Why do students cheat? Many students and schools face cheating as a serious issue. A survey by the International Center for Academic Integrity shows that over 60% of students cheated on a test or homework in 2020. Cheating can hurt students and educators in many ways, such as lower grades, loss of trust, academic dishonesty charges, and even expulsion.
What are some common reasons for the question why do students cheat? And how can we stop cheating in schools? This EDU Blog will look at some of the causes of cheating. It will also give some helpful tips for educators and schools to prevent cheating and encourage academic integrity.
Understanding why students cheat
Cheating is a common problem in academic settings. Some of the reasons why students cheat are:
Pressure to perform: Many students feel pressured to get good grades and achieve high academic standards, either by their parents, peers, or themselves. They may cheat because they think it is the only way to succeed, or to avoid failure in the test.
Lack of preparation: Some students cheat because they did not study enough or did not understand the lessons. Or they may cheat to save time, avoid hard work, or cope with a difficult assignment or exam.
Lack of interest: Some students cheat because they are not interested in the subject or the course. They may cheat because they do not see the value or relevance of what they are learning, or because they are bored or distracted.
Lack of consequences: Some students cheat because they think they can get away with it or do not care about the consequences. They may cheat because they do not respect the rules or the educator. Or because they do not feel guilty or remorseful.
Cheating is bad for students and educators. Some students cheat because they feel stressed, bored, or stuck. Cheating makes learning worse, breaks trust, and hurts education. That’s why it’s crucial for educators to understand why students cheat and how to prevent it.
Ways that students cheat
There are different ways that students cheat, such as:
Copying from another student’s work or test, either with or without their consent.
Using unauthorized materials or devices during an exam, such as notes, calculators, phones, or smartwatches.
Plagiarizing from online sources or other publications, without giving proper credit or citation.
Fabricating or falsifying data, results, or references in assignments or research papers.
Collaborating with others on individual tasks or assignments, without the instructor’s permission or acknowledgment.
Hiring someone else to do the work or take the test for them, either online or in person.
Effective strategies for dealing with cheating students
Cheating is a serious problem that can undermine students’ academic integrity and learning outcomes. Educators need to adopt effective strategies for dealing with cheating and preventing it from happening in the first place. Some of these strategies are:
Define cheating clearly and communicate it to students. Explain what constitutes cheating. For example: copying, plagiarizing, using unauthorized devices or sources, etc., and the consequences. Remind students of these expectations regularly and before each assessment.
Design fair and meaningful assessments that align with the learning objectives and the course content. Avoid using old or recycled tests. And also provide sample questions or practice tests to help students prepare. Use different versions of the test or vary the order of questions and answers to discourage copying.
Create a positive and supportive learning environment that fosters honesty, integrity, and collaboration. Encourage students to ask questions, seek feedback, and work in groups or teams when appropriate. Provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning in different ways, such as projects, presentations, portfolios, etc.
- Monitor assessments carefully and consistently. Assign seats or numbers to students, check IDs, collect phones and other devices. Don’t forget to circulate the room during the test and use plagiarism detection tools to check for the originality of written work.
Final Thoughts
Many students and schools around the world face the issue of cheating. To prevent cheating and foster academic integrity, we need to understand the reasons why do students cheat and apply effective strategies to stop it.
Some of the strategies that educators and schools can use are: clarifying what counts as cheating, creating fair and engaging assessments, building a positive and supportive learning environment, and supervising and checking assessments thoroughly and regularly. These strategies can help us prevent cheating and encourage a culture of honesty, integrity, and collaboration in our educational institutions.
If you are an educator or school administrator, use these strategies today to prevent cheating and promote academic integrity in your school. Subscribe to EDU Blog now to get more exciting news.
