I provide the students with tests where the questions have been scrambled.
use different versions of quizzes or exams
This is also a good way to find out if some one really is cheating. I had several students accuse one student of cheating. I started giving out several versions of the test on more than one occasion. Due to this I found the real issue was student resentment and that the accused student was not cheating at all.
Hello Elizabeth,
Changing tests each term if teaching on ground is a good strategy. This ensures that students will not know what is on the text the next time the course is offered to them.
Hello Instructor Scales,
Some ways to reduce the opportunity to cheat in classes is to issue different tests to students when teaching on ground. In other words about 3 different versions of the test. I know it takes extra time to create them, but it is well worth it.
In order to eliminate the possibilities of cheating, I like to use tests that have the same questions but in a different order (hence, test copies A, B, C, & D). Doing so requires a series of answer keys as well, so it's important that the students place their "test #" on their answer sheet, but it's proven effective.
Make two or three different versions of each test and distribute these randomly.
Walk around and be present.
A certain group of students don’t see that looking at someone else’s test answer sheet as cheating. I use different versions of the test and always let the student’s know that this is how I give tests. I also make sure there is plenty space between the students to take away the ease of sight. Another problem I find that could get out of hand very fast is cell phone use. I have the students turn off their phones as they enter the room for a test. I also state that if they pull out their phone for any reason their test will be a graded a zero. So far this seems to work fine.
By keeping them seperated from each other
I like the tools that the course gave me! I have yet to encounter this in my few months of instruction but now I know what to do if I encounter it.
The way I reduce the cheating is to state it plain and clear...grades on paper do not mean you are smart unless you actually are...the true test with the school I work at is...can you fix a vehicle after you graduate...if not you failed the ultimate test. They seem to respect that.
Sadly in my institution the students are basically elbow to elbow during tests due to class size so controlling eye "wandering" can be a full time job. If I see anyone looking around I instruct the whole class to either look up at the ceiling or at me if their eyes are tired. The use of multiple versions of the test works but really takes some time to grade.
Doug
We have multiple versions of our tests available to us. I some times alternate/shuffle the test versions in front of the class, this way they know in advance the student next to them is not going to have the same version of the test, this helps discourages them from cheating. It makes grading the tests a little more difficult for me, but it gives me a better sense of how the students are retaining the information I'm delivering to them.
I use three different tests and change the seating arrangement before the test begins.
Use mulitple versions of the same test.
i have the students put their books etc. in the back of the class and rearrange the configuration of the desks.
We have learned over the time many ways to try and nip cheating in the behind before it starts.
1. Make multiple tests
2. Move students around right before test
3. Make students leave all bookbags and ect: at the door before they come in.
I have found that short answer tests are effective, I like the idea of using different tests during one class. I like that idea.
I think this is the best way since my class sits so close together and there is no way to move them.
I constantly walk the classroom and monitor it for any kind of malfeasance.
