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leslie · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 235

Okay, so I'm having problems with cheating in my classes this semester. They are really good, at cheating that is. Accordians, switching papers, etc. I've caught quite a few, but I'm thinking that for every student I catch, there's gotta be more who aren't caught.

I want to minimize the opportunity to cheat.

My classes are approx. 25 students with indiv. desks - kind of crowded.

Some of the things I've tried to prevent cheating are:

1. a vacant seat between each student
2. two different exams that look alike, but the answers are jumbled (showed that cheating was happening)
3. write name at the beginning of exam or you get 0% (discourages switching papers)
4. write in pen only
5. No questions during exams

In the future, I'm also going to make them put their napsacks in the back of the room so when they leave they aren't passing by other students.

Any other ideas from you teachers out there?

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

Things that I've tried that reduce cheating:

2 or 3 versions of exams.

Only writing in pen plus if you let students see the exam after be sure to circle all the wrong answers and the unanswered questions otherwise they claim that you 'missed one'.

Backpacks and phones at the front of the class. Students take photos of exams, record listening exams etc.

Subtly isolate the ones everyone wants to copy off.

If possible let them go as soon as they've finished - most cheating happens at the end of the exam while you're collecting up the papers.

Make the exam harder to allow for the points they get from cheating.

If space allows, seat them facing the wall.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 3:52 am Post subject:

Use answer sheets with bubbles, and everyone�s exam is different. Use the same questions, but scramble them in different ways. Everyone gets a different essay question at the end. More time comsuming, but after doing this one time, you will see a sharp drop in cheating.

Gregory. · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:15 pm Post subject:

My first suggestion would be to talk to your students. Let them know that there is a problem. Explain to them how you feel about them cheating and explain to them why you think cheating is a bad idea. (Are they learning English in order to meaningfully use it in their everyday future lives, or are the learning English because they have to?)

There must be a reason why students are cheating. If there is such an institutional pressure on good exam results, then maybe thinking about ways that all 25 students could work collaboratively in order to achieve good results might help- what I mean here is that if students are cheating because they will be in trouble if they don't pass, then maybe doing a lot more revision before the exam might help. And revision using very similar questions that will be found in the exam- i.e lots of multiple choice revision if the exam is multiple choice based, etc.

Maybe they are cheating because they don't understand your classes. How do you find evidence of learning- on a daily basis - how do you satisfy yourself that students have learned in todays class? A simple final activity would be enough.

I don't know how much flexibility you have in making/administering the exam, but my suggestion would be to do away with the exam totally! In the real world, when these students are out there, making a living and developing their careers- how many times will they have to do an exam? They might not think that an exam is relevant to their lives.

Other forms of assessments would include project based assessments- get them to work in teams with the objective of uploading a youtube video ont he topic/subject being assessed. Then classmates would have to see the youtube viedo and grade their classmates, justifying the grade. The teacher takes an average of these grades and that is the exam/evaluation result.

There are loads of other ways to assess (BUT I completely understand that maybe your institution might not let you do this).

Ask your students. Explain to them how you are feeling and ask them for the solution.

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 7:53 pm Post subject:

New Haven · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 52 Location: Merida, Mexico

Look, we all cheat. Every time you don't tell your friend/spouse the absolute truth when he/she asks your opinion, it's a form of cheating. Or, more obviously, maybe you're not remitting taxes on that private student you teach once a month. In some way, large or small, we are all dishonest. I think the difference here is that we don't accept the kind of cheating; i.e., on exams, that is culturally normal for Mexico. We are horrified that students would look at others' exams, and we are likewise horrified that good students would not mind sharing their answers with cheaters. But that is the way it is here. We (native-speakers in general) place a high value on transparency; Mexicans generally less so. In fact, it may be that the one who cheats and gets away with it is perceived in a positive light -- as a shrewd and savvy character. I think it is best to refrain from making value judgments, accept that there are few built-in cultural proscriptions against cheating in Mexico, and take some of the practical measures outlined by others on this thread.
Sharon

FreddyM · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 180 Location: Mexico

geaaronson · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 948 Location: Mexico City

Yes, New Haven, your insights are right on the mark.

