Cheating Students
Should open-book exams benefit students and deter them from cheating?
Hi Joseph,
Great lesson taught here based on the way your field works.
Patricia
I have found that open hand written note exams are much more effective for my students because they have to take the time to write out information. That does mean that they can't use photocopies or powerpoint slides or typed papers, and since they are handwritten, their hand will get tired so they try to keep the nots shorter. I also give a time limit to the test, so they are motivated to know how to find things quickly and generally organize their notes and thus thoughts better. In my field, knowing where to find the answer when you don't know it off the top of your head, is just as important .
If a student has to cheat on a take home test then they are just plain lazy! I teach at a culinary school where the students are learning to enter a profession that is all hands on work with long hours. I tell my students that if you are lazy then this profession is not for you, at least that is if you wish to be successful, and that you may want to reevaluate your career choice. There will be no one to cheat from when you enter the industry. Believe in you abilities and do your own work. You will be glad you did.
In an intro Psychology course at my school I've often given students the choice between an open book test with no study guide, or a study guide with closed book. Every time, almost unanimously, study guide is chosen.
In fact, when I've given the same test open book as opposed to the test that they had a study guide to go by, I've noticed the grades were lower on the open book. Personally, I always excelled at open book tests yet I think those of us who did excel may be the exception rather than the rule.
Students generally do not perform as well on open book test due to the fact they are looking for the answer word for word on in the book. With traditional test students try to apply and reason what they have learn to answer the questions and formulate their own "word for word in the book"
Hi Quinn,
If an exam is open book, students are not motivated to commit the learning to memory, simply because it is in the book.
Patricia
I also believe open book exams could be a little more challenging. In speaking of time students could generally take longer searching for answers. I don't know if it would benefit students in retaining the information they have learned.
In general i believe open-book exams can benefit students but many students feel open-book exams are harder. Some preconceived notion that they are always designed to be more difficult.
I mix it up and do give them the opportunity for open book work but if cheating is a problem I try and walk around during the work.
Hi Lynnette,
In my opinion open book exams do deter students from cheating. Each student is different, some students may actually benefit from an open-book exam.
Patricia
