Introduction
To “cheat” in the classroom is to engage in dishonest action that helps one student do better than their peers on a test or other academic evaluation. Plagiarism, utilizing unapproved materials on examinations, copying from classmates, falsifying scores, passing off someone else’s work as one’s own, and using technology to modify answers are just a few examples of how students might cheat. Cheating is detrimental to the academic process and may lead to severe repercussions for dishonest pupils.
Cheating Issue
Cheating is a growing problem in colleges across the country. This presentation will examine the causes and consequences of cheating and why it is important to address this issue. This problem is significant to study because it is common. Cheating significantly affects the quality of student learning since dishonest task performance results in a lower-quality education. Moreover, it affects teachers’ motivation because they do not see the results of their work.
Reasons for Cheating
Due to the increasing competitiveness in academic environments, many students feel tremendous pressure to thrive (Cinar & Benneworth, 2021). Students often fail to manage their time successfully. This might cause students to fall behind on their assignments and tests, prompting them to cheat to catch up.
College may be a problematic and anxiety-inducing experience for many people. In certain instances, students commit academic dishonesty to ease the stress and worry associated with their academic performance. When students face difficult times, they may believe that cheating is their only alternative to academic success.
Cheating Consequences
Cheating can have severe consequences for students, both academically and personally. One of the most obvious consequences is the academic penalty. If caught, students may receive a failing grade on the assignment or the entire course. In some cases, students may be expelled from college, which can have a long-lasting impact on their education and career opportunities. In addition, cheating leads to insufficient competence in areas such as medicine or engineering, where a mistake costs unacceptably high.
It is important to note that while these are common reasons students cheat, they are not excuses. Cheating is a serious academic offense that can have significant consequences for students, including failing courses, academic probation, and even expulsion. Students must prioritize academic integrity and seek help to avoid cheating. Cheating undermines trust in the education system as a whole, which can lead to the devaluation of the importance of education.
Cheating Prevention
Educating students about the importance of academic integrity, the consequences of cheating, and how to avoid it is a vital prevention strategy. This can be done through orientation programs, workshops, and seminars. Plagiarism detection software, such as Turnitin, can identify instances of academic dishonesty. Technology can act as a deterrent and encourage students to submit original work.
Clear guidelines and expectations for assignments and exams help students understand what is expected of them and reduce the likelihood of cheating. Creating a culture of honesty and ethical behavior can help prevent cheating. This can be done by encouraging open communication, emphasizing the importance of integrity, and promoting positive role models. Providing students with resources and support to improve their time management skills can help reduce the stress and anxiety that can lead to cheating.
In summary, preventing cheating requires a combination of strategies that address the root causes of academic dishonesty. Educating students on academic integrity, using technology to identify cheating, providing clear guidelines and expectations, promoting ethical behavior, and supporting time management skills are all effective ways to prevent cheating in academic settings.
Academic Honesty Policy
The academic integrity policy has been developed to ensure a fair, transparent, and correct attitude toward academic integrity issues. The university is a community whose activities aim to teach, research, and develop information technology. The quality of education is based on purposeful activities that follow the principles of integrity, trust, tolerance, fairness, and responsibility. Quality teaching and academic mobility achieve a high level of training for students and residents.
Cheating represents injustice within the school system. It is directly translatable as an unfair advantage over peers that may have a lasting negative impact on the academic program overall. In summary, the academic honesty policy prevents cheating in a college setting. It sets the standard for academic integrity, outlines the consequences of cheating, and encourages students to adhere to ethical behavior. By familiarizing themselves with the policy and adhering to its guidelines, students can ensure a fair and equal academic environment for all.
Ethical Perspective
Kant’s viewpoint on cheating is based on his moral philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of duty and respect for others (Fairbanks). Kant believed cheating is always wrong because it violates the principle of treating others as ends in themselves and not merely as means to our ends (Fairbanks). According to Kant, we have a moral duty to respect the autonomy and dignity of others, which includes refraining from cheating (Fairbanks).
Academic dishonesty, while threatening, can be considered a positive aspect. For example, when a student becomes a full-fledged member, it positively influences society. In this case, there is an improvement in the condition of many people, which is considered a social good. However, this perspective can rarely be observed; cheating mainly leads to negative consequences. If cheating harms others or undermines the trust necessary for social cooperation, it may be considered morally wrong. From a utilitarian perspective, the morality of cheating depends on the net effect of its consequences.
Conclusion
As traditional forms of cheating become easier to detect, students may begin to use new methods. For example, some students may use smartwatches or other wearable technology to receive answers during exams. Colleges must stay current on emerging cheating forms and develop strategies to combat them. Student achievement is a significant component of the learning process, which can also be achieved through interaction with other students.
References
Cinar, R., & Benneworth, P. Why do universities have little systemic impact on social innovation? An institutional logic perspective. 2021. Growth and Change, 52(2), 751-769. Web.
Fairbanks, S. J. Kantian moral theory and the destruction of the self. 2019. Routledge.
Mulgan, T. Utilitarianism. 2019. Cambridge University Press.
Skshidlevsky, A. Academic cheating statistics: How many students cheat in college & high school in 2022? 2022. ProctorEdu. Web.
University of South Florida (USF). (n.d.). For students. Ethics and Integrity. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/students/ethics-integrity.aspx