Hi Tracy,
There are great consequences for cheating, and you are right on point. At my institution here are established consequences:
-Fail the course
-Suspended from school with the right to appeal
-Expelled from school
-Loss of placement privileges
-Documentation in student's record
Patricia
Of course it's always a good idea that you inform the students of the consequences of cheating. Unfortunately students do not really understand the consequences until they have been caught and feel the forces of the systems they are bearing down on them. Additionally we could quite possibly be dealing with habits that have developed during their high school years, as well as a very strong need excel in a particular course. I really think it's more important for the students to understand that I grade is a measurement of how well they are doing in the course but at the same token do we have a measurement of how well they understand the material in the course?
This is very true. I change tests often, not only to prevent cheating from class to class, but also to improve the test. Sometimes you just find poor, or poorly worded questions.
I let the students know how grave the consequences are for cheating. It is important for them to know that they may jeopardize their educational opportunities, thereby delaying achievement of their short or long term goals. I also like to use examples of cheating to reiterate that ultimately, they cheat themselves and what purpose does that really serve?
I also all have instituted this form of testing material. I looked us to the snow, up front so that they do not attempt to cheat on tests and I let them know that it's not that I don't trust them. It's just that I'm trying to eliminate the opportunity for a cheating situation an embarrassment to the people around them. It's worked very well for me and I'm quite satisfied in doing it.
Hi James,
Monitoring itself minimizes cheating.
Patricia
Hi James,
Go for it!
Patricia
In a particular instance I had one of my online students share a story in a forum. The student mentioned that a coworker was caught plagiarizing and was expelled from school. Since the organization that the student worked for was providing funding that allowed participation in the course, the student was subsequently terminated from their place of employ as well. While this is an extreme case, it never hurts to proffer such stories during the colloquium to elucidate the severest repercussions of cheating. This leaves the student with an issue to contemplate and perhaps elicits more care, concern and honor from them as no student desires to be "that guy."
Honor codes work very well. I also attempt to stress the fact that students are spending money for the course and their education. Cheating invalidates all of the effort, time and money that one spends attempting to rise to the top of the craft. Also that if one cheats to garner an achieved position, eventually the skill set will be put to the test. Being embarrassed or in some cases terminated under those conditions is quite undesirable.
That is a great plan. I appreciate the way that you take the ability away from them. Since this forum is pertaining to cheating, do you mind if I respectfully request permission to steal that idea from you?
I like that technique. It works well and seems to keep student's eyes on their own papers as well as causes them to study prepare for the exam. As a secondary strategy, I do not move throughout the classroom during a test, but I like to observe. If a student looks up at me, I make brief eye contact with the student (approx. 1-2 seconds) so that they realize I am monitoring but not staring.
To reduce student cheating you must reduce opportunity. Set up the room to eliminate the chance of seeing each others papers. If this is not possible then use different versions of the test so that answers won't line up with their neighbors.
Using a test bank can make creating various tests very easy(various software available to create test banks).
Another way to reduce student cheating is to keep an eye on the students, sit in the back of the room so they can't see where you are watching but they can feel your presence watching behind them, this will deter them from trying to see their neighbors test.
Hi Joe,
My students are so accustom to skipping every other seat on test day, I do not have to even announce it anymore. I like the idea of telling them the day before to decrease chaos.
Patricia
Hi Shereene,
What have you done in your classes to deter cheating?
Patricia
I do what several others do, in that I use the same questions, but use them in different sequences throughout the test. Sitting in the back of the room is another strategy I use. It is a great way to observe. I do believe if students know you are watching they are less likely to cheat. In addition, I never use the same test twice. Each time I teach a class, I make up a different test.
I think that these are awesome pointers that should be utilized by all instructors. I will definitly implement these suggestions because I think they will help reduce or possibly eliminate cheat in my class.
Remove any opportuities for cheating.
1) walk around the room
2) Provide space to spread out
3) Provide alternative versions of the same test
4) Rework tests on a regualr basis
5) Reiterate "Professionalism" with the class.
6) ALter the seating, rearrange for tests.
7) Provide "Open Book" tests, so that it fosters research, familiarity of content, and now the student must rely on their own abilities to find the info.
I usually warn them the day before a test that I will require them to sit every other chair on test day. This cuts down on the confusion on test day. If I do this for the entire class then there is no issue. I also like to walk around and casually patrol the room during the first 10 minutes or so.
I have found if I put them at seperate tables or place them every other chair and I walk around while they are taking the test
I am always in class during written tests I also have different versions of the test so students cant memorize the answer format
