Being a college level instructor for 4+ years, I think that the best way to reduce cheating is constant vigilance in order to reduce any possible opportunities that the students may have to cheat. Watching them carefully during assessments & making sure that they sit with lots of elbow room inbetween them. Additionally, making known the school's policy regarding cheating at the beginning of every course and occassionally reminding the students of the policy helps remind them that they are constantly being monitored.
Frequent warnings regarding the consequences of cheating.
Hi YuLong,
I like your strictness. You never know what a student is doing when he/she exits the room while testing to SUPPOSEDLY use the restroom.
Patricia Scales
Giving the students a different test but the same subject. Spreading the students out if possible. Walking around the class letting the students know that you are watching at all times.
I have found that making a test A and test B and alternating those every other student has really cut down the cheating and the temptation to cheat.
I have really only known one or two students who were cheating blatantly. They just needed to know that I was aware and paying attention and it brought that to an end, if not their classmates would definitely have something to say. I have had others whose eyes just wander and need to be focused or maybe a stress factor should be included in that. I have known a few that 'accidentally' left notes in view, but I am trusting and work my life as if everyone else would do what I'd do. But I learned that the key to cheating is 'opportunity' not always laziness or lack of knowledge. These guys can become VERY creative, talented and experienced when trying to get out of work.
There are several ways to reduce the opportunity for cheating in class. One way to do this is by administering different versions of the test. Another way to reduce cheating is by walking around the class during the exam. Remind the students before the test that cheating is not permitted and to not give the perception of cheating. A final way to reduce the opportunity to cheat is to keep a watchful eye on the students during the test.
I require a sterile environment - no cell phones and all backpacks, etc. placed in the back of the classroom. While the test is in process, no one can leave the room. I require a space in between each student even if it means bringing extra tables into the class.
That is a great question. I believe the answer begins with a clear explanation of policies. From there, I turn to the exams. I use different versions of exams to deter cheating. I announce that to the class as well, to discourage students from cheating. In the classroom, I space students out within the class to deter cheating.
When I make a test we have a program that will scramble the test so I have an A test and a B test. I will give students that sit beside each other a different test. One will get A and one will get B.
Moving students to an every other seating arrangments. Giving multiple versions of the same exam.
We have a cheating/plagarism policy posted for all students and it is covered the first day in every class. In my computer courses, often times a computer is used to take the test. In these types of classes, it is covered from day one, reviewed before each test, and written on each test that they are to use the computer to take the test but that no other applications are to be running during the test. All personal items (purses, phones, etc.) are not allowed to be on the desk except pen/pencil and test. I stand in the back of the room so I can see all computer screens. I also make every attempt to scatter students as much as possible to make it difficult to see other computer screens.
I tbhink having multiple versions of the same test is one of the better ways to reduce cheating, but from a big picture standpoint building rapport and trust is the best way. If your students have a rapport and trust with you then they will not want to cheat in your classroom.
i make various versions of tests and tell them that i will at the beginning of my class introduction, this forces the student to be prepared
Multiple versions of the test is one of the most effective ways to reduce cheating. I typically position myself in the back of the classroom. This makes cheaters very uncomfortable as they cannot track your movements.
I change where I sit/stand during the test so I can see everyone which deters cheating since the students know I can see them. I don't do other work or grading while a test is administered.
Hi Debra,
These are good practices to follow to minimize cheating.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jay,
This is always a good practice and has proven to be very effective over the years.
Patricia Scales
There are 2 ways that I work to reduce the opportunity for cheating in my class. First, I seperate the students and make sure all materials are off the desktops. I also scan the room frequently from a set location. I usually am in the front of the classroom, however, upon completion of this course, I may move to the back of the classroom.
Hi Heather,
I concur! I have known some instructors to pull the group in that have the same wrong answers consistently to tell them what he/she suspects, but the students are not penalized, and normally this works, and the students begin to produce their own work.
Patricia Scales
