15th Street News What a Cheat Volume L
Fall 2021
Issue 1
By Laura Huskey | Editor-in-Chief With more and more classes moving online within the past two years, it’s clear that cheating has become more accessible while students are at home. With this concern, the main question to ask is: What is it that drives students to cheat? There are many variables involved. Students may not feel confident enough in their own knowledge, they may not have taken the time to study or truly learn their material or they may have difficulties studying or comprehending course material. Researchers at the International Center for Academic Integrity found in a survey of 840 students across multiple college campuses that nearly 30% of students admitted to cheating on an exam. Students who cheat simply because they can or because they have no desire to put in the effort are often the ones thought of when it comes to cheating, but this is not the only reason. In fact, many students admit that the times they turned to cheating were because they were desperate. In our high-stress world of success-or-nothing, many students feel as if they cannot make a mistake. People within society are often reminded that failure is not an option. For students who are going through difficult times, cheating becomes all the more attractive. When the rest of the world is overwhelming, cheating off notes during class could act as a way to ground them. Cheating can be a safety net. “I had a difficult time studying. I also ended up missing a lot of classes, specifically in high school, and teachers weren’t always the most accommodating,” a former undergraduate student said. “I fell behind and it felt like there was nothing I could do. There was such an immense pressure on me to keep up good grades and succeed; otherwise, I would face punishment at home. So I cheated.” For many, they face the repercus-
Illustration provided by Laura Huskey.
sions both at home and at school. Many students may weigh the consequences of being caught cheating as less harmful than whatever punishment they may face at home for having less than exemplary grades. This causes many to wonder whether cheating needs to be punished or if this means teachers need to reach out and offer more assistance to their struggling students. There are many differing opinions within every generation on whether the actions taken to discipline those who cheat are adequate. Some see consequences as too harsh, while others see them as not harsh enough. Rose State’s Cheating or Plagiarism policy lists disciplinary action, incident reports, appeals, and conduct reviews as the actions taken toward a student who cheats or plagiarizes material. Rose State Philosophy Professor Guy Crain, thinks it’s more appropriate to say cheating should be dis-
incentivized rather than “punished.” “I don’t like the word ‘punished’ because it has punitive connotations — like someone deserves or earns harm and suffering because of what they did,” Crain said. Crain wants students to be able to really learn and to cultivate a desire to gain knowledge. There’s a value in learning that cannot be earned by cutting corners. He said a considerable amount of responsibility for this comes to rest on the teachers as well. Teachers should consider designing curricula that make it clear to students how beneficial and valuable it is to learn. Teachers could ask themselves what reasonable paths they have taken to build that environment. Crain suggested it’s likely time for teachers to create better assignments that focus on developing deeper cognitive skills and teach students how to do well, rather than simply recall whatever they need for an exam.
The requirement for memory recall can be a large stumbling block in the academic careers of many, as well as unnecessary for some fields of work. Both students and teachers need to consider what it is that personally causes students to feel like they need to cheat, and take the actions to help these students learn and gain the knowledge they need for their lives.
TIPS FOR STRUGGLING STUDENTS - Take advantage of the tutoring resources here at Rose - Don’t be afraid to ask your professors for clarification on concepts you don’t understand - Take time to give yourself and your brain a break. Learning is tough! - Visit the Rose State College Counseling Center
IN THIS ISSUE: Rose Professor Runs for Mayor Page 3
Why Humanities are Important Page 4
Album Hype Page 9