Broken Trust - A different perspective!
By underdogy
@underdogy (700)
Thailand
June 21, 2010 9:42am CST
This morning i gave a test to my students about parts of the letter, though there were some who got a not so good score, the majority were happy 
. I thought everything will be OK for my afternoon class since they are a bit better than the former...
I asked them to put everything away from their desk but saw two students making notes and seemed oblivious of everything. They were by the way not seated next to each other and I was under the impression that they were doing a homework from a different subject. Curious as i am, I asked them what they were doing and had a peak on their notes. I was flabbergasted because both of them wrote the same thing and to top it off, those were the answers to my questions as i compared it to my test.
Writing the same thing at the same time from two different people is somehow next to impossible (not unless it's part of a task given to BOTH of them or whatever it is). I had a hunch that my morning class gave them the answers because we answered it before they left home. These students are very nice, friendly and i can see their willingness to learn. But what they did somehow broke my trust to them...I cheated when i was at school myself and hated my teachers for reacting so much about it. Now, I am fully enlightened because i am seeing things from a different perspective, from a teacher's point of view and seeing students cheating is unbearable. Now i am thinking of what will i do to them..Any suggestions?
. I thought everything will be OK for my afternoon class since they are a bit better than the former...
I asked them to put everything away from their desk but saw two students making notes and seemed oblivious of everything. They were by the way not seated next to each other and I was under the impression that they were doing a homework from a different subject. Curious as i am, I asked them what they were doing and had a peak on their notes. I was flabbergasted because both of them wrote the same thing and to top it off, those were the answers to my questions as i compared it to my test.
Writing the same thing at the same time from two different people is somehow next to impossible (not unless it's part of a task given to BOTH of them or whatever it is). I had a hunch that my morning class gave them the answers because we answered it before they left home. These students are very nice, friendly and i can see their willingness to learn. But what they did somehow broke my trust to them...I cheated when i was at school myself and hated my teachers for reacting so much about it. Now, I am fully enlightened because i am seeing things from a different perspective, from a teacher's point of view and seeing students cheating is unbearable. Now i am thinking of what will i do to them..Any suggestions?2 responses
@meemingNEW (2226)
• Philippines
21 Jun 10
I do understand you that you're disappointed with your students and I'm sorry about that. I do have experienced the same thing as a student just like how your students cheated on your test.
I suggest that you learn from it. I mean, since you already caught your students stealing answers from the other class who knows the answers already. Would you let them do it again to you? I guess NOT. Then you have to change your ways. Instead of giving the answers to the morning class after they take up the test, why don't you let them know the answers after the afternoon class have answered theirs? It may cause you time but at least it will be difficult for students to cheat. Or, you can just bring the answered test papers and try to check it yourself? or ask a student assistant to help you?
As for the students that you caught cheating, just keep a very close eye on them. Be extra observant. If they do that again, then I guess they deserve to be given detentions. Decreasing their grades is a bit unfair because they may be the ones whom you caught cheating but they're not the only ones who do that. You just caught only two. but almost everyone cheats. that's a fact. Hope you'll be able to solve your problem . Best of luck
@underdogy (700)
• Thailand
22 Jun 10
Thanks for the input and wonderful advice especially, letting my afternoon class have their test taken first before letting my morning class know their answers. I don't let my students check their own papers because i'm afraid of any doctored papers lol. I am thinking of being somehow a little stricter too because i have been very lax with them since the very beginning.
As for the students whom i caught, i will surely keep an eye on them coz i really don't want that to happen again...ever! Even the class as a whole..Much thanks.
@underdogy (700)
• Thailand
22 Jun 10
It is indeed bad however, i was just wondering if what needs to be elaborated? I am sorry but i think i said everything i want to say. Thanks for the input by the way.
