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Hi! I am livetweeting this webinar, "LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor: An Introduction to Online Proctoring." I started by downloading GoToMeeting so I could attend the webinar, but felt scared that now my eyeballs will be tracked somehow. Will try to stay sharp. #LockDown
Starts in 5 minutes. So excited! Pupils ready! Also my hair is not gray, it is metallic slate. #LockDown
A recorded voice just told me "the webinar will begin shortly," and I am hopeful that the webinar will be facilitated by a robot overlord. But unlikely. Probably like a robot intern.
The recorded voice keeps repeating this. Over and over. It may be some kind of ploy to trance me so I am unable to agitate. It is 3:01 and still repeating this so either EdTech is in TechFail or else it's Part of The Plan. #LockDown
It is 3:04 and the WEBINAR WILL BEGIN SHORTLY but so far it is beginning VERY LONGLY. #LockDown
IT IS STARTED!! We are in LISTEN ONLY mode. ha ha ha they got my number #LockDown "We have a big session so we likely can't get to all the questions."
I submitted the first one: "Do you think this kind of proctoring undermines trust in the classroom? Does it make it harder to build relationships between students and teachers?" #LockDown
Submitted #2: "Do you think there is any connection between this kind of surveillant software and some of the conversations about policing and race going on in America right now?" #LockDown
I like to start soft like a lullaby. #lockdown
When someone promises "seamless integration" remind them that learning happens IN THE SEAMS. #LockDown
Imagine a world where all learning takes place in a tiny box poked with airholes. Or maybe not airholes. We didn't get into that yet. #lockdown
"With #LockDown browser, the student installs the browser and it will automatically launch when they open the test. Then Respondus monitor launches." You can also have students show an ID for photographing.
The test is in your learning system, they are in #LockDown browser, and they are being recorded. The recordings then go to the instructor.
"This is also very seamless for instructors." #Lockdown
That was a poetic interlude, not part of the #Lockdown webinar.
I think it is clear that MOLLY WAS HIGH during this exam. Can it also tells when the prof is high? #Lockdown
You click on any thumbnail if you want to completely examine every facet of Molly's face at any time. #Lockdown "This is," they repeat, "A CHEATING DETERRENT."
More than 2000 (shameful sheep) institutions use #Lockdown browser, and more than 40 million exams have been proctored.
This does not, they stress, violate FERPA. I wonder why they think we think it would? #LockDown
OMG the last slide literally had this bullet: "PRIVACY BY DESIGN." I do not think Molly agrees as her prof spends 25 minutes clicking through 172 thumbnails of her face. #LockDown
24/7 Live Chat for students is available. #LockDown
Now they are addressing the cost. I think my next blog post will be called "The Full Cost of #LockDown." For the $3,950 first year flat rate cost, I can basically fund a budget for a teaching and learning center (with no accompanying cost to classroom trust or teaching quality).
"A fully-automated solution that provides flexibility." #LockDown
Default: videos are stored for FIVE YEARS. #Lockdown
Oh goodie here come the questions! #LockDown
We have 2 minutes left. #LockDown
First question is about which devices are compatible with #LockDown. Good news! It can used with iPads and a beta on Chromebook. Let's make surveillance portable, folks!
Next question is about whether instructors can watch LIVE or only the recordings. Tough luck, folks, you can't monitor live-- ONLY by video recording. But you could probably crouch in the bushes outside their dorm room if that helps? #LockDown
Is there any concern on scaling this? SHE IS VERY EXCITED BECAUSE NO!!! THERE IS NO LIMIT ON SCALING THIS!!!! YOU CAN LOCKDOWN THE WHOLE WORLD AND ACTUALLY EVEN CANCEL THE WHOLE INTERNET as long as e-commerce still works so you can still pay for #LockDown.
One barrier to scaling might be whether your internet system can handle it. So maybe a better plan really is to TURN OFF INTERNET FOR YOUR STUDENTS and have them submit cuneiform tablets by pony. #LockDown
Last question: who can get Respondus? Answer: I don't know I am not listening to the answer out of protest that they are not answering my questions. #LockDown
"Thank you for joining us. We hope it was helpful and have a great rest of your day!" #Lockdown
Sorry this #Lockdown livetweet wasn't funny, critical, useful, or enlightening. I am grasping at straws. Remote proctoring is a terrible cargo car on a terrible EdTech locomotive traveling in a terrible direction; this thread is like throwing a squirrel on the track to stop it.
FYI, this fundraiser is still open: https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-against-proctorio
