Academic Integrityand Management of Exams:

A Guide for GAs and TAs

September 2015September 2015

Danieli Arbex , Ph.D. (J.S.D.)

Academic Integrity Officer www.uwindsor.ca/aio

Overview

Values Your role Challenges you may faceSenate Policy on Conduct of Exams and

Tests

Academic Integrity Fundamental Values

HONESTY – do your own workTRUTH – do what is rightRESPECT – for oneself as well as othersFAIRNESS – clear expectationsRESPONSIBILITY - serving as positive exampleCOURAGE – translating values into action

As a GA/TA you are . . .

a role model upon whomothers rely

in a position oftrust

privy toconfidentialinformation

in a position ofresponsibility

Your Various Roles

MarkingAssisting students with assignmentsBeing available during office hoursServing as a research assistantProctoring examinations

Meet Ted, a new G.A.

(like you!)

Ted’s First Dilemma

THE ASSISTANCE SEEKERS

The Scene: Ted’s G.A. OfficeThe Time: Early in the semester

Oh, I think you’ll want to be giving our group project an “A” Ted. You

wouldn’t want us to tell everyone – including the prof – about that little

“mishap” you had last year, now would you?

Trust me, Ted. It

wouldn’t be pretty.

Yeah. So think about it

Ted.

Our friends are still anxious to make you pay for that one,

Ted.

What should Ted do?

A. Give them an A – but only if they really deserve it. B. Give them a little boost – maybe half a

grade, but that’s all. What if they carry out

the threat?C. Report the threat to his supervisor.D. Walk away and hope for the best. He doesn’t want trouble.

Your Obligation Under the Collective Agreement

The option C is correct.If someone threatens you:

“The obligation of each employee to report safety hazards to supervisory personnel of the Employer and, where reasonable, to take positive measures to correct the same is acknowledged.”

Excerpt from Article 18.01 of the 2011 Agreement.

Management of Exams: Before*

Read training materials: review duties. Arrive 15 minutes early.Observe the 30-minute rule.

Can’t leave in first 30 minutes Can’t enter after first 30 minutes

Check ID cards AND pictures. Obtain signatures.Verify legitimacy of materials being used.

Books, calculators, notes, formulae

* See Senate Policy on Conduct of Exams and Tests

Management of Exams: During*

Find out what the professor wants you to do with respect to students’ questions.

Communicate in the language of instruction.

Devote complete attention to the task.Circulate frequently.Ensure students’ needs are promptly met.Focus: quiet and diligent invigilation.

* See Senate Policy on Conduct of Exams and Tests

Ted’s Second Dilemma

THE ONLOOKERS

The Scene: The Education GymThe Time: Final Exams in December

Ted sees this girl consulting a book she pulled out of her bag.

Ted sees this guy looking at his neighbour’s paper.

Neither student is writing the exam Ted is proctoring.

What should Ted do?

A. Stare the students down.B. Find another proctor to assist. C. Take the students’ exams and send them out. D. Announce that two people have been caught

cheating. E. Take the book from the girl and move the guy. F. Write down the students’ names and numbers.G. Nothing. They’re not Ted’s students.

The option B is correct:If you see someone cheating find another

proctor/or the professor to be a witness The option E is correct:If you see someone with unauthorized devices or

materials, you should confiscate themThe option F is correct:Facing the above situations, you should take the

student’s ID card, and record the name and student ID number and the nature of the activity

What to do if you’re uncertain

Consult the appropriate policy. Speak to the professor for whom you are

working.Contact the Dept. Head or Associate Dean. Seek advice from the AIO.

BEST PRACTICE: Know in advance what to do.

Emergency Procedures*

Medical issues Emergencies Requiring Evacuation

Inform candidates Collect valuables (if safe to do so) Inform students: EXAM CONDITIONS REMAIN IN

FORCE Make notes of any problematic behaviour

Outcome Report to Dean Professor determines whether exam results acceptable Dean determines whether exam to be rescheduled*See Senate Policy on Conduct of Exams and Tests (Appendix B)

Ending the exam*

15 minute / 5 minute announcementsAll writing ends when end of exam called.In seats until all exams collected.All answer books must be numbered.Sign out, if required. After students leave, check the room.

