I have battled this problem for a long time now.The student's are getting craftier and more educated on how to cheat!If the would use their cleverness just to study for the exam, they would do well.My first step to curb cheating is to collect all cell phones at the beginning of a test.Then I rearrange their seating.Also,sometimes I have a test a and b multiple choice,in which both tests are the same,but the order of the answers is different.This works for me.
Hello Ms. Scales,
I have mixed feelings on being overt about cheating prevention, but I have scrambled test questions and purposefully distributed the tests so that wandering eyes were not as easily able to copy answers correctly.
Yes, I also spread the students out a bit sometimes.
The way I reduce the possibility of cheating in my class is I give test or quizzes that are different to each other such as Test A, Test B , Test C. And when i am creating my test they all I mix up the answers as well as the questions. So they are not all in order and reduces students from even trying to look at the partners paper. I have found that way to be very helpful.
The way that I reduce cheating in my class is that all students must put away all of their stuff in their bags including cell phones and place them in the front of the room. The students are separated by a chair, and there are several versions of the test, as well as the classroom is set up in assigned seating.
Some ways tor educe the opportunity of students cheating in class are the following :
- discuss and make clear classroom expectations of the course and emphasize the importance of honesty in success
- provide a clear instruction of what students need to do and not allowed to do prior and during exams or quizzes
- create two sets of exams containing the same questions but the numbering are rearranged in each set
- have someone proctor the exam/quiz
- set a time limit for the exam/quiz
Hi Kimberly,
It is hard to identify cheaters in an online course. You can only speculate when the work doesn't seem to be based on their academic level. The checkers are the only things that come to my mind.
Patricia
Teaching online classes makes cheating a possibility unless handled well. I revolve questions from question pools, and I rotate assignments on a regular basis so students will not use assignments from past classes easily. I also keep an eye out for solutions available on Internet sites, which happens a lot in my programming classes.
Kurt
Being an online instructor, this area definitely has it's challenges. Does anyone have any suggestions for identifying "cheaters" aside from plagiarism checkers?
Hi Maria,
I like the humor! I am certain every educator will support this bill other than the cell phone bill.
Patricia
I have given my students study guides in the past to help them be more prepared for the examination.
Also, I use my environment to my advantage. I have the students move to different tables and they must have at least 1 chair between them. Also, at the start of our class, I tell the students what my expectations are for exams. They know that there is no items of any kind on the table during a exam. The only item they are allowed is the writing implement that they intend to use for the examination. I have found that I have very little cheating in my classes. At least I have never caught anyone cheating that is.
Yeah...misuse of these technological devices is hurting their learning process. No matter how hard we restrict it, it still is happening. I know this is wishful thinking or may even sound funny, but if they passed a bill on this (other than a cellphone bill, haha), I'd support it.
Hi Maria,
That's right! We need to stick with the old school way so to speak. These personal technological devices can be a BIG distraction in the classroom.
Patricia
I make two sets of exam...and I do tell my students that there are two sets.
Hi Tameral,
I like your effort in reducing cheating. These are great tactics to utilize. I especially like how you change your exams every semester.
Patricia
You are right. I don't even allow them to have their iPods, cellphones, on their desk. I don't want to see anything but their test paper and a pen.
I create an environment that will make them think twice before they cheat. However, to my surprise, even with cameras inside the classroom, most students still do it.
My most effective strategy is creating three different versions of any test. I realy take time to do this to make it impossible for students to share answers even to objective questions like multiple choice, true or false, etc. My students already know that when they take my test, looking at somebody else's paper is one sure way to get the wrong answer.
I normally have several different assessments going around in the class. So no students sitting next to each other will have the same exam. Also, I change my exams every semester. That eliminates the circulation of exams as well.
I ran into a situation with a student about cheating. I walk through my class so the students wont try, but some still do. This studnet wasn't a good grade student quiz and assignment grades were below average, yet her grade on her final was a high 90. I didnt want to assume anything but its hard not to. How do you handle that.
During tests & quizzes I often circulate & observe the students behavior. From Module 3 I have learned the observation is important, but the circulating may make the students nervous, so I will change that behavior.
A test rule is that desktops must be cleared; cell phones, pagers or other devices must be stowed away.
I also remind my test takers that they are adults & professionals; they know this material and there is no reason to cheat.
Hi Phyllis,
That's right, sitting is not a role that instuctors should partake in.
Patricia
