IDAT was Invited to 2021 NEAS Management Conference

Transformative Journeys in Education

As one of the most professional test providers, IDAT was honoured to be invited to share our experiences and thoughts as how did we transform during the pandemic and maintain access to a large-scale test of academic language proficiency. IDAT CEO, Ms. Heidi Reid together with IDAT Academic Board Member, Dr. Aleksandr Voninski, presented our perspectives on remote proctoring.

The 2021 NEAS Management Conference is focused on Transformative Journeys in Education. The conference theme seeks to explore how as leaders, teachers, practitioners and students in international education we undergo transformation through our intercultural experiences.


IDAT TOPIC: Maintaining Access to a Large-Scale Test of Academic Language Proficiency During the Pandemic – Perspectives on Remote Proctoring


During the session, Ms. Reid and Dr. Voninski presented our experiences relating to administering high stakes English language testing for both Schools and University admissions. Due to the prolonged closure of many test centres around the world during the current health crises, English language testing has had to quickly evolve and find viable testing solutions. The overall improvement in internet bandwidth on and offshore has opened opportunities for secure and reliable remote proctoring options to test candidates’ English language ability from the safety of their own homes. This has enabled admissions teams across Schools, TAFEs and Universities to continue to assess prospective applicants, objectively determine their language and communication skills, as well as safeguard their entry standards by viewing or listening to test-taker speaking and listening test components.


They also presented ETS research conducted across 2020 and released in early 2021 on remote proctoring for higher education entry, as well as IDAT perspectives on remote proctored English tests for Schools’ applicants. They discussed mode comparability for test-centre and at-home versions of English language tests, security considerations for test providers, implications for test validation, addressing fairness and equity, as well addressing privacy concerns of test-takers.


They have raised the question of how technology can positively impact both the test taker and the admissions process. Participants were also invited to consider how we can continue to innovate the English test experience whilst maintaining test quality, access, equity, and secure and reliable outcomes. How remote proctor technology may be applied in English language teaching and continual assessment was also discussed.

IDAT responded and reacted fast at the very early stage of the pandemic. We urged the creation of IDAT Secure 360 Proctoring System. Which means students to take fully-proctored admission and diagnostic test in their homes.  It’s an innovative and secure way of moving forward while the rest of the world is still on pause.


HOW DOES SECURE 360 WORK

Two cameras will monitor the room where the test is being taken. The cameras will be the computer webcam and a mobile phone. Both cameras will record while the student is taking the test, and the IDAT proctor can monitor both cameras at the same time.

Before the test, the IDAT IT team will help to set up the computer and t he mobile phone. The computer webcam will face the student taking the exam. The mobile phone will need to be set up behind the student.

The IDAT IT team will double-check the cameras and the testing system before the student starts the test; both sound and video will be recorded, and the recording will be kept on the server for 3 months.

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