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Finding cheaters using multiple-choice comparisons

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Re: Finding cheaters using multiple-choice comparisons

#21

Post by xkcd-sucks »

MollyR wrote: post #2

I don't particularly like the idea of harassing possibly innocent students. Innocent students might be under pressure with no proof of innocence, since they assumed to be guilty. They might do a cost/benefit analysis and admit guilt. Also if cheating is really such a concern, why not just handle it in a similar way to the american GRE's or SAT's ?

Based on the policies of the two universities at which I've taught, it seems like there's no possible benefit to admitting guilt.

The only foolproof way to "convict" someone of cheating is to have (several) people witness/record the incident. If a student accused of cheating categorically denies everything, they're usually in the clear (although faculty will say nasty things in private).

Re: Finding cheaters using multiple-choice comparisons

#22

Post by littletimmy »

chucksmash wrote: post #17
littletimmy wrote: post #12

Cheating is a natural consequence of society putting a huge value on grade-point-averages and other dullard measures of achievement. If I had to sit through a lecture room with 200 students (TWO HUNDRED!) and I was absolutely confident that the professor cannot possibly give a shit about my learning in this crowd, I too would cheat.

"a natural consequence of society......" You could use this justification to rationalize any sort of unethical behavior you like. Embezzlement is a natural consequence of society putting a huge value on owning a Benz and other dullard measures of achievement! That is to say, I disagree wholeheartedly.

There is a world of difference between the importance of a GPA and the importance of a Benz.

Low GPA means no good job straight out of college (because apparently you need a 3.5+ from an ivy league school to model in excel) means in a lot of cases lesser income for the rest of your life.

No Benz means you can drive a Toyota. Big whoop.

Re: Finding cheaters using multiple-choice comparisons

#24

Post by jackmaney »

afandian wrote: post #23

How widespread is multiple choice at university level? I've never come across it.

For exams, it's nearly unheard of in small classes (ie <= 30 or so people), but in large lecture halls with hundreds of students, it's not uncommon (especially for general education large lecture courses).

Re: Finding cheaters using multiple-choice comparisons

#26

Post by chucksmash »

littletimmy wrote: post #22
chucksmash wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"a natural consequence of society......" You could use this justification to rationalize any sort of unethical behavior you like. Embezzlement is a natural consequence of society putting a huge value on owning a Benz and other dullard measures of achievement! That is to say, I disagree wholeheartedly.

There is a world of difference between the importance of a GPA and the importance of a Benz. Low GPA means no good job straight out of college (because apparently you need a 3.5+ from an ivy league school to model in excel) means in a lot of cases lesser income for the rest of your life. No Benz means you can drive a Toyota. Big whoop.

Why do you think you are automatically entitled to a good job straight out of college?

Your reply vis-a-vis a Mercedes vs lifetime earnings seems to imply that you are willing to sell your integrity for some value x: $(Benz - Toyota) < x <= ~$2,000,000 (spread out over a lifetime). I'm a bit incredulous that your reply was basically that the only reason you would act ethically in my hypothetical situation was because you required a higher bribe.

Re: Finding cheaters using multiple-choice comparisons

#27

Post by pavel_lishin »

littletimmy wrote: post #12

Cheating is a natural consequence of society putting a huge value on grade-point-averages and other dullard measures of achievement. If I had to sit through a lecture room with 200 students (TWO HUNDRED!) and I was absolutely confident that the professor cannot possibly give a shit about my learning in this crowd, I too would cheat.

Wouldn't that only harm you? Wouldn't you only be cheating yourself?

I don't understand why your professors' interest in your personal learning would impact your own desire to learn.

(Thinking about it a bit more, I can vaguely understand this if it's a required class that you have no actual interest in - an elective you had to take because all others were taken, or if you were retaking a class that you were already very familiar with - but at that point, cheating would be redundant.)

Re: Finding cheaters using multiple-choice comparisons

#28

Post by [deleted] »

littletimmy wrote: post #12

Cheating is a natural consequence of society putting a huge value on grade-point-averages and other dullard measures of achievement. If I had to sit through a lecture room with 200 students (TWO HUNDRED!) and I was absolutely confident that the professor cannot possibly give a shit about my learning in this crowd, I too would cheat.

[deleted]

Re: Finding cheaters using multiple-choice comparisons

#29

Post by pavel_lishin »

littletimmy wrote: post #22
chucksmash wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"a natural consequence of society......" You could use this justification to rationalize any sort of unethical behavior you like. Embezzlement is a natural consequence of society putting a huge value on owning a Benz and other dullard measures of achievement! That is to say, I disagree wholeheartedly.

There is a world of difference between the importance of a GPA and the importance of a Benz. Low GPA means no good job straight out of college (because apparently you need a 3.5+ from an ivy league school to model in excel) means in a lot of cases lesser income for the rest of your life. No Benz means you can drive a Toyota. Big whoop.

> No Benz means you can drive a Toyota. Big whoop.

It can be much easier to get a job, and achieve other things, if you have the proper toys to signal your social status with.

Re: Finding cheaters using multiple-choice comparisons

#30

Post by dweinus »

I wonder if the front-back case is the top-most red dot. This would be explained if the front person was innocent and the person behind them copied. Not having the benefit of collusion, they have more shared wrong answers. Also, they have less answers in common overall, which supports the non-collusion theory.
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