Get Your Students Hired
We cannot allow cheating because of the serious and consequential nature of some of our course curriculum. If I observe cheating, I use eye contact and if this doesn't produce the desired result, I remove the test and the student. At that point I turn the matter over to my supervising instructor.
What about cheating on test that are on-line? I walk around and maybe see one cheating and deal with it.
I will call look at them and let them know verbally that I am watching them and that I can see what they are doing. I let my students know that when they are caught cheating they recieve an instant zero without room for debate or make up. Then for the next exam, I will make sure they are seated in a different spot. I make sure the students place all their belongings at the front of the class before the exam. I also assign seats for the exams, completely at random. I go a step further and make 2 different versions so that if they are cheating, it will not benefit them anyway.
If I'm fortunate enough to have the space, my students spread out during a test. If not, I use different versions of tests -- especially good in a computer lab when they can easily look at another student's screen.
since many students rely on cheating every semester i would mention it at the begginnig of the semester. let the students know that it is not tolerable what so ever. this way they will spend more time studying and less time thinking about HOW to cheat.
Yes, the cell phone! It's still amazing to me how many students will claim that they "can't cope" without their cell phone on. When it comes time for a test or quiz, I will announce, "Okay. Everyone! Take out your cell phone. Turn off your cell phone. Put your phone on the table in front of you. If I hear any noise from a phone, the person gets an automatic zero." I used to say "If I hear a cell phone ring..." but then students would leave it on, on vibrate mode. Last term, I forgot, and had to make the announcement 2-3 minutes into the test, because I saw a student pull a phone out of his pocket and start to text! Because it was only a couple minutes in, I decided to let him keep taking it. He failed.
Hi Marco,
Your students should be grateful for your policy. I know some institution policies that are stricter.
Patricia
I eliminate this problem by spelling out my poilcy when giving a test. If I catch someone cheating they are removed from class and they loose the points for that test. I also require them to write a letter of apology to me and the class, so they can have the privledge of taking future tests.
That is a good policy. I have also caught students cheating. In the past I remove the student and give them a failing grade and notify our Dean of Students of the situation.
Hello Judy,
At my institution for the bare minimum on the first offense, the student fails the course and is suspended with the right to appeal. We have a zero tolerance for cheaters.
Patricia
I also take cheating very seriously and I deal with the students immediately by taking away all of the points for the project/assignment/test and completing a written report. A second offense would involve the same steps and the student meeting with the dean. If there is a third offense(has not happened yet), the student fails the class.
Hi William,
Wow, you are really trying to work with the student. At my institution, the first offense results in the student failing the course at a minimum and suspesion with the right to appeal to return to finish any other courses.
Patricia
When a student is caught cheating, I still believe that they should have the chance to redeem themselves. Kind of the "3 strikes and your out" type of thing. 1st offence, student recieves a zero for the test, no make up allowed. 2nd offence, zero for the test, a verbal appolgy to the student that the offender was cheating off of, dismissal from class for the day,and a final repremand. 3rd offence, student is out of the class permanently.
The policy on any kind of electronic device, without an accomodation, out during a test results in an immediate failing grade in that test. We have had to revise several of our tests from copies being sold on the internet.
Hi David,
I love your last sentence.
As for the cell phone, you institution needs to adopt a cell phone policy. At my institution, the cell phone policy is as follows:
*The cell phone must be turned off. If the cell phone makes a sound. The student is automatically dismissed from class, and the dismissal counts as an absence.
Patricia
The previous class I taught had A & B tests, same questions and answers but both were sequenced differently. I used to tell the students not to bother copying off their neighbor because they had a different test but I have caught more than one student trying. The classes I teach now have open book, fill in the blank, style tests. The nicest part is having 15 or so students in a class designed for 30! The biggest headache is the dreaded cell phone. I haven't seen any cheating for a while now, either my teaching is getting better or the students are getting sneakier.
Hi Edward,
I am certain their awareness of your presence has detered cheating. An instructor must take a scroll around the room when students are testing, simply to let students know you are watching.
Patricia
I like to walk around the room. I make noise while doing so. I hope that their awareness of my presence keeps the cheating down.
Hi Richard,
Yes, this old remedy normally works when cheating is occurring.
Patricia