Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Corporal]

I have a first-year middle school girl who's an inveterate cheater...she can't keep her eyes on her own paper whether we're doing a test, small quiz, or just a page in the workbook. She thinks she's really swift, too, because she doesn't move her head at all, just her eyes. Then if she catches me watching her, she pretends to be looking off up at the ceiling or at the time on her friend's watch or something.

I know kids cheat. I myself cheated occasionally in high school on tests. But it's pathetic that she can NEVER do her own work, and she really seems to think this is acceptable behaviour.

I suppose I should just force her to sit next to one of the boys and ignore the hostile silent temper tantrum and glares of loathing that will doubtless ensue.

I've spoken to the manager about it, but she doesn't seem to care. Not that that surprised me, since Koreans don't appear to be as down on cheating as we are in the West.

[Manner of Speaking]

Why don't you just give her a test that is as equally difficult but completely different from everyone else in the classroom?

[Corporal]

Ha...I have done that before with word searches, alternate them between students so the lazy ones can't just copy their neighbour.

It's a good idea. Imagine her face when she tries to cheat, then notices that the question isn't the same. Or perhaps she never notices, but just gets a test back with most of the questions wrong while her friend's is close to perfect.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Thankfully we don't have to do this at hogwan. Tests are one-on-one, and brief phone teaching basically operates like an oral test. Then you really find out how little some kids know.

[Zark]

University situation here, but similar.

I like the first test I give - with students who don't know me - to be multiple choice - but using 3-4 different forms. Then I like to be rather lax about cheating and copying.

But when I hand back the tests - many with zeros - I just smile and say "many tests" - and rather quickly cheating subsides.

If they know they can't win - they won't cheat.

[jajdude]

What is fuuny and sad is that kids will just copy everything, like even the other kid's name! and not think at all, and then proudly say "teachuh... me pinishee!"

"Oh good job Johnny you can write English words that you see on your friend's paper."
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A thing to try once in while is just write total jibberish on the board and watch them all studiously copy it down thinking they are working hard and learning so much!
So little thinking. Really how many give a crap anyway?
Or they just want the answers! that drives me bats. They understand little but don't care, just give me the answers!

Yes, they are indeed kids. And if i was in their shoes I'd be the same.

[ajuma]

Ok...I know with this story I'm going to "out" myself because I've told it so many times at my uni...but it's too funny not to share it:

I teach a writing class. I told the students on the first day NEVER EVER EVER EVER use the internet because I'll know....REALLY, I will!!!

Well, I guess one guy didn't believe me! His first assignment had quite a few errors. The next...perfect! "Hmmm...." I though, reading the first couple of sentences... "Either he had help or he copied from the internet."
I'm reading along.....

"Her children were so precious...CLICK HERE TO EMAIL THIS STORY TO YOUR FRIENDS"....





And they wonder how I always know!

[hogwonguy1979]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[ThePoet]

You all may be aware of this already, but if you type, in quotes, the first 5 or 6 words on an essay into a search engine, it will show up if it is already on the internet.

I haven't had to use it in my university classes yet, but I got a few of my high school kids back in Canada that way.

The best search engine I've found for this is www.vivisimo.com

Hope that helps anyone,

Poet

[Ryst Helmut]