Indrek Reimand, head of the Education and Youth Board's technological management department, told ERR that the board is currently mediating the Examination Information System (EIS), study platform Moodle and study material platform E-koolikott. Those are supplemented by plagiarism prevention system Urkund and lecture capturing system Echo360.

Harno is now however planning on giving universities an option to use an application named Proctorio. "This is a solution developed in the United States that is making its way in Europe. The solution allows for out-of-classroom exam monitoring, if the student has given their permissions," Reimand explained.

He specified that the pilot project is planned for one year and the board is hoping to sign a contract this spring. Currently, university information is being gathered.

University of Tartu showed initiative

University of Tartu Vice-Rector for Studies Aune Valk told ERR that the university begun to look for such solutions in the spring of 2020. "Since this is of wider interest and of complicated personal data conditions, there is no point for the university to discuss it separately. We proposed that Harno announce a procurement last year," the vice-rector explained.

She added that Proctorio can be connected to the existing Moodle platform. "Proctorio is a special software that can be used for specific purpose, meaning in cases where ensuring exam conducting in distance conditions needs equal treatment. That is so that noone would use prohibited materials or other prohibited help," Valk added.

She noted that Proctorio is a necessary application with distance learning here to stay, because exams usually take place online. "I cannot assess the exact capacity, it depends on the epidemiological situation and also how well the software operates. On the other hand, digital exams or tests could be needed even if there are no restrictions stemming from the virus, if we look at the future," Valk added.

Tallinn University of Technology study department head Betra Leesment told ERR that they would also have use of the platform. "The need is not very great, but some of our lecturers have expressed desire to take it into use," she added.

Estonian University of Life Sciences education technologist Veljo Kabin said the school is still waiting. "We are up to date on Proctorio and are awaiting the results of discussions Harno is having on licensing to then decide if and in what capacity we would join the contract," he said.

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