Cheating can be reduced by simply being creative as an instructor. When giving a test, you can rearrange the order of the test or you can make the tests two different colors. This makes the student think there are two different tests, when there isn't.
You as an instructor can also be structured and organized. The students will sit with a space in between each other. You can provide them with the writing tool, blank paper, calculator or anything else they need. You can also have the student remove any excess clothing including hats, scarves, vests, etc.
I believe that walking around the classroom while students are testing can reduce cheating.
Having students understand the purpose of testing for learning assessment. Using two forms of the test. Spacing students, assigned sitting.
Setting up the room prior to an exam is critical. Make sure there is adequate space between the students to discourage cheating. Also, making sure you are present during the exam and actively monitoring will keep most students from attempting to cheat.
Hello all,
I engage my students with constant education about cheating, whether intentional or unintentional, to make them aware of the rules and my expectations. My message to them is cheating diminishes the worth of their educational experience. I believe that when we approach student s from a threatening posture they tune us out. Even worst, some will take on the challenge to seek to complete assignments the wrong way. It’s best to include time management recommendations and stress office hours to cover all basis of cheating.
Reginald
I move around the room during testing
By having students take everything off of their desk and by spreading the class out.
Hi Luis,
I make it as obvious to simply announce to my students that they are being watched during test time. You go to great length to minimize cheating. Super work!
Hi Marlene,
I too walk the classroom. Students need to know that they are being fully monitored. I do not sit while students are testing. I feel like I have more control standing.
Patricia
Hi Susie,
That's right! Let them know that they are being watched.
Patricia
I believe an instructor must do many things to discourage cheating. I create two exams and distribute them to every other person. I walk through the classroom and often stand at the back of the classroom to watch. This also allows students to ask me questions about the exam. I do not allow any materials or electronic devices within reach of students during an exam. When students are finished they turn the exam in to be corrected. Still, I suspect students cheating. However, I must remind myself not to take this personally. The review questions in this course states that a "cheating student breaks my trust as an instructor." This may be true, but more importantly to me, a cheating student tests the system and I must become better at discouraging cheating. One thing I know is that an instructor can only go so far to discourage cheating, because a cheater is a cheater and he or she may be my next investment advisor.
I mix up the format on all quizzes so it makes it extremely difficult to copy off another's paper. Also, I don't just limit cheating to tests. Five out of six of my students this term plagiarized an assignment by cutting and pasting the information from the Internet. After catching this, I advised the school director, then had a lecture on what plagiarismis is. After I did that, I made the students do the assignment over again. Its bad enough when one or two students do it but when your entire class does it, it was really discouraging.
I mix up the format on all quizzes so it makes it extremely difficult to copy off another's paper. Also, I don't just limit cheating to tests. Five out of six of my students this term plagiarized an assignment by cutting and pasting the information from the Internet. After catching this, I advised the school director, then had a lecture on what plagiarismis is. After I did that, I made the students do the assignment over again. Its bad enough when one or two students do it but when your entire class does it, it was really discouraging.
I like to give them questions that they need to analyze and apply what they learned in class in an industry situation. Usually short essays. doesn't matter if they look at the student on the side... all essay will not look the same.
Depending on what topic I am assessing, I might have different versions of the same test. At times I make it as obvious as having the copies in different colors, so with a quick glance students can see that the tests are different.
With multiple choice tests, I have made copies of the responses before I pass them back to students. There is always someone trying to get the extra point by claiming the "machine" did not read my responses correctly. Students claim they made changes on the test day, the erase mark was miss read.
I usually ask them to circle their questionable response and sign it. I tell them I will take a look at those "questionable" responses latter. Once I have a chance, I compare the student request with the photocopy I have made of the test before.
If the student is correct, the points are awarded, if not I have solid evidence of cheating.
Move around, especially toward the back of the room. Students are less likely to take risks if they know you've got eagle eyes.
I also walk around the clasroom and sometimes position myself at the back of the classroom so no one knows where I am or who I am observing.
Walking around the class as they're taking tests is one way. I also like to give three different versions of the same test. That way, if someone wants to copy from another, the answer would not be correct and it would let me know immediately that they've cheated off each other.
Teaching online makes it difficult to catch students cheating. In my teaching environment I've found that providing constant reminders on where to read or find the information needed to complete the assignment helps.
I have students with small kids...so I allow them to have their phone with them.
I found one of my student cheating and she had the entire textbook in the phone....
