Spring Break
Cheating the system
Troy University's test webcams aren't enough to stop determined cheaters, says Kevin Alexander
By: Kevin Alexander
Issue date: 6/27/07 Section: Opinion
If Troy allows students to sell back the cameras at full price, then the situation is more reasonable, but most could use the $125 to fund more pressing concerns, like hunger.
Whenever an institution needs to resort to breaching privacy to get something done, it usually means that institution isn't thinking hard enough to overcome a problem. A webcam may not be a grievous rejection of privacy, but it opens an uneasy door that could be used to justify further intrusions.
A student's home is a symbolic sanctuary, and there is just something wrong about forcing someone to open it up for others to view when another solution could be had.
If professors are really concerned about cheating, then they should lean heavily on writing assignments or group activities. Force the students to attend a testing location - if this is not possible (for instance, students in the military), make them mail in a hard copy with a supervisor's, or superior officer's signature and contact information. Educators can monitor how much time each student spends on each question - institute a time limit for each problem so students don't have time to flip through a textbook or ask a friend.
Above all else, though, public education needs to recognize the fact that mankind just doesn't have the technology to outwit a cheater without trampling privacy rights. Cheaters have been getting around the system for years. An overpriced tech-toy isn't going to stop us lying scum from continuing to do it in the future.
Whenever an institution needs to resort to breaching privacy to get something done, it usually means that institution isn't thinking hard enough to overcome a problem. A webcam may not be a grievous rejection of privacy, but it opens an uneasy door that could be used to justify further intrusions.
A student's home is a symbolic sanctuary, and there is just something wrong about forcing someone to open it up for others to view when another solution could be had.
If professors are really concerned about cheating, then they should lean heavily on writing assignments or group activities. Force the students to attend a testing location - if this is not possible (for instance, students in the military), make them mail in a hard copy with a supervisor's, or superior officer's signature and contact information. Educators can monitor how much time each student spends on each question - institute a time limit for each problem so students don't have time to flip through a textbook or ask a friend.
Above all else, though, public education needs to recognize the fact that mankind just doesn't have the technology to outwit a cheater without trampling privacy rights. Cheaters have been getting around the system for years. An overpriced tech-toy isn't going to stop us lying scum from continuing to do it in the future.
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