Loading...
The design of a software architecture solution to address impersonation in online assessments in higher education
Author(s)
Maduveko, Stephen
Date Issued
2020
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
The advent and accelerated development of computer and Internet technologies have resulted
in the simplification, automation and integration of tasks. In education and training, the influence
of these technologies includes the introduction and growth of online education and training or
eLearning. Parallel to such positive developments caused by these technologies has been the
rapid development of novel ways to engage in academic malpractices or cheating such as
plagiarism from online and electronic sources, collusion or unauthorized collaboration, and
impersonation. The eLearning mode of education means that there may be no physical contact
at all between the provider and consumer of education. This mode allows educational
transactions to happen over a physical distance. This separation can result in the student being
an anonymous entity within the system. Academic fraud has drawn much attention as it
threatens to undermine the credibility of online qualifications and assessments. This study was
on the challenge of student impersonation and the authentication technologies that can be used
against impersonation. Stakeholder concerns were solicited and various authentication
technologies explored to design a software intensive, architectural solution that could reduce
impersonation in online assessments. The research revealed the prime challenges faced by
current anti-impersonation measures. The challenges faced include cost issues such as the
acquisition of new hardware, the threats to personal data, data security and threats to privacy.
This knowledge provided a foundation for the design of a software architecture for a secure
online assessment system that can reduce impersonation. The low-cost solution would not
demand new hardware implements beyond the basic configuration of a personal computer. The
research employs a mixed method approach to solicit the concerns of stakeholders in online
Higher Education assessments. The product of the research is a proposed software architecture
description of a secure online assessment system that reduces impersonation. The proposed
architecture combines different types of authenticators to deliver a “technologically secluded”
student assessment environment. This proposed online assessment system is effective in
reducing impersonation, is not expensive as it only requires basic computer hardware, and is
less intrusive than other existing online assessment security systems .
in the simplification, automation and integration of tasks. In education and training, the influence
of these technologies includes the introduction and growth of online education and training or
eLearning. Parallel to such positive developments caused by these technologies has been the
rapid development of novel ways to engage in academic malpractices or cheating such as
plagiarism from online and electronic sources, collusion or unauthorized collaboration, and
impersonation. The eLearning mode of education means that there may be no physical contact
at all between the provider and consumer of education. This mode allows educational
transactions to happen over a physical distance. This separation can result in the student being
an anonymous entity within the system. Academic fraud has drawn much attention as it
threatens to undermine the credibility of online qualifications and assessments. This study was
on the challenge of student impersonation and the authentication technologies that can be used
against impersonation. Stakeholder concerns were solicited and various authentication
technologies explored to design a software intensive, architectural solution that could reduce
impersonation in online assessments. The research revealed the prime challenges faced by
current anti-impersonation measures. The challenges faced include cost issues such as the
acquisition of new hardware, the threats to personal data, data security and threats to privacy.
This knowledge provided a foundation for the design of a software architecture for a secure
online assessment system that can reduce impersonation. The low-cost solution would not
demand new hardware implements beyond the basic configuration of a personal computer. The
research employs a mixed method approach to solicit the concerns of stakeholders in online
Higher Education assessments. The product of the research is a proposed software architecture
description of a secure online assessment system that reduces impersonation. The proposed
architecture combines different types of authenticators to deliver a “technologically secluded”
student assessment environment. This proposed online assessment system is effective in
reducing impersonation, is not expensive as it only requires basic computer hardware, and is
less intrusive than other existing online assessment security systems .
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2020
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
Maduveko_Stephen_218345720.pdf
Size
3.15 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):c34ad5839c8eb4e446c204b2a8017e69