I discuss cheating on the first day and inform them that I caught students the previous term, outlining the consequences and how it negatively affects them.
Yes David, good approach. I do pretty much the same. If I catch them cheating, they earn a zero and then we have a "one to one" chat. I find the student is usually embarassed, has other pressures outside of school and hasn't had the proper time to study. Then the student makes a bad decision-to cheat. Like you, I go into the big picture about the lack of personal honor, when bad decisions are made. I rarely see that student try to cheat again in my class.
I am an automotive instructor, and just like any other school, there are those that feel they have to cheat. When i catch a student cheating on a test, they receive a zero on that test. Then we have a conversation where i explain to them that this is not about just passing a test, and how important it is to aquire the knowledge, and skills necessary to be able to work, and compete in the field he or she has chosen.
Sometimes, I bring in a co-worker to help monitor a quiz or test, especially if it is a large class or if I suspect several cheaters. An extra set of eyes really helps.
i make several different copies of the test.
Monitor the student that you think is cheating.
Like many others, I put extra space between students when available. At least one seat or more. I will also make several versions of the test I am giving so that they are not tempted to cheat since the questions are in a different order or different style.
Well this is a tough one, isn't it? You're right, cheaters will always find a way if they are so inclined. I usually present 2 or 3 variations of a test or quiz and alternate them among the students. But before that, I try to change the mindset a little bit. Before I give the first quiz, I ask the students to think ahead to the big picture. I remind them that the same students that would use the lapse in judgement to cheat on my little quiz are the same folks that will fail to take a patient's vital signs and yet, document something in the chart. Some students look horrified and I tell them that yes, this really happens. I usually see a light go on for a couple of them and realize maybe I reached one or two.
As a computer applications instructor, I let the students know on the first day that the computer does not lie. I show them a report that shows the time that an excercise was last modified down to the second. 12:12:00, 12:12:01,12:12:02 would indicate that coping is being done.
The class is in a small computer lab so it is impossible too spread all of the students out so I use an A and a B version of the exam. The questions are the same just in a slightly different order. I did have a problem on a recent exam that I had not taken into consideration. After many classes I had a student to get up and leave the room. I asked him why when he returned and he said that he was not feeling well and had to go to the restroom. Since there was noting that said that one could not leave the room, I let him continue. His grade on the exam was in line with his quiz and homework grades so I noted it as a door that I needed to close for future classes.
by sitting in the back of class
I always have my students put all of their things away. They leave all bookbags at the front of the room as well. My students test at long rows of computers. I have at least one computer in between them and monitor them all the entire test.
Hi Tamara,
You are right! I simply let my students SEE that they are being watched.
Patricia
I try to eliminate the opportunity to cheat by have the same test, but, to ramdomize three test. The students know the test are randomized so no opportunity to cheat. The student are spread out in the class also.
Uf you make your presence known by either standing at the bakc of the class or moving areound, the students would be more concerned about cheating and getting caught.
I agree with walking around during exam time, and
staying towards the back of the room keeping a
watch of the students. They are aware that the instructor is keeping a close eye on them. The
unprepared student will try and have wandering eyes, but by constantly moving around,helps lessen the cheating.
Make all students use cover sheets
In the in class setting, I have always returned graded papers while they are taking tests. This gets me circulating in a non-threatening way. I also have handed out different versions of the test.
In the online setting, I have provided questions set so the questions rotate. Student A will get a different question for question #1 than student B. I also have the multiple choice responses rotated.
Lori
I like to be aware of what my students are doing. This can be difficult with a PC friendly classroom, but active discussion throughout the lecture and my moving around the room help.
Also, with two different versions, make sure that you alternate versions among students so that each student has a different test version. That way, if their eyes do wander, they will be seeing a different version.
