As midterm evaluations continue this week, the instructional technology team reminds faculty about the challenges of using Force Complete for assessments distributed through Blackboard.

When originally developed, Force Complete was intended to prevent students from navigating away from an assessment to minimize cheating. When the students left an assessment, Blackboard would submit whatever answers had been completed. However, if students encountered technical issues, such as losing an internet connection while on wi-fi or clicking too quickly through assessment questions, the test engine would consider that to be an attempt to leave the assessment -- even if it was a technical problem. If students are locked out of their assessments, the TSC and DoIT staff will NOT reset a student's assessment attempt. Students MUST contact the instructor of record to allow them to start over with a new attempt.

Since Force Complete has the potential to cause numerous frustrations for students and faculty alike, we recommend four strategies:

1. Only use Force Complete in an on-campus, hardwired and proctored environment so that any technical issues can be immediately addressed by the instructor or proctor.
2. Use the Set Timer and Auto Submit options. For example, if a student loses his internet connection for 10 minutes on a timed test, at least he can access the test again and continue. When the exam period expires, Blackboard will collect the student’s responses and submit them to the grade center. 
3. Limit availability to the assessment. Reduce the window of opportunity to take an assessment to a smaller timeframe. For example, if you normally give students five days to take an example, decrease the number of days to two.
4. Use the Respondus Lockdown Browser, a custom application that students from copying/pasting, screen capturing, printing, chatting, and accessing other applications.

For more information about test delivery in Blackboard:

• Review the FAQs on

• Force Complete

• Test Exceptions

• Respondus Lockdown Browser

• Request support via RT

Image shows Stan Kahn receiving DIT Emeritus Award For Outstanding Service to Departmental IT Staff and the UMBC Community from Jack Suess

During a conversation about 10 years ago, Stan Kahn from Enrollment Management and Stephen Jones from the Library decided there was a need to enhance communication among staff members who, like themselves, provide IT support at the departmental level. The result was the initial formation of a group of 23 staff. Stan and Stephen decided to call this group of staff the Departmental IT Group, or the DIT Group, for short. To facilitate communication among the members, Stan set up a listserv for the DIT Group members.

Though initially intended for departmental IT staff, it soon became clear that the DIT listserv could also facilitate communication between the members and DoIT, UMBC’s central computing unit. The listserv remains very active, with DIT members sharing information among themselves and also seeking information from DoIT, and with DoIT in turn disseminating information through the listserv to the DIT members. “I think it’s made a significant impact on the IT community for fostering communications.” said Stan. Currently, there are over 60 active members on the listserv, including about 20 staff from DoIT.

Stan and Stephen also wanted to encourage more social interaction and professional development among IT staff, and from the beginning instituted regular meetings for the members. These proved successful, and also came to include DoIT staff. DIT and DoIT staff now hold joint meetings each semester to discuss campus IT initiatives and issues, share best practices, and get to know one another. 

Membership has also continued to expand. “We are fairly open to who can take part,” said Stephen. “[We represent] a lot of different staff who have a strong interest in IT even though IT Support is not the focus of their work.”

After 30 years, Stan will be retiring at the end of September. Kena Jackson, IT Specialist for Enrollment, will work with Stephen in coordinating the Group. 

If you are a staff member with an interest in IT and would like further information, you can contact either Kena or Stephen to gain access to the listserv and take part in the DIT Group meetings.

Stephen Jones                                 

Library

stjones@umbc.edu

Kena Jackson

Enrollment Management

kena@umbc.edu