Of course we should be concerned about it - why even wonder about it? The question is what to do about it.
Unfortunately, there's just not a whole lot to be done to prevent it in an online course, not nearly as much as can be done with a brick-and-mortar classroom. At best, instructors can build in a great deal of real-time interaction to encourage students to participate in chats, online lectures, etc. and make some portion of that mandatory and not merely recommended. Ideally, if students know they must participate and not merely upload assignments, they can be more motivated to take ownership of their work.
Other than that, though, there's just not a whole lot that can be done to prevent students from having somebody write their essays, submit their materials, help them, etc. And let's be honest - no amount of online interactivity can really replicate the daily, personal interaction that happens in a classroom and by which instructors can familiarize themselves with each student's capabilities.
Now that we have texting everywhere....I suppose cheating is up more in the traditional classroom as well. I am glad that you keep your eyes open!
Shelly,
I disagree with this. In fact, I have found that online classes are filled with cheaters. Almost everyone copies someone else on the discussion boards, and some people do the work for others too. I have caught many people cheating.
Sincerely,
Vince
I do agree that cheating is not acceptable, but learning is more important process. I would create quizes and exams with more questions and even will repeat the same question in the quiz or test.
Good point on time constraint.
Must base it on facts. Facts that are right on the document itself.
I think the punishment should fit the crime. Each case needs to be evaluated individually. In an online setting it is harder to get t know the students as individuals. That makes evaluating each case individually very hard.
Open book is good, as long as there is not a time constraint. Otherwise, they try to read the material as they are taking the test, which does not promote learning. In the on site class that I teach, I give them handouts of the my powerpoints, printed with three slides to a page, leaving room o n the side for their own notes. I have them read the material after I lecture, taking additional notes from the book, and then I allow them to use those notes on the quizzes and tests. This encourages them to read the book. I don't know exactly how this would translate to an online class, but there must be some way.
If a student is inclined to cheat, they will find a way, either in the on ground or the on line classroom.
Turnitin is a very nice program to use.
We use Turnitin.com. Students submit their papers to this site and the instructor uses to show the show how much of the material was not theirs. The instructor asks the student to rewrite it but using their own interpertation not the source.
Cheating can occur online. One way to decrease the chance for cheating is to have a policy on cheating. Have students read the policy and they can agree or disagree with the policy. In the policy there should contain what actions will occur if a student is caught cheating. Posting are one way students can cheat. If a posting is so similiar to some else's post this may be cheating. My husband had this happened to him in an online class. The same student would wait until mu husband posted then copied his answer and try to bury the part copied in his response. What gave it away was my husband has a unique writing style and when the student pasted into his posted, one could easily detect a change in writing style. The student was call on this by the instructor. I always tell students that you cheat yourself when you cheat.
Hello Chris,
Your story reminds me of a similar incident that happened during our finals when I was completing my Masters too. There was this straight A student who was caught with a pad under his exam paper. He was expelled. Cheating is dishonesty whether online or on campus and should not be tolerated. I agree with you. Academic Honesty should be upheld for the good of students, the quality of the course and credibility of the institution. We as instructors can play a role to help students clarifying the polices and expectations. Covering cheating (Academic Honesty) and clarifying to students their responsibilities along the OV tools has worked for me.
Thank you for taking your work so serious. We definitely do not want a health care "professional" working on us that cheated through school.
Love how you started this post! It is about learning....and learning the material at hand.
Good point on the plagiarism issue. This is an ongoing problem. Many students do not even know they are plagiarism and then there are some who know exactly what they can get away with. Be on the look out!
I do agree with this. The issue that may arise is having students use an open book forum with online classes. I feel as though the professor needs to be aware of this when giving a test.
The other issue that might occur is plagerism. Like on the ground classes, professors have to watch out for this. I believe that it is easier for on-line professors who have programs like turn it in. With this program students can turn their papers in and the program will run it for papers, articles, etc that have the same wording.
In an online environment you will have the same concerns for cheating as traditional classes. Professors have to deal with it the same way.
