Cheating has become harder and harder to prevent with technology, for one, because technology facilitates the cheating and two, because students use the Internet to find new ways to get away with cheating. Eliminating cheating in the classroom can be accomplished through careful preparation, tenacity and effective classroom management.
Define Cheating to Prevent It
Make sure students understand from inception what is considered cheating. Is sharing notes on an open book test considered cheating? If it is, then let student’s know ahead of time. Avoid ambiguity for a clear and confident work environment.
Make sure to display classroom rules on plagiarism and test taking out in the open. Some students will be reluctant to cheat with these messages plastered around the classroom in front of them. For many students, the “out of sight, out of mind” adage proves useful in test taking and essay writing situations.
Make it Difficult for Students to Cheat
Make it complicated for students to cheat by walking around the classroom during the test. Teachers may even want to take a seat or stand in the back of the classroom. No student wants to look guilty by looking back to see where the teacher is located. Some teachers go as far as to make students leave their backpacks and electronics in front of the class on test day.
Short answer tests are easier to cheat on, so try to give short essay tests. These tests may be more difficult to grade, but teachers can really determine if the students know the material. If a short answer test must be given, make different versions of the test, and alternate them when passing them out.
Giving multiple versions of the test works well for instructors with several classes as well so students don’t tell others what questions are on the test. Also, take care not to return tests before all students in all classes have taken the test to prevent students from informing others of the answers.
Learn What Students Know About Cheating
Play offense when it comes to cheating. Beat students at their own game. Use technology like the Internet to find out how students are cheating these days. Be aware of trends and what signs to look for. Use Internet plagiarism sites, like Turnitin.com, to catch plagiarized papers. Typing a sentence or two from students’ papers into search engines can identify stolen material that has been copied and pasted.
It’s OK for educators to let students know they are aware of cheating trends or each student’s writing skills because the main goal is to prevent cheating not catch it. Teachers who express their awareness experience much less cheating problems in the classroom, because students become uneasy about taking risks with attentive teachers.
Enforce Punishments for Cheaters
When cheating does occur, educators must be unyielding with rules and disciplining a cheater. Lenient teachers make easy targets. Furthermore, if students get away with cheating, this will send a message to the other students that they do not have to pay attention in class, study for tests, properly complete assignments, or do homework.
Provide a Preview Session Before Administering a Test
The ultimate best way to prevent cheating is to fully prepare students for the test. Preview the test with the class before administering it. Some educators frown on this activity, but students will continuing to learn the material teachers want them to know in a review.
Also provide a review after returning a test. This will reinforce concepts and prepare students for midterms and final exams. Reinforcement invokes confidence in students. Confident and knowledgeable students are the least likely to cheat.
Prevent cheating in the classroom through good classroom management, awareness, deterrent tactics, and good teaching skills. When cheating does occur, handle it swiftly and forcefully. Cheating may be around until the end of time, but that is no reason to let it fester in the classroom.
