Exam Task

As a historian, studying the past is never just an academic exercise. The ultimate value of history lies in how it shapes our understanding of the present and guides our choices for the future. Throughout this course, you have navigated the historical narrative through the eyes of your character, evaluated dozens of primary and secondary sources, and applied rigorous analytical frameworks.

Your final task is to write a comprehensive reflection essay (approx. 800–1000 words) that synthesizes your character's journey, the historical thinking concepts you've mastered, and the personal lessons you are carrying forward.

To support your thesis, your essay should address the following three areas:

1. The Character's Mirror (Life Lessons): What did you learn about the human condition and the lived experience of history by guiding your character? Reflect on the life lessons that emerged from their story and how empathy for historical actors shapes our understanding of the present.
2. The Historian's Lenses (Historical Thinking): How did applying the concepts of Historical Significance, Continuity and Change, Cause and Consequence, and Historical Perspective change how you view both the past and your modern world? Use specific examples from your course research or media logs to illustrate this analytical shift.
3. The Path Forward (Start, Stop, Keep): Based on the critical inquiry and source-evaluation skills you developed in this course:
   • Identify at least one habit, mindset, or practice you will start (or have started) doing.
   • Identify at least one you will stop doing.
   • Identify at least one you will keep doing. How do these choices shape your responsibility as an active, informed citizen in the modern world?

Pre-Exam Preparation

Before you begin your live writing session, you should prepare your ideas.

You may use Large Language Models (LLMs) during this phase to brainstorm ideas, refine your thesis statement, or critique your outline structure.

Your preparation document must include:

1. Your Selected Life Lessons & Themes from the course.
2. A Structured Outline listing your thesis statement and the main points of your body paragraphs.
3. Your Selected Evidence: Specific examples from your character's story and media logs that you plan to integrate.
4. LLM Prompt Log: Copy and paste the prompts you used and the model's suggestions.

Deliverable:

Proctored Writing Session

Once your preparation document is ready, you will complete the live writing session. You will have 2 hours to write your essay.

To comply with Ontario Ministry requirements, you must write your essay under secure conditions. For this exam, you will use the web proctoring system and built-in secure editor we have set up, which you can access directly on this exam page. For a complete guide on how to set up your environment, camera, and use digital notes, please review the Secure Web Proctoring Guide prior to starting.

Proctoring Guidelines:

The web proctoring system uses an external camera (such as your smartphone set up on a tripod, stand, or shelf) alongside our secure in-app editor. This verifies that you are the one drafting the work in real-time, without relying on intrusive desktop monitoring software.

Camera Setup:

• The Angle: Position your phone's camera behind and to the side of you (a 3/4 view).

• What Must Be Visible: The recording must clearly capture:

  1. Your face and profile.
  2. Your hands and keyboard.
  3. Your computer screen (showing the Verification Code, the clock, and the active writing editor).
  4. Your immediate desk environment.

• Clear Desk & No Paper Notes: Your desk must be completely clear of all paper, books, notebooks, or handwritten notes. No paper notes are permitted; instead, you must upload your rough notes/outline to the "Rough Notes" slot prior to starting the proctored session. You can view your notes digitally during the exam by clicking the Rough Notes button in the secure editor.

Recording & Writing Routine:

1. Pre-Exam Checklist & Setup: Position your phone (or recording camera) on its stand in the 3/4 angle position. On this page, read and check all compliance items in the Pre-Exam Checklist.
2. Start Proctor Stream: Click "Start Proctor Stream" to start your local webcam check-in and display your 6-character Verification Code and rolling live clock.
3. Verification Code, Room Scan & Introduction:
   • Start recording on your phone camera.
   • Self-Introduction: Stand in front of the camera, state your preferred name and course code, and read the 6-character Verification Code on your screen aloud.
   • Room Scan: Pick up the phone/camera and perform a slow 360-degree pan of your entire room and desk environment, verifying that it is clear of all paper notes, extra screens, or other people.
   • Legibility Check: Show a clear, close-up shot of the Verification Code and Clock on your computer monitor.
   • Tripod Setup: Without stopping the video recording, place the camera back on the tripod/stand in the 3/4 angle position to capture the full view of your desk, keyboard, hands, and monitor.
4. Begin Writing: Once you upload your Rough Notes & Outline Google Doc, the Secure Editor will automatically unlock. You can begin writing immediately; you do not need to wait for a live proctor to click unlock.
5. Drafting: Type your essay directly into the built-in editor. Your progress is continuously auto-saved.
6. Finish & Save: Once you have completed your reflection essay, click "Finish & Save Draft" to submit your work, then stop your recording.

Deliverables: