As students and teachers have been forced to change course to an online form of education this school year, both groups have come to an unexpected realization that seemingly nothing is the same. Early on, teachers have found out that they have no choice but to make unconventional adjustments when it comes to certain aspects of the teaching process. In fact, remote education has completely altered the way they go about teaching on a day-to-day basis. A primary example of this is the testing process, with teachers resorting to new preventative methods to do away with cheating and ensure honesty in an online environment.

Unsurprisingly, teachers have already struggled with this aspect, with students coming up with clever methods to deceive them. However, many teachers have been able to turn the tables on students, effectively using methods of their own to catch students in the act. The biggest instance of this in play has been with IB teachers like Michelle Luco, who have been taking advantage of plagiarism checkers such as ‘TurnItIn’ to make certain that their students’ work is their own. “I can’t stop my students from using their notes during exams,” Luco said. “Despite this, our exams are essays, so I can use the site to make sure students are writing in their own words and their work is original.”

Teachers have quickly realized there is a sharp contrast between student behavior in face-to-face and online environments. The computer screen is where the difference has played out, with its limits making it all the more difficult for teachers and students to effectively communicate. Whether it be students’ cameras being off, or certain helpful resources out of sight of the camera even if it’s on, teachers have struggled with one question during this unique school year: ‘How can I ensure honesty out of my students?’”

Student behavior is something that teachers haven’t been able to predict during remote education. Students are now in the driver’s seat, with many aspects of the educational process now out of a teacher’s control. The constraints of an online education have been the root of the problem, as teachers have been laboring in trying to prevent students from taking advantage of their favorable conditions. A certain sophomore student who chose to remain anonymous said that teacher behavior would be the deciding factor when it comes to ensuring honesty out of students. “I feel that how a teacher treats their students is key,” they said. “People may be more obliged to not cheat on a test if a teacher was nice and understanding with them, and vice versa.”

Teachers have been forced into difficult circumstances because of online education. As they continue to assign online tests and exams, cheating and student honesty continue to be one of their utmost concerns. According to some, maybe their behavior toward their students is the answer they’ve been seeking.