Use at least 2 different versions of the exam, not allow the students to write on the exam, change the class seating assignment before each exam, place all book bags in the front of the class, and have 2 instructors proctor the exam.
I always change the rotation of my tests - I have at least three versions. sometimes I will use all three tests for large groups testing on material.
Hi Teresa,
Super! You have the perfect set up to minimize cheating. I like how you have the two students per table seated at opposite ends.
Patricia
I also prepare different versions of the quiz/test. There are two student per table, therefore I have the sit at opposite ends of the table
We have tables in my classroom and I make sure everyone puts their book bags on the floor. I also walk around the classroom during the exam.
Hi Edna,
I like how you make it known on Day 1 to your students about the expectations, policies, procedures, consequences, etc. Your students know what is required/expected of them. I also like the practices you have in place to monitor cheating.
Patricia
A clear and detailed syllabus with policies and expectations that will be used as the urling document is my first vealuable tool. In Day 1 of the class, I am very specific with class expectations and consequences when there are violations of a policy or policies including cheating and plagiarism. Some approaches are listed below.
1. Plagiarism- Requiring that the paper submitted is properly cited for when borrowed text is used. When not used, downgrade the paper.
2. Seating arrangement is rotated.
3. All books and personal effects are to be stored away from the desk during testing.
4. Seat at the back during testing to monitor the class.
Hi Claire,
I like it! You handled things. I agree if they knew it yesterday, they should know it today.
Patricia
One of the things that I haven't seen discussed as much as I would have liked is the role of other students in the process. Granted copying somebody elses test may be done without their knowledge but I think that is more the exception than the rule. We need to remind students of their responsibility to prevent and report cheating. I know that there is a significant effort on the part of many educational institutions, including military ones, to inculcate a sense of responsibility through honor codes, student boards, etc. If we also make it an us vs. them problem then we will continue to struggle. They are the ones that lose (non-cheaters as well as cheaters) and have to be part of any effective solution.
I highly suspected a small group of students cheated on a listing sequence on my exam (they failed the rest of the test, but missed none of the listing), so the day after the test I voiced my concern that cheating was occuring to the entire class and I handed out only the listing sequence for them to take again. I said that if they knew and understood it yesterday, they should know and understand it still the next day. I did not reveal who the suspicious students were. The suspected students were flustered, turned bright red and were the only ones to voice their opinion out loud. They were also the only students who went from knowing the entire sequence on test day to failing it the next day. From this point on, I had no other cheating problems in the class.
Hi Gloria,
What a great psychological approach! Students really do stress less whenever they are told, "It is okay to make mistakes, you learn best from your mistakes."
Patricia
I have found when I remove the anxiety connected
to grades, the cheating is lessened a great deal.
I don't give letter grades for daily work, just
points for the number right. I also tell them that I would worry if they didn't make any mis-
takes because they are not learning. By saying we
learn best from our mistakes seems to take the pressure off, and my students seem more relaxed.
Hi David,
It appears you do a fine job to prevent cheating! Keep up the good work!
Patricia
I roam around the room during an exam. I always position myself so that I can see the majority of everyones face. I move constantly to keep the students from getting comfortable with where I am positioned. I find that when the students can't always see where you are that they tend to have less roaming eyes.
Hi Ron,
I have seen where the instructor had done their part so far as thoroughly preparing the students for a test, but the student did not do their part so far as studying. The student felt unprepared due to lack of preparation on their part, and thus cheated.
I find that students cheat more when a bid deal is made out of what will be done if someone is caught cheating. Moving students around and acting like you know (suspect) that cheating is going to happen will lead to exactly that. Talking about preparing for a test, going over last minute reviews will help put students more at ease and often lead to less attempts at cheating.
Hi Joseph,
You are on point! I suppose you have very little cheating in your classes.
Patricia
There are many.
1. Ensure that they have been adaquately instructed so that there is little need for cheating.
2. Try to provide enough spacing to make looking on a neighbors answers more difficult
3. Provide 2 or 3 different versions of the test with the questions in different orders (This will make grading a bit more difficult of course)
Restrict what may be brought into the classroom during testing. (Books, bags, PED's, etc.)
I agree, having multiple forms of a test is a great way to reduce cheating by students looking at other papers. You can also have the students leave their bags and materials at the front of the class during test times.
You can try and watch and observe as a detourant, but I like to try to educate on the importance of being self reliant in the field. If they cheat now their only cheating themselves out of the information that will be crucial to their success once out in the field. Hopefully this strikes a nerve and they will not want to cheat.
