Cheating Students
I usually get this out first day of class. I tell students that I like to run a mostly informal class and I encourage a free spirited learning enviroment. BUT, I tell them if I catch them cheating, they will fail. I tell them that if they cheat in here (the classroom) the will cheat out there (in the world),and the last thing we need in the world are more cheaters. This usually works and I have no problems.
I discuss the ramnifications of cheating on the first day. Additionally, we discuss how unethical it is and how cheating hinders learning. If you cheat your way through the course, and become called upon to retriece any of the knowledge needed to complete a task; the student won't have the tools because he/she never learned because cheating compromises overall learning.
i agree with you ; it's hard to ignore this situation. I'm trying to deal with cheating students in my class as more than just addressing the ethical issue itself
