Cheating Students
Once caught, should an instructor conduct a retroactive assessment of that student's class knowledge and content understandings to that point?
I agree that when a student cheats on an assignment or exam they should recieve a zero. There also shouldn't be a chance for make up
our policy is deduction of a grade for that class on first offense. Dissmissial for second offense.
Hi Thomas,
What an awesome response. My feelings are the same as yours. I could not have said it any better.
Patricia
Once a student is confirmed to have cheated, I dont feel that it matters what their previous work reflects. They have shown a lack of respect for the institution, their instructor, and their fellow classmates. The point of taking a class is to learn and they have shown that they do not wish to put forward the effort to learn the information, therefore they cannot be allowed to pass the course. Once they have been proven guilty, they should be eliminated from the course.
If I even see a cell phone out during a test the student will be given a zero for that test.
Hi Michael,
Wow, I never thought of doing that. If it works, continue to use it. My institution has a policy on cheating. The policy is documented in the students handbook, and they sign a document stating that they have read and fully understand the honor code. The students are also made aware of the honor code at orientation. If a student is caught cheating, the policy is enforced.
Patricia
Before each test I have an overhead that I put up stating the procedures if you are caught cheating and what is and is not tolerated during a test. I read this to the class and leave this up during the test this way if someone is caught cheating there is never an argument. So far I have only had to enforce these rules once.
Hi Frank,
You do not hold back any punches, and I like that. Sudents know up front what they will face if they are caught cheating. I am sure this straightforward approach has curtailed cheating.
Patricia
I inform my students right from the start that if I catch them cheating, I will fail them from the class.
Hi Gregory,
I agree. It is ashame because they are only hurting themeselves. I give my students the same lecture as you give your students about cheating. It saddens me to know students will cheat.
Patricia
At our institute we also suspend cheating students, what the students do not seem to understand is that they are only cheating themselves. When they go out into the work force their is no one to cheat off of, you must be able to do the work you were suppose to be training for. If you can not do the work, you will be fired. Some students really need a wake up call. I do feel that some students have never worked before coming to school so they have no concept of what is ahead. Cheating only makes it worse.
Hello Joe,
The student should be reprimanded. We have a standard policy at out institution on cheating. The policy is that the student will fail the course and is suspended from school, however, the student can write an appeal letter to try to get back in school, but at the minimum, the student will fail the course.
Patricia
failing the student on the exam/paper or failing the student in the class.
Response to Patricia,
I do space students apart when taking tests. I also tell them that their cell phones must be placed on top of the desk where I can see them. I have also informed students that once they leave the class their test is done. I do not seem to have many students cheating because I believe in a strong review and then assist them with the results. I have even given students their midterm tests a second time to help them bring up their grade. I believe that of students know you are with them in their success of the class they will try harder to please you. Sharon
Response to Patricia, I do not tolerate cheating and prior to any tests I relay to the students that they have worked so hard to get to this point and that cheating is not accepted. I tell students cheating will result in automatic failure of the test and that marionette's will be contacted. Students seem to understand that I feel they have worked so hard and do not need to cheat to succeed in the class. I also allow them to ask questions prior to the test so that if they were confused about a certain topic, they won't be then. Sharon
Hi Marvin,
Absolutey, letting the class know there are different tests is a good deterent to cheating problems. Cheating is one of those things that we will not get rid of completely, but as educators, we do need to do everything we can to minimize cheating.
Patricia
Hi Warren,
This tactic seems to really catch cheaters. The answers do not even come close, how obvious it is that the student cheated off of another student's test.
Patricia
Cheating is a bad deal for us all. We use alternative test. The test has the same questions, but they are asked in a differant order. If the same questions are answered wrong it is a good indicator. Also letting the class know there are differant test is a good deterant to these cheating problems
I have done virtually the same thing. During a given "hands on" test there is two slightly different tests so wandering eyes get quite a surprize.Occasionally ,you will get a correct answer but not for their test, and the score is zero for that section.
