Can I Cheat on Online Classes? (The Good and the Bad)

COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lockdowns. As a result, colleges and universities are moving operations like admissions, classes, and exams online. To curb the possibility of compromising academic integrity, schools are now using virtual live proctoring technologies, among other ways, within their learning management system. Please continue reading the article below to learn how students cheat, whether it is easy to cheat in online classes, and how schools detect cheating.

Is it Easier to Cheat in Online Classes?

One thing not up for debate is that the nature of online schools makes cheating easier for students inclined to it. The widespread of online classes has made cheating easily, and students can quickly get away with it.

Additionally, most students know their way around software and computers better than their facilitators.

According to a Kessler International study involving students in both on-campus and online college, eighty-six percent admitted to cheating on online classes. Out of the respondents, fifty-four percent felt it was not a big deal. Some candidates even argued that it was an essential step of remaining competitive. Ninety-seven percent of the participants claimed that they would never be caught.

Only thirty-five percent of the surveyed school officials believed that cheating happens. In short, cheating is more widespread than most school administrators willingly admit or know.

Can You Cheat on Online Classes?

Well, it is now clear that cheating in an online test is common. Here are common cheating methods used by students while taking their tests:

The old-school try: Despite the online learning advancements, some students still use traditional cheating methods. As in a university classroom, students will scribble notes on palms or tape notes on their PC monitors and refer to them during the examination.

Online browsing: With the age of uninterrupted fast speed internet, information can be accessed within seconds. That means a quick google search could assist you in getting answers to the test. Also, features like the incognito mode could hide your search history to avoid recovery or detection. Without supervision, you can google answers, copy-paste content, or use social media to circulate the questions.

Use electronic gadgets

Screenshots

Use screen sharing software or virtual machines

Use of a fake identity

Can Online Classes Tell If You Cheat?

Just like brick and mortar universities, universities offering online courses do care about academic honesty. Therefore, they put into place mechanisms that can detect various types of cheating in the online setting. They include:

Online Proctoring Software

When you take your online exams, it might be difficult for the school to verify your identity. Consequently, most schools hire companies that offer proctoring during examinations.

Using the webcam on your device, the firm's workers watch your computer screen and face as you take the examination. Before you start the examinations, you have to prove your identity.

Since students know that the proctoring software monitors their conduct and maintains a log to look for malpractices, they might avoid cheating.

Here are the reasons why proctoring services are practical in stopping students from cheating during their exams:

Use of 2-Factor authentication process: All candidates are given a verification code and link to join the exam. The codes and links are unique to every candidate and should be used only by the candidate who received the unique test code and link through a text message or email from the facilitator.

Geotagging: It knows where you are taking the examination from. It is a secure method for your school to track whether you are doing the examinations from the address you provided.

Prevents copying from another place with copy/paste blocking: You can try to find answers from the internet, books, word documents, screenshots, PDFs, and files. Proctoring services come with a Proview that blocks the copy and paste option whenever you are taking your examination.

Prevents cheating through hand scribbling: Hand scribbling is one of the old-school cheating methods. Usually, students scribble answers and formulas on their furniture and hands, thinking it wouldn't be captured on video. Most proctoring software can capture when you look away for long. During your examination, the proctors will monitor your moves and catch you should they find something suspicious.

Prevents exam answers browsing with browser activities tracking: Sometimes, candidates resort to finding answers through the net while taking their examinations. They find answers and then copy-paste them in their exam. To prevent this, the proctoring software assists the facilitators in tracking candidate browser activity during the examination, and everything that the candidate accesses during their exam is recorded for analysis. If there is a search engine or website that you are banned from accessing, it raises a red flag in real-time.

Watermark tests to track leaks: The proctoring software watermarks all students' test submission with the ID number. Most students take screenshots and pictures of the tests and then leak it on the net, leading to a lack of authenticity. Watermarking prevents this from taking place since the student could be traced back, thanks to the watermark.

Plagiarism Detection

The management software you use to submit your assignments consists of plagiarism detection software. Turnitin is a popular plagiarism detection software that scans a significant amount of internet content and determines if your assignment matches existing materials. The scan also looks for papers submitted by other students and scanned in the system by facilitators.

Biometric Scanning, IP Tracking, and Keystroke Recognition

Cheating goes beyond finding answers during a test or plagiarism.

Catching impostors masquerading as students; companies completing tests is a significant challenge most universities face. For instance, one login can come from one part of the world and another login from another part of the world.

As a result, schools have risen to the challenge and are having equally exceptional tools. Your school could track keystrokes to detect your typing pattern, track your PC IP address, and need biometric identification through fingerprint recognition or iris.

You are also required to present your identification card to authenticate the test before it starts. The photo on your ID card should match with the face in taking the exam.

At this stage of your academic journey, you know that cheating is tempting, but it hurts. While it might seem easy to cheat on online classes, you are likely to be caught and punished with the internet advancements.