In efforts to deter cheater(s), I put space between students, enough that they would have to turn their heads completely which will indicate the person looking for opportunity; especially if it remains turned for a good period of time.
I've had students in my classes that have not had to face any consequences for cheating in previous classes. It is amazing how hard they work to get out of the "real" work.
I rearrange seats, distribute different versions of the test, and walk around during the test. It is profoundly helpful when the students have questions during the test.
All of the students items must be on the floor or up in the front of the classroom including all phones, drinks, books, everything. Only thing on desk is their pen and nothing else and students are spread to every other seat.
I also let them know to minimize the accusation of cheating to keep their heads down on their paper, no talking, no pencils etc.
I also have several different versions of a test, ecspecially if it is a full classroom and there is no space to spread students out.
Keeping abreast of student success in the matter being taught
We can reduce student cheating by not providing opportunities for the students to cheat. Some strategies include placement of students with enough room between them during tests so the opportunity for cheating is not there. We can create different versions of the tests, or we can prepare tests that are not simply multiple choice, true/false, and fill in the blanks. Very specific essay tests often provide a better opportunity for students to show that they have mastered course content, especially in upper level courses.
Separate the students by at least one seat. All books and materials on the floor including backpacks and purses.Cellphones and other devices off.
Where I work alot of the instructors are in the habit of letting students grade their tests as a class after evryone is finished. I find this gives students an ability to change their answers to the right one or, put down the wrong grade. To eliminate this I grade all the tests. Students don't always like that because they want to know what their grade is right away. However this cuts down on them being able to cheat. I also sit at the back of them room. i allow no talking or opening of books. If my students are done their tests they need to hand it in to me.
I have found that even though I tried to motivate students before an examination and indicate the need for assessment a few still cheat. To help reduce student cheating it is good to encourage them to build self-esteem and confidence in acquiring the knowledge presented to them.
For exam time: First, by re-seating each student. Then make sure that the only items on or near the desk and seat are your test paper and their writing equipment.
Depending on the class and class size, one way is to hand out different versions of the exam. Or better yet, have the studnets think there are different versions by just typing an A ir B on top of exam.
I also use different versions of test to reduce the opportunity for cheating. It takes a little more time to compose and grade but it is worth it.
RE: Plagiarism on take-home essays. Remind the class that you have access to Google and Wikepedia, too.
I agree study guides are a good thing. I tried an experiment one time when the class was doing poorly by generating a study guide, using it to teach the class and then when there were no questions I used the study guide as the test. The students who knew the material did well those who were having trouble still did poorly.
I also did an open book/note test with the same results. Those who had previously been doing well continued and those who were having trouble still had trouble. The students were not told test contents in either case until after the test had been taken.
I have used the same method on occasion, however the cheaters tend to pick up on the movement of the questions. Since most of my tests involve math, I have found a method that is at least as effective. I change a couple of numbers in the problem by moving decimal points, transposing numbers etc. It is amazing how from a couple of feet away the problem looks exactly the same but you get a different answer. I have been able to figure out wh is copying from who and move them around in the class so that there is less opportunity.
I really like your idea of changing the test around but still the same question. I could see a little more work on the front end, but could really hurt the person cheating if the questions are completely different. I also like having space between my students when ever possible. This I have found makes them feel comfortable and lessons the chance for cheating. My desk is in the front of class so when students look at me and I make eye contact they know I am watching them as well.
Students don't want to Disapoint their instructors. Establish a positive relationship of trust and encouragement and problems will be few and far between.
By preparing different versions of the tests & using questions with short answers instead of multiple choice or true/false answers.Also monitoring well throughout the tests & exams.
Reducing student cheating is easy. Throughout the course, develop seating charts so that people aren't accustomed to being beside the same person everyday. Also, limit standardized testing, for that makes cheating more opportunistic. Lastly, make sure the physical environment of the room is "cheat-free." Make sure desks are cleared, bookbags are placed to the side, and students have ample space between them.
I too make more than one version of my exams when the class is large and space is reduced so that I cannot adequately move students to provide separation between them during exams. There are some courses where medical coding books are allowed during exams because they need to demonstrate their skill in using them. All books are examined before the exam to eliminate extraneous paper but notes written in them are allowed. This is the same policy used by the credentialing organization during their exams. I can only rely on techniques of different versions and spacing under these circumstances.
