Has technology made it easier for students to cheat? Looks like it!

BY PAUL JUNOR

The extension of online learning/virtual schooling for students across Ontario has forced many students to resort to cheating. CP24 reported on Sunday, December 27^th, 2020 that, “Cheating is a ‘ free-for all’ at virtual high schools.” The report refers to concerns by educators who are alarmed at the level of cheating. Students are now downloading apps that provide them ready-made answers.

The story recounts the experiences of Olivia Metela, who teaches high school in Thronhill.

She recalls the solutions that students provided to a question on her Math test. She states, “it was a very convoluted way of doing things. Their solution was about twenty steps. The process in class would have been around five or six.”

The report mentioned that there is a particular Math app called Photomath, which students are using. The Photomath app describes it as the # 1 app for math learning that can: read and solve problems ranging from arithmetic to calculus instantly by using a camera on your mobile device. In response to the question, “Is Photomath cheating too?” The website states that about 75% of students have used it to verify their solutions.

It states, “students should be encouraged to use Photomath to check their answers to practice problems, compare their solutions, and identify any missteps in their calculations.” It originated in 2014, and there have been about 150 million downloads across the globe, with over a million of them by teachers.

The Photomath app website states: Scan. Solve. Learn. Once s photo is taken of the Math problem the app provides a detailed solution. Jennifer Lui, a spokeswoman for Photomath reported, “the guide focuses on three core principles: reinforcing concepts learned in the classroom, providing a way to check homework assignments and accelerating individual learning,”

There is another math learning tool called Mathway that students frequently use. According to its website: www.mathway.com, it is an ‘Algebra Problem Solver’ that offers, “free math solver that answers your algebra homework questions with step-by-step explanations.” All one has to do is take a picture of a math problem and the app immediately recognizes it and provides instantaneous solutions.

Educationalappstore.com lists the following apps as the best ones that students can use:

Komodo Math
It focuses on students mastering arithmetic and mental math/math for ages 5 – 11

Rocket Math
It helps kids age 6 to 14 learn math facts

DoodleMaths
It is a math program to support kids at home

IXL Math
It is an interactive program for kids age 3 to 18

Photomath
It solves math problems by using a camera

Prodigy
It is good for kids age 6 to 14 to do practice

Splash Math
It adapts to kids level for age 4 to 14

Math Whizz
It is a Math tutor to help 5-13 learn math online

Math Learning Centre
It has free apps for kids from pre-K to Grade 7

Play: Adding
It is a math game for age 5 to 8 to learn math facts

Cheryl Costigan, a high school Math teacher, also reported that she observed that many of her students are, “cheating a lot more than they ever have in the past. It’s just a free-for-all. Everybody’s cheating all the time.” She recalled when students wrote the first test, she heard the camera clicking but afterwards they would turn off the camera sound to prevent her from hearing.

Costigan understands the enormous pressure that students are under especially during the pandemic, and from parental expectations. She observes, “their parents are putting stress that they want them to get into university. So, they kind of feel like they have got to get that mark, and they really don’t care about the cheating anymore. It’s just become second nature.”