SMOWL, Smowltech’s proctoring software — used by over 250 institutions and organizations worldwide — has improved its integration with Blackboard Ultra.

The latest updates, implemented within the past year, have been designed to improve user experience while reinforcing the solution´s core mission: ensuring academic integrity in every digital exam.

Students can now take their exams without needing to install extra software when verifying their ID and using their webcam and microphone. This makes SMOWL a versatile tool compatible with multiple devices.

To ensure a higher level of security, installing a browser extension or a dedicated application may still be required. For instance, to supervise the computer itself, it is necessary to install SMOWL CM.

If you wish to learn how to use SMOWL proctoring within Blackboard, we recommend watching this video.

Below, we will explain the advantages of using SMOWL for exam supervision. However, let's first define the concept of proctoring.

Proctoring refers to overseeing online or digital assessments to preserve academic integrity. It helps deter cheating and ensures fair evaluation of students' knowledge and abilities. Through the use of technology, proctoring allows institutions to administer secure exams.

Online proctoring emerged to address the need for a reliable method of ensuring fairness in remote examinations. With the help of exam

supervision software, institutions can maintain integrity in both online and in-class digital assessments, building trust in e-learning.

SMOWL offers a range of benefits to both academic institutions and students. Continue reading to discover the main advantages of this exam supervision tool.

SMOWL allows students who may be unable to attend in-person exams due to various reasons, including disabilities, to participate in learning through remote assessments. However, its benefits go beyond online exams.

Smowltech´s solution also helps maintain academic integrity during in-class digital assessments, which contribute to more inclusive education by allowing the integration of accessibility-enhancing tools, such as text-to-speech applications, to better support diverse learning needs.

SMOWL allows students to complete their exams without ever leaving the platform. This not only simplifies the testing process but also encourages adoption by eliminating the need to familiarize with additional tools.

Moreover, SMOWL supports equity by providing all test takers with a consistent and fair exam environment.

Powered by artificial intelligence, SMOWL monitors exams and generates detailed evidence reports, allowing educators to make informed decisions. By automating exam supervision, their tool frees up valuable time previously spent on administrative tasks.

Despite its ease of use, SMOWL comes with onboarding support and 24/7 assistance for both students and examiners. Their proctoring solution is designed to grow with your institution thanks to a scalable architecture, minimizing the need to switch systems down the line.

As a European company backed by the European Union, Smowltech complies with its rigorous privacy and security standards.

Their software is fully compliant with the GDPR — the world’s strictest data protection regulation — making it suitable for use in countries where other privacy laws apply, such as FERPA or CCPA in the U.S.

Moreover, Smowltech´s information security policy meets the international standards of ISO 27001, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

SMOWL is built to make learning accessible, even in environments with low Internet bandwidth. It runs effectively on limited connections and continues functioning through temporary service interruptions, helping to bridge the digital gap in rural areas.

Smowltech actively supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly “Quality Education,” “Reduced Inequalities,” and “Sustainable Cities and Communities.”

The use of SMOWL reduces costs and environmental impact, eliminating the need for printed exam materials and cutting CO2 emissions by reducing the need for travel to test centers, benefiting both the environment, test-takers, and examiners.

Smowltech offers flexible, cost-effective subscription models. The activity-based plan is ideal for institutions with a known number of assessments, such as admission exams or recruitment testing.

For long-term academic programs, the user-based plan provides unlimited testing per student.

If you would like to explore Smowltech's offerings in more detail, we recommend visiting their website to review their available plans.

Smowltech believes in the “try before you buy” approach. That is why they offer a no-obligation demo with 25 complimentary licenses, so you can experience firsthand how SMOWL fits your institution´s needs.

Request your free demo now!