Oral exams can be an excellent way to ensure academic integrity is maintained. An excellent resource is the Leeds Metropolitan University Guide to Oral Assessment.

If conducting an oral exam, best practice includes: (1) providing students with a rubric that has explicit criteria, (2) have sufficient questions on the exam to increase reliability, (3) embed interaction through pre-planned probing questions that can test the upper limits of the student’s knowledge, (4) take notes and audio record if possible, and (5) prepare students ahead of time as most undergraduates will be unfamiliar with the nature of oral exams. If audio recording the exam, ensure that students provide consent and use the standard collection notice as shown below. Video recording is not recommended.

Standard Collection Notice (sample; please provide the relevant information in the areas indicated)

The information on this form is collected under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468), [cite also any applicable administrative policies approved by the University's Board of Governors; other provincial or federal legislation or regulation; binding legal contracts such as collective agreements; etc.].  It is related directly to and needed by the University [describe why (i.e. the purpose) the information is needed].  The information will be used [must describe all uses and be specific].  If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of this information please contact [Position Title, Business Address, Business Phone Number].

As the creator of written or visual instructional information, an instructor automatically holds the copyright for their course and exam material.  You can more clearly communicate to your students your stance on the sharing of your materials by:

1. adding a copyright notice to all instructional and exam material: © Your Name YYYY
2. drawing attention in class to a statement in your syllabus that explains to how students how instructional material is to be shared (or not).
   
   Your instructor’s course materials such as PowerPoint slides, lecture notes, the lecture itself and exams are all protected by copyright. Sharing pdfs or other copies of textbooks and course materials, whether or not you profit from it, is a violation of the student academic integrity policy. Recording, copying or sharing of instructional/ exam materials without permission may be a violation of Canadian copyright law.

The Academic Integrity Coordinator (aico@sfu.ca) and the SFU Copyright Office (copy@sfu.ca) can help you contact a website to have your material removed if it is being distributed without your permission.