Cheating in the Academic Environment

Abstract

The term cheating is an emotive one when used in the academic environment. It suggests that a student is obtaining an unfair advantage over others or is aiming to put the value of the educational system in jeopardy. In reality, student cheating is a difficult subject to address. Students are encouraged to act with academic integrity, but they are not always equipped with the core skills they need for success. Students do not always find faculty members modelling academic integrity values through their own behaviour. This chapter briefly introduces key concepts on educational cheating, including a discussion on the factors that draw students to cheat. Some methods of cheating that educational providers need to be aware of are explored. These methods include plagiarism, collusion, contract cheating, the use of file sharing sites, the misuse of text spinning software, exam cheating and opportunities for students to breach security systems. Student cheating opportunities are changing in relation to advances in technology. The academic environment needs to continually consider how teaching and assessment will remain current, valid and fit for purpose in an ever-changing world.