I make sure that there is sufficient space between students' desks and no material on or around desks.
Hi Janet,
Yes, I've discovered this as well. This is a sure way to know that students cheated.
Patricia
Hi Stephanie,
Great idea! This is certainly a way to reduce cheating.
Patricia
Most of my tests in my computer lab classes are delivered to students via the computer, I scramble the test questions. Also, when I give paper tests, I copy the tests on different color paper to give the impression that the students are taking a different test version even though they are not.
I have been doing this as well. A few different tests with the same difficulty level, but different scenarios. I am catching them dicussing their respective problems, a kind of learning experience.
As a "typing" teacher turned "word processing" teacher, I soon discovered that printing two copies of someone's assignment (with name changed on the second copy) was an easy way to cheat. However, I caught many cheaters over the years because, as you said above, I found the very same errors on both copies. Gotcha!
I guess, when I decided to read through this thread, I was hoping that someone had access to a magic solution. It sounds like just using good common sense and monitoring the class can help to eliminate or reduce cheating on tests. One situation that I run across repeatedly has to do with a medical transcription class, where the cheating comes in a different form -- the student will either ask another student for copies of their transcribed reports, or they may just "borrow" the student's flashdrive and take they work they want right off of it. One thing I do is explain at the start of the quarter that these are also considered cheating, and it at least makes the more vulnerable students aware that a mor savvy student may cheat in that way. I also make them aware that it brings their own work into question when I have two copies of the reports that contain exactly the same errors. Any other ideas in this area would be most welcome!
Hi James,
Preparation is key. Cheating is minimized if a student feels they have been thoroughly prepared for a test.
Patricia
Hi Cicely,
It is very easy and so convenient. You can even save different versions under different names. What was life like without computers?
Patricia
Hi Margilane,
Great tactics to reduce cheating. I simply let my students know that they are being watched.
Patricia
use form A & form B
make sure the seats are spaced out
I like this method. With the help of the computer, a quick copy and paste makes it simple.
Hi Emily,
You are right! They are harder to grade, but we have to do what's best for the students, not what is easiest for us.
Patricia
You can reduce student cheating by the format of your test. Instead of true/false or multiple choice opt for short answer or essay questions.
Spread out student seating when possible. Position myself in back of room and move to any area where there may be a problem. Adminster different versions of tests.
I also stand in the back of the classroom and also walk around...always trying not to have my back to anyone whom I suspect could attempt cheating.
In my word processing classes, I have two versions of the same test, both question/answer tests and application tests. I alternate the test with every other student getting a different version. Looking at the neighbor's test or monitor doesn't help in this scenario.
I use various test forms for each test. The questions are the same but not in the same order
Design your tests to avoid a student looking for answers. He/She should read a paragraph and provide their own answers. Walk around the room and stand in an area that the students know you are there . Prepare your students for the test and make them feel comfortable talking tests.
Perhaps it's a carryover from high school but it seems as if the possibility of being expelled from school carries a tremendous amount of weight when addressing the cheating aspect. This is quite possibly true because for four years they have been subjected to the constant reminder that this could happen to them if they cheated and carries more weight than if they were just going to be removed from the course or receive a zero on the examination.