I have found an additional means of preventing cheating. I put the worst students at the front of the class at exam time, the best in the back. Those that have cheated repeatedly in the past get to sit right next to the teacher`s desk. No friends get to sit next to each other. I have just begun to explain to the students my methods for doing so, so now they know how much I dislike their cheating.

With classes with rampant cheating, I just seize their exams and don`t return them. If they haven`t finished, tough beans. They can complain all they want but the rest of the class will back me as they all know who the cheaters are.

I have sat in on other teachers giving exams and have noted their lack of interest in disciplining their students. Of course that`s why they do it-their teachers could care less.

However at my other university there are extremely strict rules against cheating. A student caught automatically fails his parcial exam. And we do fail them.

My boss, who is the head of the language department, has been promoted to co-director of the university because the owner wants a school with high standards. I understand from those in the academic community, his predecessor was so lax that entire classes were buying good grades and when one of the teachers went to administration for advice on their bribery attempt, was told by NO. 2 in command, just go ahead and take the money.

The pendulum has swung somewhat in the opposite direction as my boss is so severe that if a student is caught with alcohol on his breath, he has to take the extraordinario whether passing or not. And for the student who showed up inebriated for the bimestrial exam, he had to repeat the year. The students are well aware of my boss`s rules and albeit my discomfit at his severity, I applaud it and prefer it to the laxity of the other university.

MotherF · Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:48 pm Post subject:

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

FreddyM · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 180 Location: Mexico

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Something wrong with your quote function Freddy...wrong person.

I think y'all are focused on the wrong aspect of cheating if you're going to compare Mexicans to Americans or anyone else in the world. It's not the attempt but the consequences.

leslie · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 235

Hey, thanks for the tips.

Just a note. I was thinking that way back in the 80s when I went to university in Canada, all the final exams were in the gym. All the napsacks were at the front of the room, university id with photo on desk, only pen/pencil/eraser with you, and your class sat in one long row.

So... I'm thinking that cheating has been a concern for a long time and in many countries.

All of the comments have been useful, so thanks to everyone.

I do have other forms of assessment like oral exams, class participation, projects, etc. but I wanted this thread to focus specifically on preventing or taking away the opportunities to cheat during written exams, which I have identified as a problem for me and my classes. I think Guy's comment about consequences is good too. Made me think that maybe I've been giving too many second chances.

Actually, this experience made me realize how important my job is. My students need guidance and perhaps I can help them just by being a role model and saying "cheating is not acceptable".

I also am aware that maybe they are taking photos, or the photocopy lady is passing on the exams to the students (for a price)... I know, I'm becoming paranoid.

Anyways, thanks for the ideas.

Gregory. · Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 6:03 pm Post subject:

I like the points that you make Leslie.

Have you ever done the exercise of creating a class contract at the beginning of the school year - where your students brainstorm and come up with the rules both for themselves and for you the teacher?

They come up with very interesting points - respect each other, come to class on time etc. Of course some of these things are broken but at least the students know what is expected of them...

Well, how about doing the same for exams. You mention that maybe you're giving second chances, well- let your students come up with the rules for the exams. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results.

I personally think moving students and having the weaker ones at the front etc is excessive. A simple idea- if you cheat you get zero should suffice.

But then Guy's point comes into play. Its not really the rule, its the enforcement.

Think of traffic lights here in Mexico. The law says don't cross a red light but everyone does it and there is no enforcement, so noone really cares anymore.

Same might be said about class rules for cheating - zero tolerence. It'll hust the first few, but afterwards, your students will know that you mean business.

If you manage to get the class / exam contract written up beforehand, then noone can complain that it's not fair- because they themselves agreed to the consequence of the actions!