A new study by Commonsense Media shows that 1/3 of all students with a cell phone has cheated at least once with their phone. They do this by texting, going online and by storing information on their phone. Amazingly 52% of teens admitted to some form of cheating using the internet. A whopping 1 in 4 students doesn’t feel what they are doing is considered cheating. Of course, out of 76% of parents, although they believe it happens at school, only 3% think their child has cheated. Imagine that!
Now, are these results that remarkable really? No, not really. From writing on the hand to passing notes, kids have always found a way to cheat. Most parents will stick their head in the sand on this issue. Little Johnny would NEVER do that!
My question is where are the teachers? I was a substitute teacher for a while. I never sat at my desk during a test. I walked the room constantly watching and letting the students be very aware I was watching. Students are less likely to even attempt to cheat if they know they are being closely watched. Ask them, they’ll tell you. If I saw a cell phone, I took it until the end of class. Simple. I may not have caught every cheater, but I bet I deterred a lot of cheating and stopped others dead in their tracks.
I know many teachers that use test time to grade papers and do other administrative work only glancing up occasionally. In this day of technology, that isn’t going to work anymore.
Cell phones are not to blame here, although they certainly are the accomplice. Teachers need to be more proactive and parents need to focus on instilling more about the value of honesty in their children. (But, that is a whole other blog post.)
Just my .02 for today.
8 Responses to “Cell Phones And Cheating In School: Where Are The Teachers?”
Debbie
1 year ago
Not cool. Cheating is “okay” now, apparently, instead of something we are to avoid. Where are the parents? And yes, where are the teachers? My teachers patrolled too – cheating was pretty rare in my classes! If I ever find out my girls cheat using their phones – they’ll be grounded from their phones!
Amy
1 year ago
I agree totally…cheating was rare in my classes too. But we didn’t have this technology then did we?
Erin Hill
1 year ago
I was wondering if this was being done. It seems so eay now, and you’re right, the teachers are probably using that time for other things. Maybe all cell phones should be forfeited before tests in a big box. Poor teachers. One more thing to deal with. I bet substitute teaching was tough!
Amy
1 year ago
Sub teaching wasn’t easy. I didn’t like teaching the high school kids honestly. I preferred the elementary grades.
Jendi
1 year ago
I recently read that texting is a big problem in schools because the students can do it under their desk or with their hand in their backpack. They do it so much they don’t have to look at the phone to send it. One girl got major cramps in her thumbs she did it so much.
Amy Hass
1 year ago
I understand that Jendi…but during a test, the teachers ought to be super diligent about watching these kids. It wouldn’t be perfect for sure but it would help. And yes, the cramping has a name. Blackberry Thumb! LOL
Danielle
1 year ago
I used to be a guide for chacha and when I worked in the morning I got all kinds of school or homework type questions! I can’t believe that schools even allow cell phones in class rooms!
Amy Hass
1 year ago
I can’t believe it either!