Hi Mary,
It is amazing how students will go to great lengths to cheat. It is sad whenever you have to require students to put all of their belongings up front, but we do what we have to as educators to deter cheating. Whenever students have available resources they are so much more tempted to cheat, this way they do not have any resources, therefore they must perform off of what they know.
Patricia
Hi Charles,
Do not allow your students to talk after finishing their test. Give a speil to the class and let them know once they are done with their test, they are not allowed to talk, if they talk let them know what you will do, and then you need to do it. Once you make an example out of someone, I gaurantee you the talking will stop. You have to let your students know that you mean business.
Patricia
Hi Stacey,
I like it! Great tactics to use to deter cheating.
Patricia
I also use A and B forms, the students know this. I also pull the "make a new friend" stunt with every exam and make the students spread out and not sit near their normal posse.
I use an a and b test alternately to reduce cheating. My biggest problem seems to be students talking after they finish their test even though other students are still testing.
I usually stand off to one side at the front of the classroom and monitor the student's activities. I also give eye contact and a smile when a student looks up and sees me.
In small classes, I spread students out as mch as possible. When that doesn't work, I will utilize multiple versions of my test. All have the same questions and answer key that are maybe 10 questions off in the order they are on the paper.
Have students bring backpacks and books to front of class. Separate students to individual desk when possible.
At my college we typically use multiple choice exams, so I utilize three different versions of the same exam, which is just scrambled. None of the choice are in the same order, nor is the questions. This is just one simple way that we help to eliminate cheating.
Hi David,
What do you do as an instructor to prevent the students from cheating?
Patricai
As easy as we know some of these test are the student that freaks out when THE TEST comes out I try to explain and easier way to answer questions remove the simple wrong and reduce the amount of options
I inform student the consequences of cheating before the test. There is no talking, desk are clear and I sit in the back of the classroom, taking short random walks.
I have a few strategies I use to reduce cheating. I require students to leave their backpacks, books and other belongings at the front of the room before quizzes to reduce the chances of cheating off notes. I also change my quizzes from term to term. I make it known from day one that I do not tolerate any talking during quizzes or wandering eyes. I've pulled aside individual students who are prone to wandering eyes during exams and I'll move them to the front of the room so they are only able to look forward. Some students aren't aware that their eyes are drifting. They just look up when they think.
Students cheat because the can, or they think the can. To reduce it walk around the room during tests if you are going to stand, stand in the back of the room where you can see the students but they can not see you without turning around. I have them remove everything from there desks. I have an A, B Test, no talking. The idea is to remove the sense that a student can get away with cheating.
Make seating arrangements,Stand behind the students that makes them aware that you are observing the class,take the time to make eye contact no longer than a minute or two as you observe the class,Make sure the tables are clear of any and all books,magazines ect....
Hi Shereene,
You're right! The problem resolved itself. That's what you get for cheating; great lesson learned about keeping your eyes on your own paper.
Patricia
Hi Caroline,
Students need to know that they are being watched while testing. Sometimes just by the students knowing that they are being watched, this practice minimizes cheating.
Patricia
Use pretest and post tests so the students know the format and the material/skills/expected outcomes that will be tested on the exam.
Students need to know that at the end of the course, they will be tested on specfic skills and content of the course. Providing study guides and review sheets also will give the student focus and direction when studying for the exam. Having a thorough understanding of course concepts will reduce cheating.
Performance-based exams and essay exams tend to reduce cheating.
I believe that the first way an instructor can reduce cheating in class is to be vigilant in his or her observation of the students. If it is possible sitting in the back of the class is a good method because they have no idea if they are being observed or not.
Secondly,using more than one version of a test that is randomly distributed is also a good strategy.
Lastly, the instructor should reinforce the fact that in the real world people have to deal with real problems and situations and can not always depend on others to resolve their problems or provide all the answers for them. They must learn to manage on their own.
