Online Proctoring Guide
Online Proctoring is used in select Open School BC courses to verify student identity and help maintain exam integrity during online assessments. This guide explains how to prepare for an Online Proctoring-enabled exam and what to do if you experience any issues.
Courses That Use Online Proctoring
Online Proctoring is included with the following Open School BC online courses:
Students enrolled in these courses do not need to purchase a separate account or subscription. Access to Online Proctoring is provided directly through Moodle Workplace. However, students will be required to install the SMOWL browser extension and grant access to their webcam and microphone before completing a proctored exam.
What is Online Proctoring?
Online Proctoring is the online exam monitoring service used by Open School BC. The service is provided through SMOWL technology and helps maintain exam integrity using identity verification, webcam monitoring, microphone access, and browser security controls.
Before You Start Your Exam
Before launching an Online Proctoring-enabled exam, please ensure that you:
- Review your course instructions and ensure you understand the exam requirements before beginning.
- Exams are generally expected to be completed independently and without outside resources, unless your course instructions specifically state otherwise.
- Choose a quiet location where you can work without interruptions for the full duration of the exam.
- Use a supported browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
- Install the SMOWL browser extension before starting your exam.
- Allow access to your webcam and microphone when prompted.
- Close applications that may be using your webcam or microphone, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, or Discord.
- Have a stable internet connection.
- Disable browser extensions that may interfere with the exam experience.
- Review any additional exam instructions provided in your course.
Install the browser extension:
Install the SMOWL Extension from the Chrome Web Store
Accessing Your Course and Exam
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Log in to Moodle Workplace
Access Moodle Workplace using the username and password provided to you when you registered for your course.
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Open Your Course
From your dashboard, select your course and navigate to the final exam or assessment activity.
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Complete Online Proctoring Registration
If this is your first Online Proctoring-enabled exam, you may be asked to complete a registration process before the exam becomes available.
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Install the Browser Extension
If you have not already done so, install the SMOWL browser extension before opening the exam.
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Allow Required Permissions
When prompted, allow access to your webcam and microphone. These permissions are required to complete an Online Proctoring-enabled exam.
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Open the Exam
Select the final exam or assessment activity. Follow any instructions that appear on screen.
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Start Your Exam
Once all required checks have been completed, begin your exam.
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Complete and Submit Your Exam
Answer all questions within the allotted time and submit your exam according to the course instructions.
During Your Exam
- Remain on the exam page unless instructed otherwise.
- Do not open additional browser tabs or windows.
- Do not attempt to disable or remove the browser extension.
- Ensure your webcam and microphone remain available throughout the exam.
- Follow all exam instructions provided by your course.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
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I cannot start the exam.
Ensure that the browser extension is installed and enabled. Refresh the page and try again.
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The browser extension is not detected.
Open your browser's Extensions menu and confirm that the SMOWL extension is enabled. Restart your browser if necessary.
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My webcam is not working.
Check your browser permissions and ensure that no other application is currently using your webcam. Refresh the page after updating permissions.
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My microphone is not working.
Check your browser permissions and verify that your microphone is connected and enabled. Close any applications that may be using the microphone and refresh the page.
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I receive warnings about browser activity.
Browser Lock may display warnings if you attempt to open additional tabs, switch windows, or perform actions that are restricted during the exam.
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The exam page is not loading correctly.
Check your internet connection and refresh the page. If the issue continues, restart your browser and try again.
After Your Exam
Once your exam has been submitted, it will be processed according to your course requirements. Please refer to your course instructions for information about exam results, certification, or next steps.
If Online Proctoring identifies activity that may require further review, the recorded information is evaluated by a person before any action is taken. The system helps flag potential concerns, but decisions regarding academic misconduct are not made automatically.
Need Assistance?
If you continue to experience issues with Online Proctoring, the browser extension, exam access, or Moodle Workplace, please contact the Open School BC Support Team for assistance.
Can't access my course
Moodle Workplace, located at https://mytraining.openschool.bc.ca, is our online course platform. If you encounter difficulties accessing this site, we suggest starting with resetting your password at https://eservicebc.ca/common_services/forgot_password/. Once you've reset your password, please wait a few minutes before attempting to log in again.
Are you enrolled in a FOODSAFE online course? These courses involve using an account manager website to handle information sent to your regional health authority, select exam invigilators, and manage registrations.
Where should I begin?
Log in to the Level 1 Account Manager at https://eservicebc.ca/foodsafe/STUDENT/. Fill in the required information on the profile page and then proceed to the course and invigilator pages.
How do I start the course?
Start your course by clicking the Start FOODSAFE Level 1 Online Course button in the Level 1 Account Manager at https://eservicebc.ca/foodsafe/STUDENT/. Once you start, you'll have 20 days to complete the course and exam.
Where do I find the course content and exam?
Access the course content and exam at https://mytraining.openschool.bc.ca - log in using the same username and password you've been using for the Level 1 Account Manager.
How do I start the course?
Ensure that you have chosen a start date on the seat assignment page in the Level 2 Account Manager at https://eservicebc.ca/foodsafe/STUDENTLV2/. The course page will also provide you with information about your start and end date. If you do not see any information on the course page, it may be that you haven't chosen a start date yet.
Where do I find the course content, assignments, and exam?
Access the course content, assignments, and exam at https://mytraining.openschool.bc.ca - log in using the same username and password you've been using for the Level 2 Account Manager.
How do I start the course?
Complete the required fields on the My Information page in the MarketSafe Account Manager at https://eservicebc.ca/foodsafe/MARKETSAFE/. Your course will start as soon as you have completed the required fields on the My Information page. The course page will provide you with information about your start date, end date, and a link to access the course content.
Where do I find the course content and exam?
Access the course content and exam at https://mytraining.openschool.bc.ca - log in using the same username and password you've been using for the MarketSafe Account Manager.
Self-registration courses. You can order the following courses from https://order.openschool.bc.ca. Upon purchase, you will receive an email containing a link that allows you to self-enroll in the online course.
| Attendance Support and Wellness (BCPSEA) |
| Awareness and Prevention of Harassment (BCPSEA) |
| BC Mines Blaster |
| BC Mines Shiftboss |
| BC Mines Supervisor |
| Canadian Pesticide Applicator's Core Training |
| Domestic Violence Safety Planning |
| Employee Health and Safety Orientation |
| FOODSAFE Level 1 Refresher |
| Food Microbiology |
| Identity Proofing Awareness Training |
| Introduction to Anti-Racism in Research |
| Nutrient Management Plan Training |
| PCMP 100: Procurement Foundations |
| PCMP 206: The Procurement Lifecycle |
| ProcessSafe |
| WorkSafeBC Exams |
