HTML of the test to their device.
Furthermore, altering default browser behavior in this way is not an acceptable practice from an accessibility standpoint.
Someone may be telling you different, but I'd encourage you to do your own research into the efficacy of this practice and how it may impact accessibility. A quick web search on how to get around blocked right-clicks, copy/paste might be pretty illuminating. -
Information Technology Donna, if you want to look into it there is the option of the SafeExam Browser. It's meant to be more thorough than simply preventing right-clicks and claims it can work with any online based exam as it's just a browser with some specific functionality changed or removed.
I admin I am suggesting this from ignorance though, as I have never used it myself, but before we moved over to Populi I was looking into the built-in SEB compatible quiz mode in Moodle specifically for our placement exams.
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Jason Van Vliet Adam Sentz - Can you please comment on whether SafeExam Browser is compatible with Populi? Would it already work with the current version of Populi? Or, if modifications are needed to Populi, is it quite a lot of work to integrate with SafeExam Browser? It would be helpful for us to know whether this is a viable option for remote proctoring. Thanks!
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Adam Sentz Jason Van Vliet - I don't know if SafeExam is compatible or not, but we have an integration with Proctorio that's pretty close to being ready. We're just finishing up testing it.
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Information Technology Sorry, chiming in one last time then I'll shut up. I took the morning to look into it deeper. SEB is "compatible" only in the sense that it's a browser and can be used as a browser to access a website and follow links. But in my opinion I don't think it's useful with Populi. Compatible, but not useful.
The way it looks like SEB works is you provide a config file or launch link that a student clicks to start the SEB browser (this can be presented on any website). The config file lists the URL that SEB is supposed to open into, which takes you directly to the quiz, as well as listing the things that are blocked or restricted.
The problem I have is that, from what I can tell, there is no good way to force students from Populi to use SEB to take a quiz. Which defeats the whole purpose. Populi at minimum would need to be able to create a hidden quiz only available from a dedicated link that SEB could be configured to open and that still wouldn't be a guaranteed roadblock.
Anything else I can think of just starts getting needlessly complex and easily bypassed. Or is limited to the iOS version. This is why a plugin for Moodle was made to create a dedicated quiz type for SEB.
SEB definitely seems geared more toward "free" and "open-source" DIY IT offices to setup.
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Adam Sentz Information Technology - Thanks for taking the time to check into that and sharing here.
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