CHEATING THE SYSTEM

Page 39 in the 2020-2021 North Royalton High School student agenda provides the district’s policies on cheating and plagiarism. For those who haven’t been bored enough to read through the “Student Conduct” portion of the agenda, CHEATcheating could mean any of the following: 1. Copying homework

ING from another student 2. Securing answers in a

YOUR dishonest manner 3. Allowing one’s work to FUTURE be copied by another student 4. Transmitting answers from one class to another BY: DYLAN 5. And obtaining digital copies and images of a test SAUNDERS without permission Cheating in class is nothing new. Academic dishonesty has probably been around since the creation of formal education. The prevalence of technology in North Royalton High School has led to an arms race of sorts between high school staff and students, where teachers must take measures against new tech in the hands of students to ensure academic integrity (imagine explaining to a school teacher in the 90’s that her students might have a copy of her test hidden on their smart watches).

With classes online, cheating has become easier than ever. Teachers face an uphill battle when it comes to catching cheaters in the virtual classroom.

Prior to the COVID outbreak, catching cheaters wasn’t very difficult for Eva Teague, who has been teaching mathematics at NRHS for 18 years.

“I am in the room with the students when they are taking a test or quiz and can see if they are attempting to use resources not allowed or look off another’s paper,” said Mrs. Teague.

Aaron Garman, another NRHS teacher, has been teaching various English classes since 2003.

In the past, Mr. Garman referred to NRHS’s plagiarism policies when it came to cheating. However, he also tried to explain the difference between learning and getting a grade to his students as a preventative measure.

“I’ve dealt with cheating by trying to motivate my students and have them see school in a different light. It doesn’t work with all students, but I’ve had success with some,” said Mr. Garman. “If a student is motivated to cheat, a student will find a way regardless of the subject area.”

Unfortunately for NRHS teachers like Mr. Garman and Mrs. Teague, students don’t have to try very hard when it comes to cheating. They can switch tabs, send each other answers, and make video calls during tests.

“Even though they are not supposed to be using any notes or online help, it is hard for me to monitor that, even when watching them on Zoom,” said Mrs. Teague. Other than watching the Zoom calls during assessments, Mrs. Students can easily switch between tabs during an online test. Teague checks over her students’ work to make As Mrs. Teague mentioned, teachers have a hard time telling when students are cheating on a Zoom call. sure their answers make sense. In light of a recent cheating scandal, Mrs. Teague now plans on making multiple versions of assessments to prevent answers from being shared between class periods. She noted that her current students seem to be doing better than previous classes, which she said could be due to current students cheating on tests.

“Just because cheating is a lot easier in a remote setting does not change the fact that it is wrong, dishonest, and reflects the kind of person [students] are and will be. Today’s decisions affect who they will be in the future,” Mrs. Teague said about the cheating.

Because academic dishonesty has become so easy and appealing, teachers are left to question whether students are A NEW HOPE BY CASSIDY WOODMANCY receiving quality instruc-

tion in the online setting. Mr. Garman believes that this question boils down to Despite the dissension in the world, people can collectively agree it’s time for 2020 to the individual student. In his experience, Mr. Garman end. Individuals really hope that next year finds that each student adapts to changes at their own will be a new start in the right direction. In pace. North Royalton, many people have plans and wishes “However, to be sure, many students are not ‘learning’ the same amount or with the same depth that they for the new year, including resolutions to begin again. One of the primary wishes from people is for COVID to be gone. NRHS freshman Peyton Bunsey has dreams that “COVID will semi get better and we would during a non-remote get to go to school.” With the successful vaccine being class environment,” said Mr. shipped to states, this is definitely a wish that could Garman. He doesn’t blame come true. students for shortcomings in Also, many people think 2021 will be a new start virtual school. He maintains that students and teachers are adapting to this situation at in a good way. Freshman Avery Justice said, “I think 2021 will be better than 2020.” Many hope 2021 will bring many good things to get us past this despair-inducing year. The new year will definitely bring hope to the same time. Teachers face a the world. unique challenge; they have to Lastly, many people have new year’s resolutions redesign their classes and ap- that they hope they will achieve. Freshman Vanessa ply those changes immediately. Mrs. Teague believes that she and her colleagues are doVadovski said, “I want to try to do better in school and just get a grip and start being more responsible.” She said she wants to achieve these resolutions and become better. Having new year’s resolutions helps peoing their best to provide stu- ple know how to improve themselves, and they hope dents with a quality education. that they can become better. “Of course in person is best, Many people have big hopes for a COVID-free but I still think we are doing a new year. Many people will be trying their best to fulStudents can easily switch between tabs during an online test. As Mrs. Teague mentioned, teachers have a hard time telling when students are cheating on a Zoom call. great job of interacting together, and I still can assess my students’ understanding of the material,” said fill their resolutions. This new year will bring everyone hope in this time of despair. Mrs. Teague. As Mr. Garman said, the concern over cheating is “not about the small reward of getting a grade now; it’s about the habits you’re building for your future.” Mr. Garman and Mrs. Teague are both setting a positive example for their students by continuing to build their own teaching habits. Online tools like Screencastify, Peardeck, Quizizz, Edulastic, and Google Classroom could see use in Mr. Garman’s classroom when NRHS eventually returns to in-person learning. Mrs. Teague plans on implementing a similar set of online tools in her normal classes. She might also offer Zoom meetings to students who cannot get to class in-person but would still like to attend the lesson. People are hoping for less of a need for masks in 2021.