In our technical career services. student come by himself to learn and then get a job. At beginning I tell them the only way to be success is to learn and then tell them if any body wants grade I may do that but it is not help you get a job or keep the job. so you should learn to be success.
As a school the majority of instructors provide three versions of the same test. Meaning that every test uses the same questions but with random placement throughout the exam. This method has greatly limited the ability of students to copy from either side of them. Another method I have also employed is letting students know upfront my opinions on cheaters and that I work better with a struggling student than one that mask his true skill set with deception.
I was surprised that one of the ways we do this was not mentioned at all in the section on cheating. Is the course assuming paper tests?
If you use a test bank with many questions you can pull 10 random questions from a pool of let's say 20. Students may not get the same questions. Also if you randomize the order it prevent them from looking at question 1 on someone else's test and choosing the same letter.
Hi Michael,
Peparing various versions of a test is painless due to the ease of software/technology.
Patricia Scales
I like to give critical thinking questions. this way everyone should have a different response to the question in various forms of the topic.
I have 2 methods to reduce cheating in the classroom. The first, is too use multiple versions of the test. The other is to remind students before each exam about the consequences of cheating on exams.
I agree with most of the posts on here. Questions arranged in different orders tests the same information; so the test is fair. Additionally, it is easy to prepare with computer word processing programs now.
Hi Brandy,
Great tactics to utilize to minimize cheating. I have my students put their cell phones out of sight.
Patricia Scales
One way that I try to reduce cheating in my classroom is by giving out two different versions of a test. Because of how big my class can be sometimes, I don't always have the opportunity to separate the students. I started making two versions of a test to discourage students from trying to cheat off of one another. Another way that I try to reduce cheating is by having the students place their cell phones face down on their desks so that I can see it at all times. This keeps the students from trying to sneak access to their phone, which could have the answers on it.
Hi Joseph,
Cell phones can certainly be used as a cheating tool during testing. Have cell phones put out of sight during test time.
Patricia Scales
Making more than one version of a test works well.
Also walking around the classroom when the students are taking a test and watching what they are doing. Now with everybody having cell phones I have them turn them off. I have found students texting each other the answers.
I found a student cheating on a final exam. She requested to take the exam in private because she has a hard time concentrating around other people, she had photocopied the exam book an put it in her pocket. Needless to say no student takes the exams alone.
One thing I have done to discourage cheating is to ask students to sit next to someone they do not normally sit next to during the regular class time. That way, if they are expecting to cheat off of their neighbor, their regular neighbor won't be sitting next to them.
I give quizzes every week and I am usually not engaged in any other activities except the classroom during the exam that way I usually have an a good eye on the entire class.
Our iPad learning management system has the ability to scramble the test questions as well as scramble the test answers. Therefore, each student gets a different test.
I have multiple versions of my exams and I alternate the distribution. In addition, I reassign seats on the day of major exams.
To reduce cheating I have printed the test on colored paper and have everything off the desk. If there is anything on the desk of a different color I will investigate.
Specifically speaking of testing situations, we space the students out and place a barrier (poster board tri-folded) between them.
Hi Brian,
Yes, this is it! Electronic devices are way too tempting during test time. Electronic devices must not be visible during test time.
Patricia Scales
Ban electronic devices, walk the room, and multiple versions of the test.
