Everybody has a cell phone these days and people can't set in class without intermittently looking at their phones during class. When I have a test I make my students put their phones on top of the desk face down. It is working for now.
Brenda Williams
I agree. Different exams. Also, have questions that require a written thought, not just multiple choice,true false, etc. Sitting students at opposite ends of tables and spread out also helps. Try to encourage students ahead of time that if they cheat, they are truly giving themselves a disservice by not knowing the material. Eventually they will have to know the material to pass a Licensing Exam
Hi Chris,
Great tactics to utilize to deter cheating. I also like to create different versions of the test to minimize cheating.
Patricia Scales
Reducing the opportunities students have to cheat can usually reduce the temptation for them to do so. I agree with the many suggestions here, that positioning students in the class room and providing several versions of the exam makes cheating a difficult behavior. Tomorrow I am taking it a few steps further to address a suspected cheating student by placing dividers between students and having them cover their papers while taking their exam. It is my intention to send a clear signal to all students that cheating will not be tolerated.
I believe first and foremost is not to give the student an opportunity to cheat. Some students will go to great lengths to not learn the objectives. Some alternatives that may discourage cheating are: 1.) develop a rapport so each student understands and appreciates discipline, 2.) assist with helping the students feel appreciated and respected, 3.) spread students out within the classroom setting so they are not tempted to look at another’s paper.
I have an easy way to mix up the seating chart on test days. This will not stop a student from looking at a neighbor's work, but it will ensure that there are no "buddies" working as a pair or team to cheat together: Number each test, and put them in front of each student chair. Print out small slips numbered the same as the tests, one number to each slip. Put the slips in a container. As students file in for the test, they take a slip and sit where the corresponding test number is located.
I have my students spread out, with barriers in between them. I also sit in the back of the room.
In the past, I have presented my program director with undeniable written proof of cheating, and nothing was done, because the school administration would ALWAYS take the student's word over that of an Instructor. They ignored the written documentation of the changed answers and the scantron photocopy that was made BEFORE the answers were changed. It is very discouraging when the administrators do not ever support the Instructor and the students know they can get away with any thing they like, with no consequences.
I am glad to have a new job where the administration values and respects their staff, and will discipline students appropriately when needed. So far, I have not had any incidences of cheating in my class.
One of the ways to reduce the possibility of cheating could be to make sure they know in advance what the test or quiz is based upon and make the questions relate to task oriented objectives
I also like the different versions of exams, and allow students not to take same exam if they miss the exam.
Besides the multiple tests forms and every other seat, we also have oral portions built into the tests and the students don't know which tests may have an oral portion. It's done just one student at a time in a seperate room with no students present. The students must prepare better and thus reduces the desire to cheat.
I think separating groups that normally associate with each other is a great idea, along with handing out different portions of the test at a time. I will be trying this for my next class.
If the class seats permits, I seat the student to every other seat. I also stand infront of the class and keep an eye an all students. When the class size is larger, we have an another instructor come in to watch the back of the class, while I remain in the front. This has really work for us.
Hi Yvonne,
Difficult, almost impossible to cheat if different versions of the tests are being utilized. A cluttered-free desk is also smart when students are testing.
Patricia Scales
Hi Allison,
Different versions of the test is really a great way to help with cheating. I even make it known to students that your test is not going to be like your neighbor's test.
Patricia Scales
Depending on the size of the class, I always create quiz/test A & B, rearranged and or different so that when the students attempt to look on each other's paper they won't see the same that is on theirs. They can't cheat. I also make them take everything off of their desk except a pen or a pencil. I often use scantrons as well.
By following the recommedation of creating different versions of the test, it has given me the ability to
stay at the back of the room quitely watching without having to move about. It has truly eliminated the roaming eyes of the students.
Awesome Idea, however, with a large class, I would need a few scantrons to use for papers. Love the idea. My approach is having the students sit every other chair.
I have found that creating a Test A and a Test B works best along with printing the tests out on different colored paper.
Sit in the back of the room. Wipe desks off prior to the start of class in case answers have been written on the desk. Observe student behavior during test.
