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Using Technology to Curb Cheating in Online Education

Combating Cheating in Online Classes with the Help of Technology

By Oscar MariPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
Using Technology to Curb Cheating in Online Education
Photo by fran innocenti on Unsplash

With the rise of online education, students can now take classes from anywhere in the world. While this has made education more accessible, it has also created new challenges. One of these challenges is the temptation for students to pay someone else to take their online classes. This undermines the entire purpose of education and can have serious consequences. However, technology can be used to curb this problem. Using advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence tools, these programs can identify patterns of behaviour that could indicate cheating. They can also compare the work of a single student across multiple courses or over time to look for inconsistencies. This provides a powerful tool for educators to monitor their students and ensure that all work is being done by the student enrolled in the course.

One way to address this problem is through the use of proctoring software. Proctoring software can monitor a student’s activity during an online exam to ensure that they are the ones doing the work. This software can detect suspicious activity, such as multiple mouse clicks or excessive scrolling, and flag it for review. This can deter students from cheating by having someone else take their exams.

Many universities now use proctoring software to monitor online exams, which has made it much harder for students to get away with cheating.

Another way technology can be used is by implementing unique identifier systems. These systems assign each student a unique identifier tied to their online activities. This allows instructors to track and monitor each student’s progress easily. If any irregularities are detected, such as work being completed at an unnatural pace or work that appears to be done by someone else, the instructor can investigate. This type of technology can also help to identify and prevent fraud by ensuring that the student who enrols in a course is the same student who completes the course. A good example is the University of Toronto, which uses an identifier system to verify student identity and track course progress. Biometric authentication can also ensure that the student taking an exam is indeed the same person who enrolled in the course.

Additionally, AI can grade student work, freeing instructors from the time-consuming task of grading large numbers of assignments. AI algorithms can quickly and accurately grade student work based on predefined criteria. This saves time and reduces the potential for human error and bias in grading. With AI grading, students are more likely to receive a fair and accurate assessment of their work, reducing the incentive to pay someone else to take their classes.

Finally, educational institutions can use technology to create a culture of integrity and accountability. By using technology to monitor and enforce academic standards, schools can clearly message students that cheating will not be tolerated. This can help to create a culture where students feel motivated to do their best work rather than seeking shortcuts.

Technology can be a powerful tool to help prevent students from hiring someone else to take their online classes. By implementing proctoring software, unique identifier systems, and biometric authentication, instructors can create a secure environment where cheating is much harder to get away with. This ensures that students get the most out of their online education and that the integrity of online courses is maintained. Technology can help ensure students have a quality educational experience and are held accountable for their work.

In conclusion, technology can play a significant role in preventing students from paying someone else to take their online classes. From proctoring software to AI grading and unique identifier systems, technology can help to ensure that students are held accountable for their education. By promoting a culture of integrity and accountability, schools can encourage students to do their best work, which is the foundation of a meaningful and successful education.

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About the Creator

Oscar Mari

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  • Brandony Joness3 years ago

    The use of technology to prevent cheating in online education is an important issue to consider, as cheating can undermine the integrity and value of online learning. With the increasing prevalence of online education, it is important to find effective ways to prevent cheating that are both ethical and practical. However, it is also important to recognize the limitations of technology and to ensure that any measures taken to prevent cheating do not create undue stress or unfairly disadvantage students. Ultimately, a balanced approach that combines technology with ethical and educational strategies may be the most effective way to curb cheating in online education.

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