Preventing Networked Gizmo Use During Exams?

bcrowell writes "I'm a college physics professor. My students all want to use calculators during exams, and some of them whose native language isn't English also want to use electronic dictionaries. I had a Korean student who was upset and dropped the course when I told her she couldn't use her iPod during an exam — she said she used it as a dictionary. It gets tough for me to distinguish networked devices (iPhone? iTouch?) from non-networked ones (calculator? electronic dictionary? iPod?). I give open-notes exams, so it's not memory that's an issue, it's networking. Currently our classrooms have poor wireless receptivity (no Wi-Fi, possible cell, depending on your carrier), but as of spring 2011 we will have Wi-Fi everywhere. What's the best way to handle this? I'd prefer not to make them all buy the same overpriced graphing calculator. I'm thinking of buying 30 el-cheapo four-function calculators out of my pocket, but I'm afraid that less-adaptable students will be unable to handle the switch from the calculator they know to an unfamiliar (but simpler) one."

Comments

Pen.

[drolli]

I hold a PHD in physics.

-A pen is enough. In physics exams students should prove they can transform formulas symbolically. Typing in number can be done by people at the cashier desk. Graphing calculators are a disease.

-Everybody who wants, can take in a standalone mp3-player - these are cheap.

-Regarding the dictionary - these exist in paper and are cheap - and faster than an ipod.

Most important: who uses sophistication to cheat and i caught should be removed from the studies immediately.

Re:Open Notes & Well-Designed Exams

[Antisyzygy]

The GRE was the biggest joke of a test I have ever taken. It did nothing to test my capabilities. It only tested whether or not I actually bothered to purchase the prep materials from the private company that administers it.