Some of the ways that I try to reduce cheating are; to have all items left at the front or back of the room, backpacks, purses, exc and assigned seating. This seems to do the trick for me and my class. I also stand in the back of the room and move around only when needed. I tell my students I am not here to watch you cheat yourself out of your education but to help you succedd in all you do and that can only be done through hard work and studying! You can cheat here but you can once your in the real world it WILL show if you know your stuff or cheated your way through.. :)
One way of reducing cheating is to point out to the student the repercussions it has on their academic career, and how they are perceived as an individual. The instructor should stress how it will affect their grade, and it will be put permanently in their academic record. I don't give the student a second chance. If one of my students cheats once, they fail the assignment, and if they do it a second time they fail the class.
Another obvious way of reducing cheating in one's class is to create different versions of a test, and pass them out. I use Turnitin.com for student paper submissions as well. Many times when students write papers they do not realize they are plagiarizing. It is very important to teach students APA or MLA in each course so they understand how to avoid plagiarizing in a paper, which is cheating.
I just take away the opportunity. All desks are cleared, phones are put away, and students respect that and do not try to cheat. If they were unprepared and do not do well I let them know that there are other ways to bring up their grade besides doing well on this one assessment.
I usually have PowerPoint presentations, which minimize any cheating.
One time I wrote on the board and every student had to define what honesty and integrity meant to them in their lives and at the workplace.
I believe an instructor can reduce the opportunity for a student to cheat by administering different types of exams. Incorporate multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer exams. Having a pool of exams on the same subject will also reduce cheating between different class groups. Do not allow students to have a copy of exam to review or take home.
I discuss with my students how their cheating will negatively impact the lives' of their patients. I also make sure they are very well aware of the academic integrity policy. I use pop quizzes to keep them on their toes and encourage study habits that are based on retention and comprehension.
Reducing opportunities for student cheating is one of the greatest challenges of instructors. It is important to make policies clear and non-negotiable. Students must understand that you expect them to conduct themselves ethically and honestly in your class. It is essential to eliminate opportunities during class for cheating because there are always students who take any advantage they can regardless of rules. Instructors should be observant and guarded. Being present in the classroom, and observing students during testing. Tests should require students to demonstrate that they truly have a grasp of the subject and not just an ability to copy back answers.
For example, one way you can reduce cheating in a class is when giving a test is to make sure you would give out at least 2 different versions of the test. Anther way is that if it is a small class with not a lot of students I would like for them to spread out and have at least one empty desk between each other.
Please explain... I'm very interested!!!
I strongly agree, but how do you prove they are actually cheating?
As a first time instructor I have not implemented anything to reduce student cheating, with the exception of proctering the exam. I have caught one student with wandering eyes, and I addressed it after the exam. I did not accuse him of cheating but brought it to his attention. It has not happened again.
Tests that are math generated, this is certainly the case. It is extremely hard to copy mathematical answers when the work is a step-by-step process that must be shown.
I create different versions of the test
One way is to move the students around, during my midterm I do assign seating and make sure that the student is not sitting beside a friend and I also have two to three different tests.
Give different types of test out. change seats and watch your students.
In the classes that have low enrollment I can place one student per table. In the larger classes, I have used different versions of the exam/quiz. In addition, clearing ALL materials from the table top, all items in their bookbags, and I walk the isles. No talking is allowed until ALL students have finished. I collect the test/quiz hardcopies and Scantrons from each. It is usually so competative within the classes that the peer pressure is enough to curtail any cheating. Bruce
I am both a student and a professor – schizophrenia is double the fun.
If a professor ever accuses me of cheating, he/she/it had better have some very concrete evidence or the school and him/her/it could be facing a defamation lawsuit. My point is – be very careful before accusing a student of cheating; you had better have witnesses or definite indications on the student’s papers.
I would go to the front of the classroom and make an announcement about the perils of cheating/copying off another student’s paper/etc; I would look at every student in the classroom; I would then tell them to continue with the test.
If a professor ever accuses me of cheating, he/she/it had better have some very concrete evidence or the school and him/her/it could be facing a defamation lawsuit. My point is – be very careful before accusing a student of cheating; you had better have witnesses or definite indications on the student’s papers.
I would go to the front of the classroom and make an announcement about the perils of cheating/copying off another student’s paper/etc; I would look at every student in the classroom; I would then tell them to continue with the test.
Hi Q'iana,
You do a fine job when it comes to trying to minimizing cheating. I give my test takers my undivided attention during test time. My eyes are fully affixed on my students.
Patricia Scales
