Creating and Administering Monitored Exams in Top Hat

Description

This article provides guidance for instructors to create and administer Monitored Exams in Top Hat that can be accessed via Canvas . This ensures the integrity of the exam process while providing a seamless experience for students. 

Environment

Top Hat integrated with Canvas

Considerations

  • Top Hat Monitored Exams are only supported on Chrome or Firefox web browsers. 

  • Students should update to the latest version of the Top Hat app if using a phone or tablet and access Top Hat directly through the app. 

  • Auto-grading is available for some question types. 

  • Instructors must manually re-admit students locked out due to suspicious behavior. 

  • We've provided some best practices for students needing accessibility accommodations:

    • Reopen Test: Instructors can end the test at the standard time and then reopen it with a new code for students requiring extra time. 

    • Lock Out Other Students: At the end of the standard exam period, lock out students who don't need extra time while allowing those who do to continue working. 

Solution 

Creating Monitored Exams in Top Hat

  1. Log in to Canvas at canvas.ohio.edu

  2. Navigate to the Canvas course where you would like to add your exam.  

    • Note: This course must be connected to Top Hat.  Visit the Getting Started with Top Hat guide to learn how to connect your Canvas course with a new or existing Top Hat course.  

  3. Log in to Top Hat by selecting Top Hatfrom the course navigation menu.  

  4. Select the +Add to CourseButton 

  5. Choose Test 

  6. Under Monitoring Type, select Top Hat Monitoring 

  7. Determine your Lockdown Optionssettings 

    • Note: Lockdown options include the option to lock students out of an exam if they leave the test for a certain amount of time, if attempt to leave the test for more than certain number of times, if they take a screenshot, or if they attempt to interact with non-exam content more than a certain number of times.  

  8. Select Create Test 

  9. Set up your exam by adding your questions and point values. Top Hat supports various question types, including: 

    • Multiple Choice 

    • Word Answer 

    • Numerical Answer 

    • Formula 

    • Fill in the Blank 

    • Matching 

    • Click on Target 

    • Sorting 

    • Long Answer 

  10. Configure your exam settings. You can randomize the question order and/or create test banks

  11. Select Save 

  12. Select Close 

Linking your Top Hat Monitored Exams to Canvas

  1. Log in to Canvas at canvas.ohio.edu

  2. Navigate to the appropriate Canvas course 

  3. Go to the module of your choice and select the + button 

  4. Select External Toolfrom the drop-down menu  

  5. Select Top Hatfrom the list of External Tools 

    • Note: This will open a pop-up window  

  6. Select the exam for your list of Top Hat items

  7. Select Sync Gradesif you would like to have exam grades imported to Canvas 

  8. Select Continue 

  9. Select Confirm 

  10. Select Add Item  

  11. The exam will now appear unpublished as an assignment in your module  

    • Note: The default point value is 100. To make changes to point values, choose the exam and select Edit Assignment Settings. The exam may pop up over your browser window, but you can close it and select Edit Assignment Settings.  

  12. Publishyour exam 

Administering the Exam to Students

  1. Log in to Top Hat through your Canvas course on the day of the exam 

  1. Select the exam you created 

  1. Select  Startto open the test 

  1. Share the access codewith your students via Canvas announcement or email

  1. Monitor the exam in real-time. Students will be flagged if they:

    • Try to access the test from multiple devices 

    • Leave the test without submitting 

    • Show other suspicious behavior 

  1. Close the exam manuallyor let it automatically close after 48 hours. 

Outcome: You should now be able to create monitored exams in Top Hat, link them from your Canvas course, and administer them to your students.  

Get Help from Canvas

  • Live chat with Canvas support (Faculty)
  • Get 24-hours/7-days a week Canvas support  
    • Dial the  Canvas Support Hotline number located under "Get Help" in the  Canvas  Global Navigation Menu 
    • Contact OIT at  740-593-1222 for questions related to logging in, test courses/manually created courses, or third-party tools (Panopto, VoiceThread, Inclusive Access, etc.) 

Get Help from OIT

Additional Resources 

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Related Services / Offerings (2)

Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
Canvas is an online Learning Management System designed to facilitate communication and the sharing of course content between instructors, teaching assistants, students, and guests.
Live Student Response System: Top Hat
The Top Hat student response system utilizes students' personal devices (smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) combined with interactive slides to facilitate classroom discussions, track attendance, and conduct real time polls or quizzes. Outside of the classroom, Top Hat offers an InteractiveText platform where instructors can adopt, customize, or create Open Educational Resources for their courses in place of traditional textbooks.

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