I teach technology. I usually have a two part test. The test will consist of a practical part when possible and a theoretical part. The practical part I allow them to use their notes and books but they cannot share it has to be their own. In that situation it is in hope that it will encourage them take notes. The theoretical part is in electronic format is where they cannot use their notes or book. With the electronic testing I am able to scramble both the questions and answers, therefore making it harder for them to cheat. Also on the test I remind them that they may not ask the audience, no dialing a friend, or 50/50. All questions are to be directed to the instructor and eyes on their own screen.
I always create alternate versions of quizzes and exams. When this is not possible, since my classroom is on the smaller side, I will split the class in half, sending one half to another room and borrowing another instructor to proctor the exam for that 1/2 of the class. This way, I can ensure that there is enough room between students that their temptation to look at their neighbor's paper is vastly reduced.
I love this idea but how do you find the time to do that?
Hi Charles,
It is good to know that you will be better prepared to watch out for cheaters the next time you administer a test. These tactics really do curtail cheating.
Patricia Scales
I learned a lot from this course on cheating students. I am going to stand at the back of the room when they are taking the test and separate students when there are empty seats.
Hi Karla,
Great! It is always good to be up and on your feet when students are testing so that they know you are fully aware as to what they are doing.
Patricia Scales
I have not taught any online classes, but if you can set some time-limit on the test and timer to log-out after 1-2 min. of inactivity.
That might help.
Nisha
I make sure students are spaced out enough so eyes can't roll and wonder. I also walk around during testing to make my presence known to prevent any attempts to cheat.
Depending on the class there are different methods that we have come up with to deture cheating. For some classes, we have several different versions of the test, in others we seperate the students, have them clean off their desks and give them a timed test. There is even a testing room that can be used for large classes that makes it very difficult to cheat. For me, it is a matter of getting them to understand that cheating only hurts them and no ones else, and that if they are caught it can permanently damamge their ethics grade.
To reduce cheating in class I set very hard time limits on exams, randomize questions and answers. Let students know that I can see and will be recording their screen activity. Write answers that require thorough knowledge of the material.
I would tend to agree with randomly selecting my student's seats for the exam. Also, I would never give the exact same test over and over. Varying the questions from Term to Term eliminates the chance that a student studied from one of my previous tests.
I like the idea of giving the students different test. All test have the same exact answers but just in different orders. This makes it fair for everyone. Also, standing the back of the room works very well. You can really get a feel for what is going on.
I also ask the students if they have any questions before getting started. Going over a few key points before a test helps to ease tension in the room.
Sherri
I know that I can't ever catch everything.
My approach has focused on reducing the potential of their feeling like they need to cheat.
I do my best to thoroughly help them get ready, to own the information. I cover the material and point out things that are likely to turn up on quizes as well as the national exam. Often I rephrase what I just stated as a fact in the form of a question to help them turn their thinking toward filling in the blank.
I review with them at the end of class what they need to study for the test next time.
On days when a student is particularly stressed about a quiz I have taken a few minutes to let the class discuss what they learned from the reading and get everyone on the topic (with their vocabulary triggered!) before having them clear their desks and take the quiz or test.
Cell phones are the biggest problem, as a cheating tool or just as a distraction. We cover that at the start of every class... They need to have them out of sight while we are meeting or inform me specifically at the beginning of class about why they need to be reachable.
Kathy
I would create a seating chart that moves that student to the front of the class. This will not look like i am just moving him
I will often quietly walk up & down the rows as quizes are being taken rather than turning my back & getting involved in other work
I try not to put the students in that situation. Using different versions of the same test helps. Spreading the students out as much as possible also works. No electronic devices are allowed during testing. Everything off the desk.
Where possible I arrive early and stay late to make those students who are unsure of themselves that they will have the time needed.
Because I use heavy essay as opposed to objective testing I always use anti-plagiarism technology. When I do give tests I make sure it is never the same test twice, I scrambled the answers and make alternating keys for different tests.
I have my students keep their cell phones on the desk, but far away from them. That way, I'm reducing the students who use their smartphones to cheat.
Making several different tests with scrambled questions will let the student know i am aware of the possibility of cheating and that it wont be tolerated.
Hi Verna,
Great tactics to use to deter cheating. If I feel I have a cheating student, I will purposely give every student the same test, and I casually watch this student if I am not paying closing attention, I catch the cheating student, and then the student is reprimanded.
Patricia Scales
