Hi Lisa,
Cheating can certainly be a big concern in the classroom. As instructors we have to watch closely as you have mentioned to determine if dishonesty is occurring.
Patricia
praise originality in papers, for plagarism. seperate the students, and observe closely, and if needed call them out privately and mark zero on exam, paper if ness.
Someimes I give a verbal exam, Sometime I give exams that they must express in their own words, which let me know if they have studied, yet know what the topic is about and sometimes I give same exam with each paper worded differently or assigned to different numbers. They cannot cheat on each other papers, use a computer or write the answer on their skin without showing that they are trying to cheat. This method reduce cheating in mt classes.
I teach pharmacy technicians.. so cheating on a test could eventually lead to a medication error if the student has cheated their way through school and has learned nothing.
I ask them, "If you were a patient; how would you feel if you knew that the technician behind the counter cheated on every test they took? Would you be willing to take the prescription they filled?"
They get the point.
I think if you monitor the classes like a surveillance camera it can reduce the act of cheating. Yes, I'm aware of the fact that instructors can't watch cheaters so closely because they have a class to teach. But if you let the cheater know that you are watching them, and make your presence felt, it could make a difference.
I have had students that cheat on the homework projects. I teach computer science and have all the students completing projects and working with true or false and matching. Most of my testing is doing projects in class – which shows if they know the concepts and the procedures to complete an assignment. Students who cheat on their homework projects find themselves lost on a text in class. When someone cheats and I can prove it they get a “0†for their grade too and if someone helped them cheat – they also get a “0â€. Example: I teach Excel Spreadsheet – I request the students to create a footer with their name and the document name – all projects are submitted by email through an attachment so I have a copy of the file to grade (because of revealing codes/formulas and other components) – I have had students send me a completed project but not change the footer and have someone else’s name on it. I then meet with both students and explain the problems that have occurred while they cheated themselves. I going into more detail but we have all done this at one time or another.
Preperation prior to administering an exam. Arrange seating to avoid someone looking onto someone else's paper. Make different versions of the exam is space availability is an issue. You must also provide constant monitoring during the exam to minimize the likelihood of cheating
I believe that if you are mobile, like standing in the back of the room, then they will be less likely to try and cheat. Also if you make yourself available for tutoring and make sure that they are well prepared for the exam, then they won't have any reason to cheat.
one way to help reduce cheating (where there is a will, there is a way) you can have the students clear their desks of all books, papers calculators, cell phones etc. Have students "spread out" so as not to make it easy to look at their neighbor's paper. If I know a particual test is "more difficult" I will have a study guide for the students before the test for them to review on their own and then we will review it as a class prior to the test.
I always make at least two different tests up and spread my students as far apart as possible. This will help avoid temptation.
Explaining the seriousness of cheating and it's reprocussions can make a student take notice. Making the testing atmosphere less conducive to cheating reduces the temptations.
Hi Wilbert,
Hands-on tests work well in computer classes to curtail cheating.
Patricia
Hi David,
This is definitely fair punishment. I also like how you talk to the student about this act.
Patricia
In my classroom sometimes the opportunity to spread out is not possible so I print out test A,B,C version and this stops the cheating fast. If someone is cheating you know right away when they have test A with test B answers. I also stay at the back of the class they know I am there as they turn around and check and I smile back!
Hy Nydia,
Always a good practice! I simply let my students see that they are being watched. This tactic is very effective.
Patricia
Hi Donna,
It is nothing like getting busted. Most are emabarrassed and will prepare honestly to try to bounce back.
Patricia
Hi Donna,
Great approach! I have found that cheating students are embarassed once they are caught and generally they express this is totally out of character for them. I let them know that they are know shortcuts in life and if they did not have time to study, give it their best shot, and prepare better for the next test.
Patricia
In my Math class, I do 3 sets of parallel test items that are alternately distributed. Students must show the procedures and works on test items that need calculation plus a big dose of monitoring.
that's so true! The busted students, after a talk with them, really do step up their study skills and participation
Very true. And most of them don't feel bad about the cheating as much as they are embaressed about being caught, though I have noticed a stronger work ethic after busting someone.
