Can ALEKS Detect Switching Tabs?

Can ALEKS Detect Switching Tabs: If you’ve taken an ALEKS online exam or quiz, you may wonder how closely the system monitors your activity during the session.

One common question is whether ALEKS can detect if students switch browser tabs while taking an assessment.

This article will explain ALEKS’ monitoring capabilities and provide a clear answer about tab switching detection. We’ll also define any technical terms and give examples for easy understanding. By the end, you’ll know exactly what ALEKS can and can’t see during an exam.

What is ALEKS?

To start, it’s helpful to understand the basics of ALEKS, which stands for Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces.

ALEKS is an artificial intelligence-based adaptive learning platform primarily used for math, science and business courses. It assesses students’ knowledge and then individualizes an instructional experience based on identified strengths and weaknesses.

ALEKS uses an algorithmic approach called knowledge space theory to map out topic dependencies and determine a user’s current understanding.

As student’s complete assessments, ALEKS updates its model of each user’s knowledge state. This allows it to best target instruction to knowledge gaps. ALEKS can assign individualized problem sets, learning modules and assessments for students to complete.

In terms of monitoring, during an ALEKS assessment the platform tracks and records student responses, submission times, and login/logout details.

This data feeds back into updating the user’s knowledge state. But can ALEKS detect if students switch between tabs during a quiz or exam? Let’s explore further.

What ALEKS Can Detect

ALEKS does have some capabilities to detect potential issues during an assessment:

• Timing – It tracks how long a student has been logged into ALEKS as well as time spent on each question. Significant delays that don’t fit response patterns could flag attention lapses.
• Internet Connectivity – Any dropped connections or interruptions due to network issues are logged by ALEKS. Extended offline periods raise flags.
• Multiple Logins – Simultaneous logins from different locations using the same student account would be flagged as suspicious activity.
• Inactivity – If ALEKS detects no interaction or response submitted for a long stretch, it may pause the exam until activity resumes.

However, ALEKS does not actively monitor other open programs, tabs, or applications during an assessment session. It solely analyzes the activity within its own assessment interface window.

What ALEKS Cannot Detect

Here are some key points about what ALEKS lacks the capability to detect:

• Tab Switching – Simply put, ALEKS has no way to see what browser tabs or programs a student switches between during their session.
• Screen Monitoring – ALEKS does not have access to actually see or record a user’s screen. It cannot view other visible applications.
• Copy/Paste – ALEKS cannot detect if information is copied from other sources like open webpages or documents when switching tabs.
• Secondary Devices – Simultaneous use of other devices like phones during an assessment would not be viewable to ALEKS.
• Application Hiding – If a student minimized other tabs/programs so they were not actively visible, ALEKS would have no awareness.

So while ALEKS tracks in-system activity closely, it does not have permissions or functions to monitor a student’s overall device activity or multi-tasking outside of its own interface window during an assessment. Tab switching alone cannot be detected.

However, schools and instructors often have clear policies about academic integrity during online testing that go beyond just ALEKS’ detection capabilities. Let’s explore some examples.

Academic Integrity Policies

While ALEKS does not detect specific multi-tasking behaviors itself, educational institutions still enforce academic honesty through policy:

• No Other Resources – Students are not permitted to access other internet tabs, devices, books, or notes during a high-stakes quiz or exam unless specified.
• Closed-Book Policy – Many tests in ALEKS and elsewhere mandate having no additional aids or resources besides the assessment itself.
• Limited Timeframes – Stricter exams may only allow the assessment window/tab to be open while timed restrictions are in place.
• No Collaboration – Working with others or sharing information during an individual assessment goes against standards of independent work.
• Consequences for Misconduct – Schools can fail, suspend or expel students for confirmed cheating like copying answers or getting unauthorized help.

So in summary – ALEKS does closely monitor activity within its own interface, but has blind spots regarding wider device use. Academic integrity depends more on following proctoring expectations and guidelines than any technical detection alone. Honest independent work is expected either way.

Additional Monitoring Options

While tab switching itself can’t be identified by ALEKS, some schools and instructors do supplement its default monitoring with other integrity assurance tools:

• Proctoring Software – Some use third-party applications like Respondus LockDown Browser + Monitor to give remote proctors camera/mic access and full screen lockdown during tests.
• Login Verification – Require students to briefly turn on cameras at login/logout of online exams for ID authentication by a zoom assistant or automated system.
• Machine Learning – A few platforms apply AI to detect testing anomalies like answer pattern changes or unusual keystroke/mouse patterns that may signal cheating.
• Random Sample Reviews – Instructors can manually spot check a portion of recordings and assessments to scan for potential incidents of dishonesty after the fact.

So in rigorous high-stakes environments, additional authorized tools may actively surveil screens and prevent tab switching. But for most standard classroom assessments, self-monitoring and honor system expectations still apply primarily.

Best Practices for Academic Honesty

To maximize integrity when working in ALEKS, here are some wise precautions students can take:

• Only log into ALEKS using the assessment web address provided (avoid unauthorized materials).
• Close all other applications, browser tabs and secondary screens before starting.
• Work solely within the ALEKS assessment window/tab during allotted timeframes.
• Instead of rushing, take breaks between sections if needed rather than risk multi-tasking.
• Assume instructors could audit responses even if technical detection isn’t guaranteed.
• Consult academic honesty policies beforehand and avoid any gray areas risking violation.
• Contact instructors directly in advance if you require special accommodations during online testing.

With diligent independent work habits and consideration of institutional guidelines, students can confidently complete ALEKS assessments and feel at ease knowing they upheld standards of trustworthiness and integrity through personal commitment rather than technical monitoring alone.

Conclusion on Can ALEKS Detect Switching Tabs

In summary, while ALEKS tracks activity closely within its own assessment interface, it does not have the functional ability to actively detect student tab switching or wider device multi-tasking during an exam.

However, academic integrity depends much more on willingly following explicit proctoring expectations and honor code guidelines set by educational institutions.

Additional authorized monitoring tools may also actively surveil online testing environments in strict, high-stakes scenarios.

With independent and honest work practices, students can maximize academic achievement through assessments like those in ALEKS while maintaining integrity. Overall situation awareness and personal responsibility matter most.

READ MORE: Can ALEKS Detect Switching Tabs