* See Senate Policy Conduct of Exams and Tests

Technological Challenges

ExamsYouTube videos about how to cheatPen Scanner (IRIS Pen)Wireless ear implantsTexting, cell phone use, internet access, etc.AssignmentsCorrupted-Files.com“Beating” Turnitin.comUploading the “wrong” document / hard drive crashIn ClassInappropriate use of “Clickers”

Ted’s Third Dilemma

THE MULTIPLE-CHOICE MISFIT

The Scene: Outside Dillon HallThe Time: April after an exam

Ted!! Over here!! It’s Maria!

Do you have a second? I’ve got a favour to ask

you.

Hi Maria!

It’s just a few answers on the multiple choice final. It’s the only way I can keep my scholarship. If I lose it, my parents will kill me and I’ll have to drop out of school!

C’mon. No one will know. . . . I’ll even pay you if you

want.

Okay, okay.

But just this once.

What could happen to Ted?

A. Nothing. No one will ever know.B. Maria might go out with him.C. Ted could be suspended.D. Ted could be expelled.E. Ted could lose his G.A. job.F. Ted could spend the rest of his life in a

cell.

Options C and E are possible outcomes.

STUDENT

EMPLOYEE

GA, TA, or

Proctor

Your Dual Role

Your Obligation as a Student Under Bylaw 31

To refrain from engaging in “actions that demonstrate a lack of integrity defined as any action that gives a student an unearned advantage in matters of his/her academic standing . . .”

Your Obligations Under the Student Code of Conduct

“Practise personal and academic integrity.”

“Take responsibility for personal and academic commitments.”

“Contribute to the University community to gain fair, cooperative, and honest inquiry and learning.”

Gee, this stuff is hard.

Where’s our GA when you need

him?

Hi Janie!Hey, Ted.

I could really use some help on this paper.

What is with that guy? He’s always hanging out with Janie, helping her with her papers,

and having coffee with her. Geez, I wish he’d help the rest of us!!

There he goes again!!!

I bet he’s gonna end up writing that paper for her. That is SOOO

unfair!

I’m stuck here having to figure this stuff out all by

myself because he’s always with Janie during

office hours!I wonder if the prof knows.

What should Ted be doing?

A. Realizing that this is another dilemma!

B. Helping Janie.C. Treating all students equally. D. Avoiding the perception of giving an

unfair advantage to anyone.E. Having coffee with all three girls.

The option C is correct.

Ted’s Fifth Dilemma

Exam Securityor “Where are the exams?”

The Scene: Everywhere (unfortunately)The Time: Day of the exam in April

1. Picks up exams

8. …who delivers themto the head G.A. ...

7. Gives exams to Joe to finish marking …

2. Stops for lunch. 3. Writes his own exam.

6. Has to leave for work. 5. Falls asleep. 4. Goes home to markfor awhile.

9. ...who delivers them to the professor.

Don’t be like Ted. Do the right thing!

After the exam

Preserve the integrity of the exam. NEVER leave exams unattended.Remain on campus in a secure place.Maintain continuity of possession. Do not provide exam access to anyone.Report any requests for unauthorized

assistance.

Grading quizzes/tests/exams

Put yourself in the students’ shoes.Set aside adequate time.Do not delegate the task without the

professor’s permission.Speak to the professor if you encounter

problems or have questions.Do not share the papers with anyone.

When an offence has occurred

4.After further investigation, the Associate Dean will either (1) dismiss the complaint, or (2) Impose the sanction.

3. The Head will meet with the student and either dismiss the complaint or send it to the Associate Dean for further investigation,

with the assistance of the AIO, as needed.

2. The professor may file a complaint, which will be sent to the Head of the Department.

1. You must report the misconduct to the professor who may meet with the student.

What may be required of you

Write a detailed statement of everything you know/witnessed.

Meet with the Associate Dean and AIO upon request.

This is all part of your job.

Why is all of this important?

maintains academic integrity on campussends a strong message:

“We care about academic integrity.”

builds trust and confidencestrengthens the value of all UW degreeslends credibility to your role in the teaching

and learning process

How to Reach the AIO

Office: 220/222 Essex Hall Univ. Bldg.Phone: 253-3000 ext. 5005Email: arbexd@uwindsor.caWeb: www.uwindsor.ca/aio

You don’t have to be a superhero to do a good job!

You just have to believe in yourself.

(A red cape might help!)

GOOD LUCK!HAVE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR!