How would you have handled this?
Just this past quarter, I received a bit of information from two students that another student in the class had been bragging about how all he has to do is cheat in my class, and he's got an easy A. He also allegedly said that he puts his study guide under his quiz and cheats that way. I pulled the student to the side and questioned him in a respectful manner and he denied everything. What's more, I made him retake all of the quizzes and he scored the same. How would you have handled that situation?
Hi Jackie,
This was a good way to test his knowledge base.
Patricia Scales
Short of providing a different copy of the test (as compared to the rest of the class) to confirm the authenticity of his test taking, I think what you did by first confronting him, then having him retake the tests served a great purpose. For him, he learned not to “brag†or maybe in this case “lie†that he was cheating as he had to retake the tests to prove his understanding of the material, but it also solidified your position with the other students that you will follow through with the information that is provided to you from fellow classmates.
Wow, it sounds like this student was more interested in being popular than actually cheating. Since he earned the same grades on the quizes, I bet it was more of an ego thing.
Hi John,
A clear desk and watchful observation are two sure ways to minimize cheating.
Patricia Scales
I would avoid having anything on their desk or table {except the writing insrument for the test} before the test was distributd and then carefull observation.
With adults, there are always those (a few to be sure), who want to make themselves seem to be 'cooler' to the rest of the class. Also, there are those who want to possibly curry favor with an instructor. Without any direct evidence of cheating,my first course of action would be to observe the 'cheater' during a test, or two, to see if they cheat.
