Give the students clear objectves and goals, encourage students to watch out for each other, and separate test takers when practical.
Yes Shirley, This has worked well for me !
For my class there isn't much opportunity to cheat except when writing papers. Then the temptation to plagiarize becomes hard to ignore because it's so easy with the internet. As a response I fully lay out the consequences, let them know I will enforce it and to not do it. Then I ask if they have any questions and that it is perfectly clear. Then I apologize for being so serious but every year someone does it.
I believe in spreading them out.
I think that "mixing up" the questions on the exam is a great way to curtail the "cheater". I also like the mixed idea of those sitting next to each other get different exams.
I agree with giving the essay questions that way students can not copy answers and have to have a base knowledge of topic or it will be evident. Essay questions being harder to grade is not true if you have established base lines.
One of the best ways to eliminate or reduce student cheating during tests is by having several sets of test questions . You can even give the same questions and just rearrange the order of questions for different sets. Usually , two sets of questions would be enough. You can alternate the rows and make sure that students are not too close to each other. The instructor must be positioned in such a way that he or she can see the student eyes at all times when seating in front. Of course, the instructor must also move and may position him or herself at the back of the room. I always make sure that the students are reminded of the consequences of cheating.
Hi Shirley,
Having varrious versions of an exam is a great way to curtail cheating. Today's software makes it very easy to scramble questions.
Patricia
I believe that it is important that a "cheating Opportunity" is not obviously given. I don't want to '"tempt" students. It's important that those who would not normally cheat, do not find the reason to do so, is because it is so accessible. We use an automated test bank system that varies the questions and response fields per student. This way, students can't look at someone else's test and see the same layout. We are also computer based, and the system locks the Desktop from view/access. Most importantly, I try to stress that a cheated grade is not an indication of how they will perform in their career.
I think the multiple exams with the same content and only the exam answers change.
Hi Rachel,
I concur! It is simple, I let my students know and see that they are being watched during test time; this is the best tactic to minimize cheating.
Patricia
Reducing the opportunity to cheat is a hard task. But here are some of the things I do. I create several different test, I make the test based on personal choices so that they can use individual answers, and finally, I'm clear in my delivery of the information. After each lecture, I pass out questions that pertain to the lecture so that the students can have a formal study guide.
Unfortunatly student cheating is something I was able to experience in the first career college class I ever taught. At first I was upset and felt betrayed by the students, until I realized there was a multitude of ways to prevent it. I decided to experiement with a few different tactics with that first class. I first of all put them in alphabetical order for the test, while this will not prevent all cheating, it did in my class becasue it seperated the two students who had cheated previosuly. I then went a step further and created different versions of the same test and lastly watched the students like a hawk! I have found that being attentive and watching the studetns while they test is the besst defense because then they know I am watching and I will see them!
Hi Katherine,
Smart tactic to prevent cheating. It is true that even adult students will be dishonest.
Patricia
I know this might sound a little devious, but if I suspect adults of cheating on objective exams, I prepare two or three versions of the exam. Then make sure that those sitting near each other do not have the same exam versions. Cheating will only give them a worse grade. When they know this (I don't make it a secret.) They find it easier to just to the test that is in front of them.
