Does Apex Learning Detect Cheating?

Undoubtedly, technological advancements have influenced the manner in which school learning takes place in the recent past. Today, educational institutions can comfortably offer their students quality education without the need for learners to attend school physically.

This has been made possible by the numerous digital learning platforms that enable virtual learning, online revision, and undertaking of tests virtually. One such platform is Apex Learning.

Nevertheless, many education stakeholders argue that digital learning platforms like Apex Learning promote unhealthy practices such as cheating. Therefore, this article commits itself to answering crucial questions like; does Apex Learning detect cheating?

Does Apex Learning Detect Cheating?

Apex Learning does detect when students try to cheat on the platform. It is worth noting that this platform is pretty attentive and mindful of academic integrity. Therefore, the site attempts to prevent academic dishonesty such as cheating on tests and plagiarism by employing various techniques.

The Apex Learning Virtual School (AVLS) offers its users proctored closed-book tests to detect and prevent cheating. This program provides a platform where course instructors can effectively monitor their students during online tests.

In addition, in the absence of such human proctors, Apex Learning employs a natural proctoring program to invigilate students whenever they sit for online tests remotely.

AVLS deters students undertaking a virtual test from copying answers from other web browsers and pasting those answers on the test while it is still ongoing. It does so by disabling the copy/paste shortcut. Therefore, when any student tries to copy a particular answer from an online source and paste the answer on the test, this platform will undoubtedly detect that action.

Moreover, Apex Learning deters any concurrent access to its online tests. This means a student cannot log in to undertake the test on two different computers. Therefore, the platform can effectively detect when an unauthorized party tries to access the test on behalf of a student.

How to Cheat Apex Learning

Although unethical, cheating on Apex Learning is possible. Below are several techniques you can use and cheat through this platform.

Hire a Professional Test Taker

One of the most influential and popular techniques students employ, this cheating method is made possible through impersonation. Since you cannot log into the test using two computers, you can hire a professional test taker and share with them your login details.

The third-party logs into the Apex Learning test, posing as you, completes the test, and submits on your behalf without detection. This method is particularly effective when the platform employs natural proctoring. This is because of the absence of a human proctor to detect the impersonator.

You can also log into the test and allow the hired person to undertake the test. This method can only be successful in the absence of a webcam to record your surroundings. After logging in, the professional test taker takes over and submits the test when done.

• Screen Mirroring

This technique involves the use of an HDMI cable to connect your screen to an external screen or projector. However, a close relative or a friend must be present and willing to lend you a hand for you to be successful with this technique.

After logging in to the Apex Learning test, screen mirroring makes it convenient for you to share the contents of your computer screen to the second screen. This makes it possible for the person in the other room to access the exam questions concurrently as you. The person can then browse the internet for the answers and discreetly pass them to you without arousing unnecessary attention.

This technique is one of the most effective to cheat Apex Learning. This is because you can comfortably employ it when there is a human proctor or the platform uses natural proctoring.

• Google the Answers

As earlier mentioned, Apex Learning disables the copy and paste function on your keyboard during a test to detect and deter copying answers from web browsers. However, this is not the only way that you can use to look for solutions on the internet.

This platform does not track the number of tabs you open during the test. Therefore, you can take advantage of this weakness and look up answers online. Since you cannot copy the question, open a new tab and type the question. You can use any learning search engine, including Google, Yahoo Answers, Brainly, or Quora. After getting the answer, you will type it on the test, which goes on without Apex Learning detecting.

• Use Technological Devices

As a student, you can use numerous small and sophisticated technological gadgets to cheat an Apex Learning test. All you need to do is sneak them into the test room. If you are undertaking the test remotely, maybe at home, using such devices becomes more effortless.

Some of the tech gadgets you could use include microphones and earpieces, smartwatches, wearables, programmable scientific calculators, smartphones, and Bluetooth gadgets. You can use some of these gadgets to store vital information you might wish to refer to during the test, such as mathematical and scientific formulas and study notes in PDFs.

On the other hand, some of these devices, for example, Bluetooth gadgets, smartphones, microphones, and earpieces, are crucial communication gadgets. You can use them to communicate with a third party to look up particular answers and share them with you through the same devices.

• Old School Cheating Techniques

The old cheating techniques are the most straightforward method to carry out in an Apex Learning test. Such practices include carrying sticky notes to the test, writing short notes on your body parts, and bringing a textbook or a poster with some essential notes into the exam room.

However, these cheating methods may also be the riskiest to implement as the chances of being caught are still pretty high. While using any of them, ensure that you look confident enough to shun away some unnecessary attention and scrutiny from the human proctor.

Conclusion

So, does Apex Learning detect cheating? After reading this article, there is no doubt that Apex Learning is pretty effective in detecting and deterring academic dishonesty by learners. However, this platform still has loopholes that students can take advantage of and cheat on.

It is vital to note that any form of academic dishonesty, including cheating and committing plagiarism, is unethical. Apex Learning is also pretty serious about the issues, such that it collaborates with instructors to punish a student that has been found to infringe its anti-cheating policies.