Skip to main content

Cheating Students Are Not Alone


According to a confidential national survey, 74% of students admitted to cheating or knowing someone who cheated in school.  This is a highly disappointing number.  Teachers work, not only to teach their students a specific subject but to promote a sense of honesty and integrity in their students.   When a student cheats they fall short of both goals.  The act of cheating represents three ethical wrongs: cheating=sneaking+lying+stealing.  First, a student plans how to deceive a teacher.  Second, a student carries out the act putting his or her name on another person’s work.  Last, a student hands the work in calming to have done the work.  


Other studies have shown that most teenagers experienced the desire to cheat.  Many who do, have tried once or twice. Oftentimes feeling guilty or shameful, they do not attempt it again.  However, some of those who succeed, continue to cheat, eventually feeling trapped in the need to cheat regularly. While it may appear odd that someone could be “addicted” to cheating, its a thought worth keeping in mind.  Why do students cheat?  Let's forget the obvious that some students are lazy and don’t want to study and look at other reasons.  Psychologists suggest that many high performing students cheat because they experience intense pressure to earn high grades and compete with their peers.  Many also believe that cheating is also a normal part of a teenager’s perceived need to rebel against authority.  


Whatever the reason, decreases academic competitiveness and cheating lowers a student self-esteem.  We all understand that if a student doesn’t study, he or she is less likely to remember the information needed in the future and more likely to cheat out of “need”.  What about self-esteem?  When a person cheats, they admit to themselves that they cannot earn the grade they want. Traditionally, students who feel unsuccessful perform lower, thus re-enforcing the desire to cheat.  


What can parents and teachers do about this growing problem in our schools?  Teachers need to create a culture within their classrooms that encourages students to try their best and discourages cheating.  Many teachers overlook minor cheating like students work together on their homework. Others do not take the time or lack the sufficient technology to investigate plagiarism.  If teachers do not sternly oppose all forms of cheating they silently endorse the act.  Parents should take the time to talk to their children about the seriousness of cheating.  They should also check their child’s work from time-to-time to ensure their child is not cheating. 

Comments

Popular Posts

Harry Potter Myers-Briggs Chart [infographic]

Harry Potter Myers-Briggs Chart [infographic]

I AM the Good Shepherd Keeping the Sheep Gate

“I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture… I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (RSV-CE Jn. 10:7,9,11,14) Chapter 10 begins what is known as the “Shepherd Discourse”.  John does not transition into this, instead he abruptly begins.  In John’s Gospel, this discourse marks a transition.  The conspiracy and planned violence against Jesus intensifies.  In this post I will address two self-naming statements of Jesus, “I am the Gatekeeper” and “I am the Good Shepherd”.  Unlike the previous statements, these two appear in the same chapter and are directly related.  In this discourse the meaning is quite clear and easy to foll

Do you suffer from test anxiety?

Test anxiety is a common problem for many students.  Here are some things that can be done to reduce anxiety. Ask for help . Just talking to someone about test anxiety can make you feel better. Describe what happens to you when you're taking a test and these people can help you figure out some solutions.  Be prepared . Pay attention in class. Do your homework. Study for the test. On test day, you're more likely to feel like you know the material . Expect the best . Once you have prepared, think positively. Say to yourself, "I studied and I'm ready to do my best." Block bad thoughts. Watch out for any negative messages you might be sending yourself about the test ("I'm no good at taking tests" or "I'm going to freak out if I get a bad grade"). These thoughts can make anxiety worse and make it harder for you to do well on the test . Accept mistakes . Everyone makes mistakes. Be more forgiving of your own mistakes, especially if you prep

Revelation, Its About My Now

The last of the four schools of interpreting John’s Book of Revelation is the spiritualist view.  Spiritualistic interpretation is a relatively new theory that tends to over emphasize symbolism.  The spiritualist believes that the book focuses on the struggles of all Christians in any age, not specifically the original readers, the past, or future.  Revelation is intended to inspire Christians being persecuted.  The spiritualist argues that looking for meaning in the past and constructing meaning is a future forward view is guesswork at best.  Any attempt at a literal interpretation is absurd.  Furthermore, any attempt to find such meaning may conflict with the spiritual meaning for which the spiritualist is searching.  This type of reading is inspirational, except it does ignore the fact that John’s book is written as a letter to be publicly read.  John wrote and sent this letter to seven specific Churches.  John also stressed that events would soon take place.  This sets

I AM the Light of the World

Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. "  (John 8:12) Light is a powerful symbol and practical necessity.  Without it, we wouldn’t have night time events.  In chapter 8, Jesus is teaching in Jerusalem during the feast of Tabernacles.  Large lamp stands were placed in the Temple Court to illuminate the way for pilgrims.  Light takes on a symbolic and theological image in this context as well.  We understand light as a reference to the darkness of sin, “ In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it .” (1:4-5)  Looking further into chapter 9, we see that light is more appropriately juxtaposed with blindness.  Those who are confident in their own “light” (idea that they possess the wisdom to turn from darkness” are blind.  Jesus is the light which guides the pilgrims and restores