Building Training Methodology: Preparing Invigilators for Active, In-person, Exam Management

This study assesses effective training methods that support in-person, post-graduate, exam invigilators to build awareness of institutional policies as well as heighten their comfort and confidence with invigilating in the exam setting. Vigilant, active invigilators are considered effective in reducing student cheating behaviour on exams (Alabi, 2014; Attoh Odongo et al., 2021; Feng & Ouyang, 2021; Siniver, 2013). This study followed 26 exam invigilators of varying experience through pre-training, training, and post-exam invigilation. Invigilators completed an online survey prior to participating in an in-person, half-day training session, self-identifying existing levels of experience, policy knowledge, and comfort/confidence in the exam setting in numerous situations. Upon completion of an in-person training session in a group setting, they completed a second online survey, which showed overall improvement. Invigilators were then assigned a live, in-person invigilation shift and following this, completed a third online survey. The study concludes that the training methods implemented foster confident and capable exam invigilators who support students’ compliance with academic integrity. With the shift to online testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, consideration needs to be given as to whether in-person invigilators retain the knowledge when they experience lengthy lapses of employment, and how their learned skills may be transferable to the online environment.