eClass Support
Security Features for Delivering eClass Quizzes
Last modified on 05 July 2023 03:13 PM

Security features for online exams are important to ensure quiz integrity. eClass offers a range of features that provide varying levels of security which meet different needs. Most of the features listed below can be used in combination. In addition to these options, any high-stakes summative testing scenarios (midterms and finals) should also include some form of proctoring, especially in campus labs.

Setting a Password

To protect quiz activities with a password, go to your quiz settings under Extra Restrictions on attempts, and specify Require password.

Toggling the eyeball with hide or show the password to you so you can check if the supplied password is correct.

Instructors must communicate this password to students so that they can enter it before doing their quiz.

Honesty Checking

This option requires quiz takers to acknowledge the statement confirming the University of Alberta's academic integrity standards. This setting is located in the quiz settings under Extra Restrictions on attempts, after clicking on 'Show more...' to expand the number of options.

Quiz takers will see the following before beginning their attempt:

Shuffling Questions and Answer Order

Randomizing the order of questions and answers is common way make it difficult for students to share their answers with each other. It is possible to randomize the questions as they appear, but it is also possible to randomize response order of answers per question (if applicable for the question type, i.e. multiple choice, matching...). To do this:

  • If the quiz settings, under 'Question behaviour', toggle Shuffle within questions to Yes:



  • When you edit the question from the Question Bank, ensure that the box is checked for Shuffle the choices:



  • Note: Multiple-choice questions are set to Shuffle the choices by default. This should be unchecked for questions that require answers to be in a specific order. i.e. if the last response option is "All of the above", etc.

Shuffling the overall question order can be accomplished by checking Shuffle box at the top of the 'Edit quiz' page. This option is also available for any sub-sections of a quiz:

Randomizing Questions

Questions in a quiz can be drawn from a collection (by category or tags). This functionality requires that questions have already been constructed and grouped into categories (or have been tagged) in the course questions bank (see Using the Question Bank.)

To add random questions, go to the 'Edit quiz' page and click Add > a random question:

In the modal that opens, choose the question bank category and then choose the number of questions that students should receive using the dropdown:

After saving, the 'edit quiz' view will show a dice icon indicating a random question, along with the name of the category where the question comes from, as well as a link for you to see all possible questions from that category:

Note: This does not guarantee that every student will receive the same questions.

Limiting Access to Quizzes

For high stakes exams, and in large classes where students attempt quizzes at different times, it is possible to limit access to a quiz using other options under 'Extra restrictions on attempts':





  • Password: (mentioned above) Instructors can show the password (on whiteboard, etc) in an exam room for students present in the room.
  • IP Address Restriction: If available, the IP address or a range of IP addresses for a computer or a lab room full of computers can be entered to restrict the quiz. Students accessing from any different IP will not be allowed to attempt the quiz. Please note: The changes to campus lab computer infrastructure have changed the existing IP addresses and have changed this functionality. For more information, please contact IST eClass support.

Quiz Delivery

eClass is able to strip away normal functions of a browser and alter the interface so that it restricts students from accessing anything else other than the quiz. This can be configured by expanding the options by clicking Show more... under 'Extra restrictions on attempts' and then setting Browser security to 'Full screen pop-up with some javascript security:

The quiz activity will resemble the screenshot below for quiz takers:

The window can still be re-sized and will function normally and so proctors should advise quiz takers to start full screen and expanded. That way, it will be obvious if a student tries to do anything other than the quiz. The absence of browser navigation will restrict access to other websites.

External Tools

Quizzes can also be delivered using ExamLock, which is a University developed secure exam software to restrict students to only doing the quiz. ExamLock locks test takers in the quiz attempt, monitoring for unusual activity, until the exam taker finalizes and submits their attempt. ExamLock captures a range of activities such as attempting to exit the exam, trying to print, use screen capture, and more. For more information see Using ExamLock to Promote Integrity.

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