Hello Richard,
I've used the same tactic as you have with the cheating student on the math test. It is amazing what length students will go to in order to cheat.
You're right! The simple solution: Is to put everything away during a test! Students are really using the technology (cell phones, laptops, ipods, etc.) now to cheat versus the old-fashioned way, such as writing on the desk, writing on a small cheat of paper, etc.
Patricia
I don't believe in good conscience you can go back over previous work; the results of cheating should show up in a poor score on a final exam.
One issue I had was when a student got ahold of a math test I was going to give the next day. Other students alerted me to this situation. So I simply gave everyone the test--except hers had different numbers in the problems she had to solve! She couldn't figure out why her answers were all wrong, and could never tell me they were the ones she had memorized.
Incidentally, cell phones and laptops for messaging each other are issues I've had to deal with. (Simple solution: put them all away during a test.)
Hi Cynthia,
Wow, what an open way to do something as severe as cheating! I feel as though it would be a wise idea for your institution to have a standard written policy on cheating. My institution has a standard written policy on cheating. By having a standard written policy every student is reprimanded the same.
The policy is as follows:
At my educational institution, students are automatically suspended from school if they are cauught cheating. The cheating student receives an "F" in the course. Whether or not cheating occurred is undebateable because we always make sure to have concrete evidence. The student does have the right to appeal within a 48-hour time frame. A committee hears the case, and if the student is granted the appeal. The student can return to school, but at the minimum the student receives and "F" in the course and must retake the course. Documentation is placed in the student's file about violating the honor code. If the student is caught a second time, the student is immediately expelled from the institution without ever having the opportunity to return.
Patricia
The school were I teach has the teacher be responsible for the course of action taken ater a student is caught teaching. The teacher can handle it in the way that they choose including failing the student on the exam/paper or failing the student in the class. The issue is then reported to our appeals review board and it is documented in the student's file.
I inform my students right from the start that if I catch them cheating, I will fail them from the class. Period. I stress this more with plagiarism since we have a huge problem with it at our school.
The school does have a strict policy on cell phones, I am just not being strict enough but with finals this week that will change. I made some signs this weekend (even though the school has them all over the place) - hoping a NEW sign, new colors, will jolt them. I have told them how rude it is to have someone take a call or even text message while you're lecturing but it doesn't sink in.
Hi Janice,
Spacing students to prevent cheating has always been a smart technique.
My school has a very strict cell phone policy. If the cell phone goes off, vibrates, rings, etc., the student is suspended from the class, and the student receives a "0" on all work due or done on that day. At my institution, we have minimal cell phone issues. You may want to speak with appropriate personnel about implementing a cell phone policy. Go with your idea of collecting the phones; the idea is great!
Not only is it cruel not to allow bathroom breaks; it is elementary as well.
Patricia
I am giving finals next week for my students in their first module of a brand new program. Luckily the group is small so I will be placing them one to a table. Cellphones are a HUGE issue; they sign a form day one that says cell phones off or on vibrate and if it is urgent they are to quietly exit the room and take the call- I have had to readdress this issue SO much. I have been wondering how to handle the final, I like the idea of collecting the phones- or maybe placing them on my desk and they can retrieve them after they turn in their final. I also am "worried" that they will claim needing to use the restroom, leave a note/ or text messaging there and retrieve the answer after another needed break! It seems cruel to not allow bathroom breaks. Any ideas? I am going to ask admin if someone can be posted in the bathroom but is that OK? It's a large bathroom so theoretically anyone could be in there.
Hi Bernie,
You've lucked out. There are some classes where cheating is not a problem as much as other classes. The medical transcription course at my institution is the toughest course out of all the curriculums. Medical transcription is generally where we catch most of the cheaters.
Patricia
Cheating is not much of a problem in my class because most of the class is hands on lab with a computer given final exam. The exam is made up of 75 possible questions with 50 randomly given on the quiz. luckily for me the computer does the scoring.
Hello Anne,
I agree cheating should be nipped in the bud, however, I feel as though the punishment needs to be harsher than just lowered one letter grade. At my institution at the minimum the student will receive an "F" in the course for cheating.
