I do not t wait for the test day to tell my students how I will handle cheating. By then, it's too late to motivate students to study, rather than to try to cheat. Instead, give warnings about cheating a day or two before the test. By doing that, I might motivate a potential cheater to study instead.
Hi Ellen,
I concur! Some students simply do not know that they are plagiarising. I have a brief session on plagiarism so that students cannot use the excuse they did not know.
Patricia Scales
I recently discovered that cell phone were a problem. I also discovered that facebook is another problem for computer based tests.
I like study guides they allow the student to feel less test anxiety before the test. I also feel it is important to give students an idea on what the tests will be like multiple choice, essay etc. It allows the students to be able to study appropriately.
I give out 4 different exams with the questions in different orders for exams that are multiple choice, true and false, etc. I pass out the exams so that the student next to them does not have the same exam.
I don't directly encounter cheating but plagiarism is a larger concern. It seems that many students are not comfortable or knowledgeable about writing a basic informative paper. While plagiarism can't be tolerated, I think many students do not believe that they are cheating when they do not cite information. I think properly preparing students and letting them know your expectations are key. I always encourage students to get the extra help/tutoring if this is their first research paper endeavor.
I usually prepare different versions of an exam for students. Before each exam I remind students that cheating is not tolerated by the School or myself. If they are caught, they will receive a zero grade.
several ways that start with reducing the opportunity to do so, but structuring the test environment of where folks sit, where they take the exam.
reduce the significance of any one evaluation sessions, have multiple sessions and weight them accordingly
Explain in the Career College Session that having the job skill is more important and any grade they get, so that cheating really hurts them.
A grad will get you an interview only, if you cheated and did not acquire the knowledge you will not get the job. If you some one manage to get the job and can't preform you will not keep the job.
Provide an open book exam. The exam should be in essay form as well.
All personal item such as purses, book bags, etc. are closed and placed under the desks. All drinks and food items are left outside the classroom. Students are not allowed to wear jackets and must have sleeves rolled up. No hats are allowed. No cell phones or blue tooth devices are allowed. Multiple versions of each test are handed out to reduce the opportunity of student looking at each others papers. Students sign an understanding page reminding them of the zero cheating policy. Students are also reminded of the potential negative affect not knowing the material may have on a patient some day. If cheating is suspected among a group I will allow them to settle in and then ask them to line up and assigne new seats for the day. During the examination I roam the classroom and watch the students closely.
Hi Allyson,
I like this stringent plan that you have in place to discourage students from taking tests late. I can see how this works. This is fair.
Patricia Scales
I find that students cheat by not being there the actual day of the scheduled exam for some reason or another. They then call all their friends from the class and find out what was on the test. They then come in and ace the exam the following class day causing much frustration to the rest of the students who were there on time to take the test the previous day. To fix this issue I use a policy on test/quiz re-takes.
If a student is going to be late or absent they must do a few things prior to the class:
1. They must call me ahead of time, not 15 minutes into the exam to tell me whatever excuse they have for not being in class that day,
2. The student MUST take the exam/quiz on the very next class day,
3. The test/quiz will be different then the test the rest of the class received, and
4. The student starts off at 90% and will continue to lose 10% every class day that passes and the student doesn't take the test.
I find that this seems to work for the most part.
By ensuring that students are engaged and motivated by learning the student will have more desire to work hard and less to cheat. To reduce opportunities to cheat a number of methods can be used including using more than one exam and alternating papers along a row so that no two students have the same exam.
i used to tell student that cheatingare not helping them, they need to study more, working hard, and be lazy
Most importantly, I think, is having an open and honest discussion about cheating before there are any tests, quizzes, or essays. Let students know up front how strongly you feel about cheating, and the exact consequences. I also let my students know that, should they choose to cheat, I may not catch them the first time but eventually they will get caught. Finally, we have a frank discussion about why it is wrong and what it might say about a person's character.
If I suspect a student of cheating during a quiz or see their eyes start to wander, I simply walk around the room and make sure that I am in close proximity to that student without being too obvious to others. That student, I believe, knows that I am monitoring his/her behavior.
Hi Nikki,
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.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jeannine,
It is a great idea to ask for a proctor if the class is way too large. The more eyes, the better.
Patricia Scales
During testing have 2 or 3 versions of the same test. Walk around the classroom and let students know you are involved in their test process and never leave the classroom during a test and/or ask for a proctor.
I agree that some students may not care about future ideas- they just want to pass the test. I think it will make some think though, about the value of the tests beyond just that day.
Three versions of tests is probably pretty effective as well!
I usually make at least two versions of my test so students do not have the same test papers, I also tell them I do not care about the correct answer but the process they took to arrive at the answer (meaning students have to show their work). It it usually easy to copy one or two numbers, but very difficult to copy someone's entire process without getting caught. This usually reduces student's urges to cheat!
