How to Stop College Students From Cheating

Simply having students physically turn off their phones during exams can help minimize cheating.

Studies conducted from 2006-2010 found that of more than 14,000 undergraduate students, 61% admitted to cheating on an assignment or exam. It used to be fairly easy to catch cheaters, but as a result of the widespread use of technology, students are able to cheat easier and disseminate content faster than they've ever been able to. There are some simple precautions that instructors, professors and colleges can take to minimize cheating.

Instructions

Minimizing Cheating on Exams

1. Collect cell phones in a basket at the beginning of an exam. Students can take pictures of course material, quiz aids, gain access to a calculator, access the Internet, or copy down parts of the exam using their cell phones.

2. Maintain a clear presence during the exam. By being visible and walking around, you're able to disrupt cheating schemes and discourage students from even trying it.

3. Make the actions and consequences of cheating clear to students. Research has shown that unclear policies result in higher incidences of cheating.

4. Create two versions of the exam. This could be as simple as creating Test A and Test B, using the same questions, and scrambling the order in which they appear to eliminate the old-fashioned form of cheating...trying to copy off a neighbor.

   Another way of discouraging cheating is creating different free response questions instead of using only multiple-choice questions.

Minimizing Cheating on Assignments

1. Petition the dean of your department to purchase a plagiarism checking program. Student papers can be checked against a database of web pages, previously submitted student papers and books to determine if material has been copied.

2. Create a "Google answer key" for free response homework questions. Type the question into Google and make note of the wording used on the web page. When grading, compare students' answers to the Google answer key to see if they're simply getting answers by using the search engine.

3. Change homework assignments each semester. Plagiarism is common with homework assignments that are used semester after semester because students can copy answers from previous students' work. Creating four versions of a common homework assignment can eliminate the ease of plagiarism.

Tips & Warnings

• If you suspect a student cheating, you should immediately confront the student and discuss it with him. This can help you clarify and better understand the situation.

• When confronting a student, avoid the words "cheating" or "plagiarism," as they can carry negative feelings.

• Don't be afraid to address the issue and stay firm with university policy. Building the reputation of a caring educator who doesn't allow cheating will be the best deterrent for future students.

References

• New York Times: To Stop Cheats, Colleges Learn Their Trickery
• Tallahassee Community College: Cheating Prevention in College Classrooms
• Line on Life: Cheating in College
• University of California, Berkeley: Preventing Academic Dishonesty