Promoting Academic Integrity
Cheating is a big issue in today's classroom, and a lot of scholarly research has been conducted on the reason students cheat. Even though the research is limited in this area, all the research seem to agree that a student needs a motivation to cheat. Some motivations include the pressure to preform well academically, the perception of low-ability (low self-efficacy), and the day old question, can I get away with it?
Some positive ways to combat cheating in our classrooms is by steering away from performance-base criteria and to focus on mastery learning. Mastery learning gives an emphasis on personal improvement, mastering the material and often grades are assessed by a set criteria or rubric instead of pinning students against each other, like performance based assessments do. This will reduce the pressure for students to cheat in order to do well. Another way is to help students develop attainable short term goals. When this goals are met, students self-confidence and self-efficacy increase, reducing the likelihood of cheating. One of the most effective way to deter cheating is by making clear what the consequences of cheating are. The consequences need to be sever enough that students really need to feel they wont be able to get away with it. Also, proper monitoring during an exam is important.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is that students must feel that they are respected. Research done says that students are less likely to cheat when they view that the teacher respects them and takes learning seriously. Creating a positive learning environment with mutual respect and a focus on mastery learning is a good deterrent to cheating. The way to instal integrity in a classroom is by modeling appropriate behavior, being prepared, and respecting students and their learning needs.
Some positive ways to combat cheating in our classrooms is by steering away from performance-base criteria and to focus on mastery learning. Mastery learning gives an emphasis on personal improvement, mastering the material and often grades are assessed by a set criteria or rubric instead of pinning students against each other, like performance based assessments do. This will reduce the pressure for students to cheat in order to do well. Another way is to help students develop attainable short term goals. When this goals are met, students self-confidence and self-efficacy increase, reducing the likelihood of cheating. One of the most effective way to deter cheating is by making clear what the consequences of cheating are. The consequences need to be sever enough that students really need to feel they wont be able to get away with it. Also, proper monitoring during an exam is important.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is that students must feel that they are respected. Research done says that students are less likely to cheat when they view that the teacher respects them and takes learning seriously. Creating a positive learning environment with mutual respect and a focus on mastery learning is a good deterrent to cheating. The way to instal integrity in a classroom is by modeling appropriate behavior, being prepared, and respecting students and their learning needs.