The Populi Test module currently allows students "Cut and Paste" data into the test answer area for short answer and essay type questions. Can you please implement the capability to restrict student access to the test answer area such that they are required to type in their answers.
Thanks,
Kerry
Hi Kerry,
I understand your concern, but one problem with disabling cut and paste is that we have many classes that require that ability - one professor of Biblical Greek, for example, has students type their answers (in Greek) into a word document using a special keyboard layout and then cut and paste into Populi. Chemistry and math teachers do something similar, as well...
And while I understand that disabling cut and paste might be a mild deterrent to cheating, it seems like it would only slow down a student who's busy cheating by a few seconds - he or she could look up the the answer and type it anyway. I'm not sure what's appropriate to your needs, but some of our schools require students to proctor each other - and then the first question on the test is worth 0 points and is something like "Please enter the name of your proctor."
Thanks!
James
James,
We want this capability. I will not be able to use your test capability at this school without having the option to block cut and pasting. If some schools want the capability to cut and paste, leave it as an option but this capability is REQUIRED here. The time allotment for the test is how we control the cheating so that students don't finish if they are looking for the answers elsewhere. They should not be able to scan the internet for answers and type in the answer in the allotted time. Admittedly, it is only another control mechanism but if it eliminates cutting and pasting, it is a good control to have.
My understanding is that this is not a trivial function to implement but it is needed!
Thanks,
Kerry
James,
Instead of blocking cut and pasting, could Populi monitor the number of cut and pastes that a student performed on an exam question. Then the teacher could just assign a zero if they did not allow cutting and pasting for that exam question.
Thanks,
Kerry