Patricia
Cheating has to be 'brought up short,' and a student really needs to be made to feel very un-comfortable when caught. It's not fair to the others who have worked hard to get the correct answers and do 'unplagiarized' work. I definitely feel that the student's grade needs to be lowered one letter grade at the end of the course, no matter what the quality of his or her work is and that, yes, doing a retroactive assessment would contribute to the necessary discomfort. If the cheating student is introspective and has a conscience this valuable lesson could be with him or her through life and have a very positive affect on his or her future.
Hi Cori,
At my educational institution, students are automatically suspended from school if they are cauught cheating. The cheating student receives an "F" in the course. Whether or not cheating occurred is undebateable because we always make sure to have concrete evidence. The student does have the right to appeal within a 48-hour time frame. A committee hears the case, and if the student is granted the appeal. The student can return to school, but at the minimum the student receives and "F" in the course and must retake the course. Documentation is placed in the student's file about violating the honor code. If the student is caught a second time, the student is immediately expelled from the institution without ever having the opportunity to return.
Patricia
When I have had students cheat on their assignments, I have given them a zero. There is a problem report written on the circumstances and the student has their chance to voice their side of what happened and why they cheated. If there are subsequent episodes, school expulsion procedures could ensue for the student. There should not be a chance given to give a retroactive assessment to the student.
Hi Joseph,
I have tried using different versions of tests, having the same questions but just in a different order. This is a great tatic to catch cheaters. The variations of tests will soon get around and students will know that they can not get the answers from other students tests. I like the idea of collecting cell phones. It is amazing to what length students will go to in order to cheat.
Patricia
My post is going to be a little different than the initial question. Preventing Cheating; Early in my teacher career, myself and the instructor who crosstrained me suspected students were hearing about our lab hands on test out in advance, since the original curriculum had only one scenario. We teach at an automotive technology center. To eliminate students from cheating, we agreed to come up with 4 more "bugs" for each vehicle that were diagnostically similar, but different from each other. The students randomly get sent to different vehicles, and the bug on each is changed between students. With the written tests, we jumbled up the order so 3 versions of the test are given out to the class. They can't look at the other students answer sheet to cheet. With their desks cleared and their cell phones turned off, it's almost impossible for them to cheat while supervised. At one point we even had a box that we collected cell phones into before the test. My personal opinion is that preventing cheating with proper setup is critical to a class, it is human nature to look at their neighbors work, eliminating the temptation is important.
Hi Patricia,
It is extremely helpful whenever you have policies in place. Students should always be aware of the policies so that they know if any violations occur they are held liable. It is a good practice to separate your students before testing, therefore, they are not tempted to cheat.
Patricia
Your school policy is straight to the point. I have found myself faced with cheating students. Therefore, I have took upon myself to separate my students before testing at all times.
Hi Vonia,
At my educational institution, students are automatically suspended from school if they are cauught cheating. The cheating student receives an "F" in the course. Whether or not cheating occurred is undebateable because we always make sure to have concrete evidence. The student does have the right to appeal within a 48-hour time frame. A committee hears the case, and if the student is granted the appeal. The student can return to school, but at the minimum the student receives and "F" in the course and must retake the course. Documentation is placed in the student's file about violating the honor code. If the student is caught a second time, the student is immediately expelled from the institution without ever having the opportunity to return.
Patricia
I had a student I suspected of cheating and also received two tips and signed statements by two other students that while taking the midterm exam the student was actually cheating from her notes, so not to embarass the student during class or cause a big comotion. I waited untitl the exam was completed by all the students, I graded the exam and gave back to the students and I placed a zero and note on her exam that she was cheating, so when she got her exam back she wanted to talk to the department head; which I had already brought the situatuion and proof to the deparment head attention and the student received the zero grade for midterm exam. I think the teacher should not have to do a retroactive assessment due to the fact cheating is not tolerated per college policy.
It really would depend on how your classes are structured. We have a modular system where it continuously new information from module to module.
To go rertoactive and assess knowledge on information that is not constantly reviewed be a bit unfair, depending on the age/class. However, it would give you an idea of how much they have retained and if that may have a bearing on why they have cheated.
