Title: The age of academic integrity in COVID-19: new normal changes to the health professional education

Authors: Athena Chung Yan Tong; Justin Chak Ting Cheung; Yanny Wing Yan Wong; Colin Ho Lam Chung; Olivia Miu Yung Ngan; Isabel Hwang; Frederic Wai To Choi; Florence Mei Kuen Tang

Addresses: Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ' Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ' Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ' Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ' Faculty of Medicine, CUHK Centre for Bioethics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ' Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ' Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ' Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Abstract: With online examinations prevailing, academic integrity has become a concern. This study is to explore perceptions of online tests among students. An anonymous online survey was conducted among 156 students enrolled in the health professional courses from the CUHK Faculty of Medicine in the academic year 2019-2020. The majority preferred traditional onsite examination (75%) over online format type (25%) because of a less technical requirement (86%), immediate support from invigilators for unanticipated situations (74%), and easiness of focusing (64%); however, some prefer online examinations due to convenience (66%). The pressure and anxiety towards the study do not have significant differences. The reasons for cheating include the desire to pass (42%), peer influence (42%), outstanding grades (38%), and ease of browsing other websites (31%). The application of the blackboard system, Respondus LockDown Browser, with Zoom invigilation minimises the chance of cheating.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; social distancing restriction; academic integrity; cheating; blackboard system; Respondus LockDown Browser; zoom invigilation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2023.128348

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2023 Vol.17 No.1/2, pp.45 - 57

Received: 18 Mar 2021
Accepted: 14 Jul 2021
Published online: 18 Jan 2023 *