Hi G.,
That's right! Tests must be monitored. When students are left unattended during testing, you give them the clearance to cheat.
Patricia
yes never leave students unattended
Making sure your students are prepared for exams will help to reduce the need to cheat.
Hi Gina,
Great points made. I don't hover either, but I simply let my students know that they are being watched.
Patricia
Seperate the students. Remove any materials from desk. Ask for all phones to be put up.
Reducing cheating in class--I walk around during testing; I stand for short moments at the back of the class to monitor head movement; I have students clear their desk of everything except the tools they need to complete the test; and, if a "cheat" is missed, if answers are identical (especially wrong answers) to another students' and I feel strongly that they have copied (this pertains especially to computer production classes), I give them a zero for that test.
I have found that changing the questions order works well or the answer choice. I also use different tests throughout the term. I tell the students first day that no one test is alike. This I guess is a sychological thing therefor I really dont have many issues with dishonesty.
Tom
I print multiple versions of the test
During an exam I walk around the room or I make sure to stand at an advantage point. I try to do this in a nonchalant way, I don't want to make my students feel like I am hovering. I realize that if a student wants to cheat, they will find a way. However, if they know at anytime I could walk past them or glance in their direction, this may discourage them from trying to cheat.
What works the best for me is by having a open questions topic for the students and discussing with them on the area that they are not to sure or have concern in. That also gives me an oppertunity to understand the students more in their learning skills.
You can watch over them very closly while the examination is taking place. Look closely at the students for eye contact. The one's that will possible want to cheat will look at you the instructor first to see if you are looking so they can make their move.
When it comes to test taking, you can help reduce the opportunity for cheating in classes by being proactive in walking around and looking around the room; constantly searching back and forth. It can be intimidating if you stand behind the class while they take a test. I mix it up a lot. I also like to find a certain position toward the side of the room where I can see all of my students and what they are writing. By just sitting at your desk and doing something like grading papers, you are in effect telling the students that "opportunity" is all theirs.
Standing in the back of the classroom during quizzes and exams allows you to keep an eye on students.
From the first day of class I address my expectation regarding cheating. Absolutely not tolerated! During exams and quizes, I sit in the back of the class and occasionally walk around.
Follow thru with rules that are set from the beginning. Always be walking around the room as they are test taking.
Students who cheat are only hurting themselves. I let them know that cheating will not only create distrust in my eyes; they will recieve a 0 on the exam when and if caught.
Have different test for each class. Separate students.
If I have a large group of student assign to one class,I will have an activity on the first day that will requires the student to create name plates and write on the inside of the name plate something about themselves. I will use the name plates to assign seating arrange for the schedule tests to be given during the quarter. Another thing I do for test is create a Test A and a Test B and for homework assignments I grade on timeliness and completeness, not on correct answer.
Hi Mary-Jane,
You can tell most of the time when students are trying to cheat. Cheating students will watch your every move, they appear real figidty, they may look up to the ceiling, their eyes may begin to wander, etc.
Patricia
If space allows, have at least one open seat between each student. Also, having multiple versions of the tests will decrease cheating. Each version will contain the same questions, just in a scrambled order. This will make it harder for students to glance at a neighbor's paper. Another thing I do in class is have the class completely clear their desks and laps, except for their writing instrument. When I hand out the tests, I scan the desk tops to ensure nothing is written on the desk. Do not allow hats or soda/drink bottles on the tables because students can write items under the bill of the bill of the cap or the back of the label on the drink. Cell phones must be turned off and put in their backpacks prior to testing. If a calculator needs to be used, a standard school issued calculator will be loaned to the student. Another way students are cheating is by removing pages of their tests after they are handed back to be reviewed. They will take a page or two and have other classmates do the same until they have the whole test to copy to pass to underclassmen. I state to the class that if a page from their test goes missing, they will get a zero. I will randomly check the tests after they are handed in. It discourages the students enough to deter the behavior. Also, changing up the test questions from term to term will decrease the cheating attempts.
