How to Reduce Cheating in the Classroom

Maybe it is the increased use of new technologies and communications tools, or the heightened pressure of competition in the classroom and among peers, or the way in which curriculum is being delivered to the mind of today’s student--or maybe it is a combination of everything that has caused the growing trend of cheating in the classroom. Finding ways to cheat on tests, quizzes and essays has always been a problem in the classroom, but there are ways in which teachers can reduce cheating in their classes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Go online to research cheating methods. Yes, that's right: teachers should use the same methods their students are using to learn how to cheat. Most students use search engines to search out different websites that actually give them suggested ideas on how to cheat. Teachers can learn what the latest methods of cheating are so they can be more aware and on the lookout for the usage in their classrooms.
2. Let the students know that you are up on the latest ways to cheat in the classroom. Showing that the teacher is also an authority on the subject may cause the students to be less willing to try to trick the teacher.
3. Inform students about methods you use to check essays and reports for plagiarism. Many students today know they can go online and purchase a report or essay. Talk to the students about how this hurts them in the long run, and, to lessen their ability to use this cheating method, try to utilize more classroom time to allow them to work on reports and essays. This will allow the teacher to check and monitor their progress each step of the way as you teach them the writing process.
4. Know the students in the class. Take the time to really know their strengths and weaknesses. This will allow the teacher to intervene and offer assistance to a student that may be slipping, before they move on to desperation and possibly cheating to improve grades.
5. Offer weekly extra help sessions before and after school. Students who have access to extra help and use it will be less likely to attempt cheating on tests and quizzes because they will have adequate opportunities to prepare.
6. Give a test review. Going over the material that is expected to be understood will help prepare the students for the test. It will give them time to ask questions and get a final clarification. Teachers can ask the students to prepare questions to ask during the review.
7. Make two different versions of the test. This can definitely reduce the ability of peer-to-peer cheating in the classroom.
8. Have students place all books, bags and personal items off to the side of the classroom. The student will then have zero objects on their desk and it will be just them and the test paper. But, teachers should be on the lookout for students who slip cheat sheets into mechanical pencils and pens.
9. Be observant. While the class is taking quizzes and tests, the teacher should watch for signs of group cheating, distracting sounds, or a student looking down at lap and shoes or who has wandering eyes.
10. Follow through with discipline guidelines. Teachers that enforce their own rules against cheating, will have a class of students that know they cannot get away with it, so why try?