I gave an exam recently. Among other troubling developments, a group of students talked or attempted to talk the whole time. In the end, I had to move one of them to a different seat. That's a first in all my many years of teaching. This incident was astonishing because they knew we were looking right at them -- yet their behaviors didn't change. Well, they did start putting their hands over their mouths as though such a ploy would somehow magically render us unable to know what they were doing. A new low in effrontery. At least past generations of would-be cheaters had the common sense to desist when placed under obvious surveillance.
Now share the misery.
"You are not allowed to talk to each other during this exam. The next person that talks will be escorted from the room and receive a zero."
ReplyDeleteProblem solved.
Stella's absolutely right. Love ya, Stella!
ReplyDeleteToday I actually took a Droid/Blackberry/some kind of interactive phone device out of a student's hand because she was sitting in the front row of my lecture pecking away at it in a way that did NOT suggest she was taking lecture notes.
ReplyDeleteI picked it up and set it down, face down, on her notebook. I didn't say anything, I just did it.
The talking, though. Eish. I'm with Stella.
By talking, I meant muttering or whispering, not open conversation. But it was unmistakable. In any case, you can be sure my procedures will be draconian next time. Aggressive invigilation by multiple proctors, summary expulsion, you name it.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Stella. Draconian works since the students will be scared the first time you have to follow through on the threat. They probably haven't had any training in manners.
ReplyDeletenothing feels as good as getting to say, "I'm sorry, you're going to have to leave."
ReplyDeleteMine get extremely stern warnings beforehand and then on the test day (or quiz or whatever) I just silently take their papers. If they start to protest, I ask them to leave and/or discuss it out in the hallway with them.
ReplyDeleteStella, that may be a way your university allows professors to fix such problems but mine does not. Taking the student's test away or making them leave the classroom and preventing them from finishing the test because of suspected cheating... no matter how obvious... is considered subverting the academic integrity people's right to sit in judgement. The student can appeal and they will automatically win the appeal.
ReplyDeleteThe most we can do is move them to different seats, and than file a complaint with the provost people.
That's tough, New England Natalie. I guess what I'd do then say, "Talking is not permitted during the test. (student names here) please stand and come to the front of the room. Now." Then each chatty student would have orient a desk to face mine, pressed right to mine if possible. Doesn't bother me. In fact I might take a certain pleasure in making them squirm.
ReplyDeleteIf that wasn't possible I would go and sit myself right between the two biggest offenders, and move the others in the group so I was in the middle of all of them.
And, in both cases I would announce, "A complaint will be filed with the provost because of your behavior."
Yes, you're likely right -- summary expulsion might be illegal. But can't a boy dream?
ReplyDelete