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Maria Larkin
Maria Larkin
Maria Larkin
Communication specialist
About author

Spent 21 out of 27 years in educational institutions and is determined to keep it going, better ask what Maria did not do in her career. Now a Communication specialist at OctoProctor, Maria navigates student advocacy, Octo’s communication strategy, and her PhD dissertation on audience perception.

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Author's articles

12
MIN. READ
We need to talk: why US undergrad admissions no longer retain students
Academic integrity
Proctoring helps
February 5, 2026

What’s no longer working in US undergrad admissions and where performative, AI-tinged essays and generic test scores fall short? The “local era” demands its correctives, and owning entrance exams can be the case for your institution.

9
MIN. READ
2026 Q1 trends to watch in EdTech
EdTech & innovation
January 29, 2026

From emotion-based adaptive learning to micro-nano prep, LMS-native AI assistants, tightening AI rules, and skills passports, Q1 2026 is less rocket launch and more need-based rewiring.

14
MIN. READ
Memory lapse-free high-stakes proctored exams
Proctoring helps
December 24, 2025

Academic integrity begins well before exams – it is a culture fostered by great educators who genuinely care about their students. Join our veteran student, Maria, for a set of practical tips and tricks that will help you prepare your students for proctored exams with minimal memory lapses and stress.

19
MIN. READ
Proctoring for EU undergrad entrance exams: policies & best practices for fair admissions
Proctoring helps
Academic integrity
November 13, 2025

Join Maria Larkin, OctoProctor’s communication specialist and an independent academic counselor, for a comprehensive proctoring tour for EU admission teams.

7
MIN. READ
OctoProctor v5.6.0 release: pre-exam chat integration, UI improvements, and more
Product updates
November 4, 2025

Meet release 5.6.0: lighter pages, resilient streams, and real-time search that thinks like you do. Test takers get guided chatbot-like checks; proctors get focused updates; Native speed, fewer tickets, cleaner UI – proctoring that scales without the stress.

12
MIN. READ
How my worst exam experience shaped the voice of OctoProctor
Proctoring helps
Inside OctoProctor
Editor’s choice
October 16, 2025

What makes one cheat, and what breaks one from the cycle? Maria Larkin’s villain-worth origin story proves that communication can transform integrity from a death drive tool to a cultural mission filled with compassion.

4
MIN. READ
Proctoring by the people, for the people: OctoProctor’s social impact
Proctoring helps
EDI in assessment
Editor’s choice
September 4, 2025

OctoProctor’s social impact: fair, accessible assessments. Accommodations, identity checks, zero-tolerance policies, audit trails enhanced through privacy by design, and global compliance.

6
MIN. READ
In the ocean and beyond: how OctoProctor sets the EDI standard for ethical proctoring
Proctoring helps
EDI in assessment
Editor’s choice
August 29, 2025

Octopus as our EDI role model: how ethical proctoring supports access, low-bandwidth delivery, screen readers, bias checks, and co-design for fair exams.

10
MIN. READ
Scoring Models for Polytomous and Dichotomous Items
Learning design
November 29, 2024

This article delves into the two primary scoring models used in educational assessments: polytomous and dichotomous. It explains how these models are applied to various question types, such as multiple-choice and open-ended questions, and discusses their impact on test reliability and validity. By understanding the nuances of each model, educators can better evaluate student performance and enhance the effectiveness of their assessments.