Stan,
this is one method that I use as well, and it works well.
Ruth Armstrong
On some of my exams, I allow the students 10 minutes to review their answers with the text. I let them know I will be watching them so I know when they will begin their 10 minutes. This way they know I am always watching and hence have had no problems with cheating on exams.
I give them multiple forms of tests, and I sit on my desk instead of behind it so that I can see more students. I also gaze around the room, catching people's eyes periodically when they look up. If they know I'm looking around they know I'll see them.
How to deal with "cell phones & blackberries"
during test-time,has been an issue. Teachers may deal with them in different ways. Personally, I require them to be "completely out
of sight" (in pocket, handbag, schoolbag).
As far as testing is concerned, I have always mixed versions of the test and separated students. Sometimes i move them to other classrooms
Hi Justin,
Cell phones must be taken into consideration as a tool that is being utilized for cheating. I have them clear the desk of everything, including cell phones and water bottles.
Patricia
Hi Kathryn,
I also make my students take everything off of their desk, including cell phones.
Patricia
I make students sit with a seat between them during quizzes.
I let my students know on their first day of class that I will not tolerate any form of cheating. I address all consequences so that everyone is aware. If space allows, I have students sit with at least one chair between them. I feel that walking around the room increases anxiety in the already nervous student, so I try to avoid "patrolling". I monitor closely and call attention to suspicious activity (cell phones, extra papers, etc.).I do not have many issues with cheating because I am very firm in the beginning with my rules against it.
As an instructor of English and Composition, students have writing assignments every class period that are require individual information, experiences and/or recollection of events. These writing assignments are individual in response, and I require planning documents and rough drafts that are checked at different intervals throughout the class. Students are encouraged to help one another, and the final grade for the assignment is given after individually going over each part with the student. There is no reason or opportunity to cheat in this environment.
By spreading the students arond the room to give generous spacing between students and separate them from their personel belongings whenever possible. Also I monitor exams as I would any other project or assignment by moving around the room and making myself avalable to answer questions that may arise. Last but not least all cell phones are turned off.
Before I hand out the test, I make the students aware that their eyes need to be on their own paper, if not I will take the test and they will receive a zero. I make different versions of the test, little time consuming but it works. I have the students clear their desk completely. They are not allowed to use cell phones as calculators or have the cell phone on the table pocket, etc... (The popular way to cheat right now, at least at our school, is to put the cell phone on the lap with the answers on the screen.)And the final thing I do is walk around the room during a test.
My biggest problem was plagerism. I learned the hard way to make sure that my students save their work on their flash drives instead of in their student folders on our server. Anytime I am teaching a class that requires writing, my students are required to carry a flash drive. If I suspect that the students have shared work, then we have to discuss the involvement of both parties and the responsibility each has.
Leslie
I really like this idea of giving short essay test to minimize cheating! Thanks Patricia!
I believe this as well. Cheating students fail to study so cheating seems to be a quick way out of a poor grade. But if these students get away with cheating enough, he or she may find this an easy way through school and will cheat themselves out of a true education.
Hi Robert,
It's always questionable in the online environment who really does the work...
Patricia
Hi Diane,
It is really unfair for those who put forth great effort to study and others cheat their way through. It will all come back to haunt the cheater sooner or later.
Patricia
I find that quiet a few students cheat. Usually a student who studies will let me know if someone is cheating. Standing in the back of the room tends to eliminate this.
Diane Allen
Two ways that I try to reduce student cheating involve a test seating chart for students and having multiple test keys.
Students are seated to two per 8 foot table for the seating chart. I work in a lab environment and therefore have mostly group work in the classroom. Having the students space themselves out puts 'wandering eyes' at a disadvantage.
Testing situations sometimes involve multiple answer keys in the event that the class is above 12 people or involving multiple classes throughout the day. With class sizes around 16, I can use different test keys if needed.
No such options in an online teaching environment, but then again we have no tests.
