there should be better proctoring policies in place and all proctors will follow the same policies for every test given.
We use different versions of the test. Be alert, look for wandering eyes. If something looks weird, migrate to the area and hang out. The next test, start there and hang out. I have done this and the student questioned me. I just told him I am keeping honest people honest.
Separating the students when testing, especially in a lab environment when they are sitting close together. Also, turning off computers and phones.
Reduce the amount of objective assessments you give. As an English teacher, this is relatively easy. I give fewer T/F, multiple choice assignments. Discussion questions do not lend themselves as readily to cheating.
Also, when giving any assessment, you must position the students in the class in such a way that they can not see each others' work, and you may choose to take up their cell phones too if that is within your school's policy.
I teach in Visual Communication. I use case examples of the professional consequences of plagiarism. I show the students the physical examples of fraudulent artwork and then the fallout the person incurred. I do this during the first week of every class. We have a defined policy on plagiarism and cheating that is also repeated on every syllabus. Yet for Visual Communication the impact of plagiarism on your career is fierce and immediate. So, I make it a tangible subject so the students understand it and see it as a real thing.
I used short answer questions for the exam.
Also, testing on the skills.
My tests are mostly multiple choice questions but I add in a number of short response or essay questions which accounts for the bulk of their passing grade. This is where I can really see if they grasped the course content and what their true quiz grade should be.
Make sure that students understand that your class is passable! Give them review sheets, sample test questions, etc.
We do our best to keep our class sizes small, usually around 25 students. For me, this small number makes it easy for me to monitor my students for the entire exam. All books and notes are away and cell phones are in the students' bags set to vibrate. If I notice a "shifty" student I make it a point to make eye contact with them multiple times, which is easy because they will tend to look up periodically if their eyes are wandering. If they continue the behavior I may walk over and ask if they have any questions about the exam.
One inconsistency I noticed about this section was the recommendation to observe from the back of the room; yet, the next paragraph suggested looking for an eye roll and roaming eyes. Unless I am reading it wrong, you cannot see their eyes if you are standing behind them.
Hi Terri,
Students must be held accountable fully to the policy, and if they break the policy, they should be reprimanded, accordingly.
Patricia Scales
I agree with these ideas. If students are made at least partially responsible for the policy on cheating or the code of conduct for the school or their particular program, they will hold themselves to those standards. If you let them know that you as instructor, and the other students trust them, they will be more likely to want earn that trust.
One way that I reduce cheating, I notice where I teach. Student tend to pass homework and old tests down from class to class. I have learned to circulate several versions of the test, each term. Students are not aware of which version they will receive. Plus, I tell them that I update the test each time. I also, give my students a study guide, with all the information that will be on the test. If they find the answers and study, they will do fine. In my tests, I use a combination of questions, from fill ins, multiple choice, and essays. This way a student has a hard time when it comes to cheating. These are just some ways that I reduce cheating in my classrooms.
Hi Wendy,
Great tactics to have in place to deter cheating. I use another simple method as well, I let my students know that they are being watched, and I watch them. During test time is not the time to get grading done. Watch your students.
Patricia Scales
First let the students know, If they cheat, they will be caught and won't hurt anyone, but them.
Second - move all books, purses, back-packs, etc. to the front or back of the room. If tempature is comfortable, that no one needs a sweater or jacket, that also will be place with their other items.
Once the test is complete, excuse those students to the lounge, but out of the classroom.
Hi Edward,
You can't react to allegations of a student cheating. Do just as you have done. You have to see the student actually cheating. The information is good because you can really watch the alleged cheating student, and if you catch them cheating, you reprimand them according to your school's policy.
Patricia Scales
Patricia - I am a relatively new teacher. When I first began teaching, students would come to me and tell that another student was cheating. I expressed that since I did not observe this, there was little that I could do at this time. I don't believe that the informing student was happy with my resolution. Since then, I have made many changes suggested here and I have removed most of the opportunities for cheating. I am not infallible. How should I better react to allegations of cheating that I can't substantiate?
Hi Harold,
Great tactics to deter cheating. It is painless in today's society to create different versions of a test based on the technology/software we have. Great job of putting into practice different ways to control cheating.
Patricia Scales
The way I try to control cheating in class is assigning seating, and preparing and giving the vstudents different tests.
The usual tried and true methods. Two separate tests, space out students. all personal belongings separate part of room, short answer tests, tests based on usage of class notes, pop quizzes, group projects and review, review review.
Don't allow students to sit next to each other, have different versions of the exam, and make them place all their belongings in the front of the class.
