SMOWL Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
At Smowltech, we understand that questions may arise before implementing a proctoring solution.
That is why we have prepared this Frequently Asked Questions section, where you will find clear and direct information on how our technology works, its benefits, and how it adapts to your institution.
Our goal is to help you make an informed decision by knowing all the guarantees that SMOWL offers in terms of academic integrity, user experience, and regulatory compliance.
Use in assessments
Learn about the monitoring features, what behaviors SMOWL detects, and how it helps ensure exam integrity.
What SMOWL plans are available?
SMOWL offers three main plans to meet the different needs of each institution:
- SMOWL CLASS: Designed for in-person assessments conducted with digital devices.
- SMOWL PLUS: Adds advanced supervision functionalities to ensure greater control during exams.
- SMOWL PRO: The most comprehensive solution, combining all security layers and offering comprehensive supervision for institutions requiring the maximum level of control and reliability.
This way, each organization can choose the plan that best fits their type of assessments and level of academic integrity requirements.
What types of licenses does SMOWL offer?
SMOWL provides institutions with two flexible license models to adapt to different scenarios:
- Activity license: Each user can perform a single activity. It is ideal for:
- Admission exams.
- Individual evaluations.
- One-time certifications.
- Personnel selection tests.
- User license: Each user can perform unlimited activities over time. It is perfect for:
- Student exams throughout an entire course.
- Undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
- Medium and long-duration online courses.
Thus, institutions can choose the model that best suits their academic or professional needs.
Is SMOWL suitable for in-person exams?
Yes, our SMOWL CLASS variant is used by many institutions to supervise digital exams conducted in their classrooms.
In these cases, since there is no need to authenticate users, SMOWL focuses exclusively on browser locking or computer activity monitoring.
How can I access the results?
You can easily access the results through the SMOWL panel integrated into the LMS. In addition, the mySmowltech platform is available to manage all aspects of the SMOWL tool, including the viewing of detailed results and reports.
How can I get a quote for SMOWL?
Our quotes are always adapted to the use cases and needs of our clients. Therefore, if you need a quote for the investment required to implement SMOWL in your institution, do not hesitate to contact our team.
What functionalities does SMOWL offer?
SMOWL includes functionalities such as user authentication, camera and microphone supervision, device monitoring (detection of generative AI use, virtual machines, or unauthorized programs), browser locking, and incident reporting, among many others.
Is there a free trial or demo before subscribing to the service?
Yes. We offer a free demo so institutions can test the system, learn about its features, and evaluate how it meets their needs before making a decision.
Can SMOWL also be used for professional certifications, not just in educational settings?
Absolutely. SMOWL is designed for universities and educational centers as well as for certifying bodies, companies, and entities that require secure online assessments.
In what cases should I use Computer Monitoring (SMOWL CM) or Browser Lock?
The Computer Monitoring functionality, via the SMOWL CM application, monitors the activity on the student’s computer during an exam. It collects evidence of their actions and classifies them as permitted or not permitted.
Meanwhile, the Browser Lock functionality, activated via the SMOWL EXTENSION, allows the exam tab to be locked, preventing the user from leaving it.
Furthermore, it can be configured to detect the use of keyboard shortcuts, additional screens, or even be accompanied by periodic screenshots.
With SMOWL, the device is under control and the exam is protected.
Can SMOWL be used in all types of digital exams?
SMOWL is flexible and can be applied to a wide variety of assessments such as online quizzes, supervised assignments, admission tests, certifications, and corporate evaluations.
Can SMOWL be used in selection and recruitment processes?
Yes. Many companies and Human Resources teams use SMOWL to ensure that their selection and recruitment tests or internal certification are carried out with transparency and reliability.
Technical aspects and support
Review the requirements and compatibility with different browsers and devices and learn more about the assistance we offer to your company or institution.
How does SMOWL integrate into my platform?
Thanks to the flexibility that SMOWL offers, our tool can be integrated into the vast majority of LMS platforms in different ways.
In addition to having a Moodle Certified Integration through a plugin, we also integrate with platforms like Blackboard or Canvas using the LTI system.
