A report on the local news yesterday discussed the phenomenon of students employing mobile phones to cheat in school. My first response was one of recognition; the act of cheating has been prevalent for centuries. The techniques used for cheating are not particularly intriguing. Whether it involves writing answers on their palms, utilizing calculators for automated solutions, searching for information on Google via their smartphones, or whispering to fellow students, the reality is that students have always engaged in cheating. This is not a surprising development.
The report detailed the experiences of a 19-year-old college student who admitted to regularly cheating with his phone, saying, "I cheat all the time, and it’s not a big deal. If the teacher doesn’t catch me, who cares? I’m just one student in a city of millions, seeking a marginally higher grade on an exam."
Another student expressed a belief that, given the prevalence of lying and cheating in society, they should not feel compelled to avoid similar actions. They observed that athletes regularly use performance-enhancing drugs, large corporations often manipulate their financial statements and exploit offshore tax havens, and banks provide loans to individuals who are unlikely to repay them. With such a significant lack of honesty in various domains, they questioned the justification for not attempting to leverage every possible advantage.
The report conveys an interesting notion: it is difficult to believe that any students did not consider accessing Google during a history examination. They are now informed. "Oh, so that is the Union commander from the Battle of Antietam. Thank you, Internet!"
There’s a few ways to beat mobile phone cheating. One is simply to ban phones from the classroom. Will there be a few people who sneak them in? Yes, of course, but if the majority abide by the ban, then the minority who ignore the ban will be easier to catch. You could also, say, buy (or build, I suppose) a cell phone jammer. They’re not hard to find, only cost a few hundred dollars, and would prevent the use of mobile Internet access. (Cell phone jamming may actually be illegal, so best to check on your local laws and such if you don’t want The Man on your case.)
To summarize, students intent on cheating will employ various tactics, whether it be through a phone or a scrap of paper. Educators can either encourage students to act with integrity, despite the lack of compelling reasons for them to do so, or they might consider isolating the classroom with a Faraday Cage. Ultimately, one may need to accept the reality of the situation as it stands.