Preventing Cheating in On-line Classes

How to prevent cheating in online classes

** Develop a plan, outline the plan in the syllabus, and require students to sign a contract that the read and understood the assessment plan**

Monitoring who is really participating:

-Keep and monitor computer logs:

                -Who logs in when and where

                -How frequently

-Ask for writing sample to compare structure overtime

-Require use of camera:  for visual image of participant

-Collect data on each student’s interest and create individual formats based on each student

-Require some face-to-face contact throughout the class

Monitoring Testing:

-Give a few proctored exams: at university, libraries, or other joint communication facilities

-Give oral exams or quizzes: call and ask questions

-Give each student their own version of the exam or make sure to randomize the questions

-Place time limits on exams or quizzes: must complete in given timeframe

-Schedule specific dates and time for exams to be done in online chat or discussion formats

-Set specific date and time and require use of camera: monitor each feed

-Do not allow retakes or retries on exams or quizzes

-Use non-traditional teaching styles: video, projects, presentations, podcast, etc.

Ideas developed from “Tips, Tricks and How to Prevent Cheating in Distance Education” by Kathy Cercone of Housatonic Community College and located at http://web-pt.net/wyoming/online_testing.htm

Signs of Cheating in On-line classes

-Formatting issues: mixed or does not match with requirements (font, margins, tables, bibliography, etc)

-Check labels on documents: URLs, Website names, name of preparation services or individuals

-Grammar issues: wrong verbs, pronouns, etc (outdated paper)

-Wording structure does not match previous submissions

-Bibliography does not match paper or can not be verified

-Bibliography uses only old references: nothing new used

-Rhetorical style writing