Hi David,
What do you typically do to reduce cheating. I let my students know that they will be watched. I fully monitor the room, and I do not do anything else other than watch my students during test time.
Patricia
I make two or three versions of a given test. I then pass out tests so that each student has a different test than the student next to him or her.
Ron Hampson
Dennis - brilliant! My stance exactly. David
But its also about giving them confidence that they can do without cheating. We are there to help them, to give them confidence in their ability to be successful. We need to be careful we don't instill a regime that is all about monitoring & prevention. Its a balance, but I would rather err on the side of trust. They need to know from the start that until they CHOOSE to break it, they have my complete trust. Its their choice, and they need to be aware of the consequences. After that, my main effort is in delivering the programme in a way that deters them from having to make that choice. Idealistic? May be. Have I ever been disappoint? Yes! But rarely and the rewards make the risk worth taking.
David
Maintain a better system of monitoring students. Be more aware of students during class time and what each of them are doing. Set up tests and assessments that discourage students to take opportunties to cheat. Don't ignore your gut feelings if you suspect a student of cheating.
We have different testa. I guess it is true that career colleges have less cheating. I have not seen a cheater yet.
Interesting reading thru some of the responses. I wonder whether such strategies as implementing 2 or 3 versions of the same test is implying that 'we don't trust you?' I like the idea of non-objective tests and having a series of tests that ultimately all contribute to the final evaluation. I also believe we should be looking at methods to discourage students of even considering such actions If you have a good rapport with your students and that you have made it clear very early on the consequences of cheating both on them (professionally and reputationally) and you (relationship, mutual respect, trust etc), you will do a lot to deter such actions.
David
Hi Richard,
Wow! I like your tests format. You have a system in place that will automatically determine if a student is cheating. I simply tell my students they are being watched.
Patricia
Organize student in a way that reduces cheating. Construct different test for students seated next to each other.
I too have used multiple forms of tests to detect and counteract cheating on tests. One approach is to use different question content. I teach computer programming, and on one test I used two forms. The question involved reading computer graphics codes and drawing the image it would produce. On one form the image was a two-story flat top building; on the other it was a single story gable-roofed house. One student produced a perfect gable-roofed house on a test that had the two-story flat topped building, and vehemently protested his/her innocence even in the face of clear evidence to the contrary. In another case I produced four forms of a multiple choice final exam in which the correct answer choice was wrong on every other form. One student nearly perfectly copied the answers of a neighboring student, and so missed nearly every question.
One way of relieving some of the pressure on students to cheat is to have students take the test individually and then immediately retake it in groups. A student receives both an individual and a group score. The group score is invariably better and helps offset possible poor performance on the individual score.
Hi Candis,
There are some students we certainly have to watcher closer than others. Some students just do not want to work for anything.
Patricia
Hi Scarlett,
Great practices to utilize to minimize cheating. Students just knowing they are being watched helps deter cheating.
Patricia
I usually have more than one version of the exam, I also put additional credit questions on the board.
I use the idea that was included in this section- sitting in the back of the class.
Also, essay or short answers on quizes and exams requires that the students show that they understand the material as opposed to multiple choice or parroting back single word answers.
1. Arrange seating so that it is not convenient for the students to look off one another's papers. 2. Observe the students during testing and make eye contact with them to let them know that I am aware of their activities. 3. Stand in the back of the class.
I always stress to my students that the only people they are cheating is themselves prior to a test. I also walk around the room and keep my eyes glued to the ones that I suspect
I teach mostly criminal justice classes, so I tell all my students the importance of integrity and honesty in our line of work. Once your integrity had been compromised, you have lost the respect of your peers, and will likely lose your job. I then relate cheating in class to this type of situation.
I have had a student come in late on test day and score a 96 which is out of character for them. I later found out from another student that someone took a picture of the test and sent it to them. Now i come to class with at least 2 versions of the test. Test "b" for the late guy.
I reduce cheating in the classroom by giving different copies of a test. This is a great way to reduce cheating.
i always have another instructor in class with me during tests, have multiple version of the test, and if possible have the students spread out.