For platforms developed by our clients or other LMSs, we have an API that allows us to function perfectly within them.
How does SMOWL differ from Safe Exam Browser?
Safe Exam Browser is simply a secure browser from which to access exams.
In contrast, with SMOWL, our clients are capable of not only generating a secure environment in the browser but also authenticating the test-takers and supervising their surrounding environment.
This makes us one of the most widely used solutions for ensuring the integrity of assessments and the prestige of our clients.
How does SMOWL differ from Respondus?
Respondus requires the download of its own browser to function. In contrast, SMOWL adapts to the characteristics of each client, allowing its implementation in the browsers used by the institution.
The reports generated with Respondus are based on marking the moments when they believe something happened and assigning a % of credibility.
Conversely, the reports generated by SMOWL are based on objective evidence, clearly showing the infraction committed by the user during the test.
This allows evaluators to make decisions in a few seconds and with the ability to justify their decision to the user.
How does SMOWL differ from Respondus LockDown Browser?
LockDown Browser only controls what happens inside the browser. SMOWL, in addition, can monitor the activity of the entire device, detecting open programs, unauthorized access, and suspicious behaviors.
What happens if a student has technical issues during the exam?
SMOWL provides support for the institution and clear protocols so administrators can decide how to proceed in case of student technical issues. The goal is to avoid interrupting the student experience while preserving the validity of the test.
What institutions already use SMOWL?
SMOWL is used by more than 300 universities, training centers, and companies in different countries that are committed to secure digital education and evaluation.
You can consult some of the most relevant institutions and success stories.
Is there accompanying support for examiners and test-takers?
We have a support team for the different markets where we have a presence, allowing us to provide 24/7 support service through our real-time chat.
On what devices does SMOWL work?
SMOWL is compatible with Windows and Mac computers. Some specific functionalities require software installation (like SMOWL CM).
In what languages is SMOWL available?
The interface and support are available in several languages, including Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian.
How does SMOWL protect the privacy of its users?
Smowltech complies with all privacy requirements mandated by the European GDPR regulation, which is the most stringent in the world. This allows us to comply with the standards required in other countries worldwide, such as the US FERPA and CCPA.
About SMOWL and proctoring
Discover what SMOWL is, how it works, and why it is the leading proctoring solution.
What is proctoring?
Proctoring is the remote supervision of digital exams using technological tools that guarantee the authenticity of the test-taker and the integrity of the evaluation.
What is SMOWL and how does it work?
SMOWL is a proctoring (digital exam supervision) solution developed by Smowltech that combines different layers of supervision: user authentication, environment control, device monitoring, and browser locking.
All of this is integrated into your learning platform.
Is it possible to bypass SMOWL?
It is extremely difficult to cheat with SMOWL, as the system detects actions such as opening programs, external consultations, the use of artificial intelligence, or the presence of third parties in the student’s environment.
What does SMOWL detect?
SMOWL is designed to guarantee the integrity of digital exams by monitoring multiple factors during the assessment. The behaviors and situations it detects include:
- Opening unauthorized programs: such as word processors, advanced calculators, or any software that could facilitate cheating.
- Use of generative artificial intelligence: detects when tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or other AIs are used during the exam.
- Accessing virtual machines: prevents attempts to bypass the supervision system.
- Presence of other people in the student’s environment: ensures the exam is taken individually.
- Webcam or microphone anomalies: any attempt to manipulate the equipment that could compromise supervision.
Thanks to these detections, among many others, SMOWL generates detailed reports categorized by risk level, allowing the institution to quickly and objectively identify potential incidents, guaranteeing the transparency and validity of the evaluation.
Looking for more info that fits your profile?
We have created specific resources for each type of SMOWL user. Choose the one that best suits your needs:
Support for students
Find answers to the most common questions during your online exams.
Guide for instructors
Discover how SMOWL helps you supervise and guide your students easily.
Resources for administrators
Access information on configuration, user management, and best implementation practices.
Need more information?
If you have not found the answer to your question or would like to receive a personalized proposal, our team will be happy to advise you.