Reducing student cheating
What are some ways you can reduce the opportunity for cheating in your classes?
I am fortunate that I have a big enough classroom and a small enough class that I can spread the students out so that they are not sitting directly next to each other. I also like to mix up the questions on each test, that way everyone gets the same test but the questions are in different order for everyone. I think that on the first day of class having a class discussion about cheating and how the only person that is being cheated by cheating is the student helps a lot. This helps students grab ahold of their learning and hopefully helps to instill that they can get through the class without the "illegal" help of a friend.
Melissa Katsanos
by moving around the classsroom when they are taking tests and showing them that you are giving them 100% atention. students Cheat when they feel like they have and upper hand because the intsructor is not paying atention.
I require students to sit at separate tables and the exams are retained by the program. Students may review their exam but must turn it back in to me.
I do not always have the luxury of a room large enough to space out students for testing. However, I usually try to monitor the class carefully. By giving them different versions of the same test, you can reduce the risk of cheating.
arrange the class so they are not sitting close together.
Stand in the back of the room so you can watch the class.
Stay involved in the class by moving around. Make eye contact with students so they know you are paying attention.
I have to admit that I cheated in grade school when I had the opportunity. I agree completely with the course when they say that cheaters cheat because they have the opportunity.
I like to place my students far away from one another. I also like that the class said to make the exams subjective.
I think by showing interest in the students while they're testing, you can help keep cheating at bay.
That is an awesome idea and I will see if our program will allow me to do that. I have tried separating some students, walking around and having them clear everything off their tables.
One of the ways that I reduce student cheating in my classroom is by giving them open book and open note exams. Doing so may sound like it would be relatively easy for all or most of them to earn As, but I actually learned how to write multiple choice questions at different levels of critical thinking through the application level (i.e., knowledge, comprehension, and application). I provide students with a study guide about a week or so prior to each exam, but I do not tell them that it is going to be open book and open note until the day of the exam. I structure it this way in the hopes that they will prepare/study for it so that they won't have to look up every single question since they don't have time to do so. I also structure it this way so that if they did prepare/study, the book and notes provide a "security blanket." Those who did not prepare or study are still not likely to perform well on my exams because of the different levels of critical thinking multiple choice questions. However, letting them use their notes and books takes away any motivation/desire/need to cheat because they are allowed to use their resources.
By careful observation and spacing of students during testing. The use of multiple tests , with different layout , using multiple test key is a good deterrent when it explained to the students that all the tests are different.
I prepare my students with all the knowledge they need to pass the tests. I also walk around my class through out the test to ensure there is no eye wandering. Before I start the test, I have the students remove everything off their desks, except for a pen or pencil, including cell phones. By doing this, I am giving the students no opportunity to cheat.
As stated by others, we also prepare several versions of a test. We do not have enough space in our classroom to move students apart, so they are sitting right next to each other and having alternating versions of a test helps to reduce the opportunity for cheating to take place. In addition, myself and our other instructors place ourselves in one location for the majority of the exam so that we can readily view all of the students and their actions.
I start by making all students remove all objects from the table other than a pencil. If a calculator is needed they can only use a calculator, not their phone as a calculator. I have the students spread out in class so no one is sitting next to them and I have 2 different quizzes so that if a person is within eye shot of the exam it wont do them any good as they other test might be different from theirs.
Hi Shelly,
I have also found that if essay tests are used, it makes it harder for students to cheat although I understand essay tests are not as easy to grade.
Patricia Scales
Give two different test so that the people sitting next to each other will not have the same test.
Use scantron because it is harder to cheat from.
Hi Vicki,
Normally these type phrases do help with students not cheating.
Patricia Scales
I explain cheating is not acceptable before an exam with phrases like "keep your eyes on your own paper and remember you neighbor may not have the right answer, so apply your own knowledge."
Hi Lance,
I have known instructors to change the numbering and give the same test to everyone, and this tactic has proven to reduce cheating.
Patricia Scales
I really like the idea of standing in the back of the room.
