Google Forms is widely used for creating quizzes and assessments, but when it comes to detecting cheating, it has several limitations. While it offers some features to enhance test security, such as the Locked Quiz Mode, it doesn’t have built-in capabilities to monitor student behavior beyond the form itself. However, there are several strategies and tools educators can use to reduce the likelihood of cheating and improve the integrity of online assessments with Google Forms.
Limitations of Google Forms in Cheating Detection
Google Forms by default cannot detect when students switch tabs, use other devices, or look up answers online. Unlike more advanced assessment platforms, it doesn’t track user activity outside the form itself. This means that students can open new browser tabs, use their phones, or collaborate with others during the quiz without being detected.
Google Forms relies heavily on the honor system unless additional tools are implemented. Without external monitoring, it’s difficult to ensure that students are following the rules of the test.
Locked Quiz Mode on Chromebooks
One of the few anti-cheating features available in Google Forms is the Locked Quiz Mode, but this is limited to managed Chromebooks. When activated, this mode prevents students from opening new browser tabs or accessing other applications during the quiz. It also disables certain functions like taking screenshots, which helps restrict access to external resources while taking the test.
However, this feature only works on Chromebooks managed by schools, meaning students using personal devices or other types of computers are not subject to these restrictions. Teachers should be aware that Locked Quiz Mode will not prevent cheating if the test is taken on devices outside of this managed environment. Furthermore, students can still use other methods, such as consulting someone else in the room or using another device, which makes the Locked Quiz Mode a partial solution at best.
Using Third-Party Tools for Cheating Prevention
To strengthen the security of Google Forms, schools and educators can use third-party proctoring tools like MonitorExam or AutoProctor. These tools integrate with Google Forms to provide additional monitoring features that Google Forms lacks. They can:
- Monitor student activity during the test.
- Use webcams to track the test environment and alert the teacher if suspicious behavior is detected.
- Track tab switching or attempts to access external websites during the quiz.
For example, MonitorExam can notify the teacher if a student is looking away from the screen too frequently, if there are unauthorized people nearby, or if the student attempts to open another tab. These tools can also record the test session, giving the teacher the ability to review any questionable behavior after the fact.
Shuffling Questions and Answers
A simple but effective way to minimize cheating in Google Forms is to enable the shuffle function for questions and answer options. This randomizes the order in which questions and answers appear, making it difficult for students to copy from each other. By ensuring that no two students have the same test layout, the effectiveness of sharing answers during the quiz is significantly reduced.
Additionally, teachers can diversify the question types to include more open-ended questions, short answers, and case studies, which are harder to cheat on than multiple-choice questions.
Plagiarism Detection for Written Responses
For quizzes or assignments that require written responses, educators can employ plagiarism detection tools like Turnitin or Grammarly. While Google Forms itself doesn’t detect plagiarism, these third-party tools can help identify if a student has copied text from an online source. After the test, the teacher can run the students’ submissions through these tools to ensure the originality of the responses.
Ways Students Try to Cheat on Google Forms
Despite efforts to improve test security, students still find ways to cheat on Google Forms. Here are some common methods they use:
- Switching Tabs: Students can open new tabs or browsers to search for answers during the quiz. Without proper monitoring tools, this activity goes undetected.
- Using a Second Device: Many students use their phones or another device to look up answers while keeping the quiz open on their primary device.
- Collaborating with Others: Students can work together by sharing their quiz in real time with friends or classmates, answering questions collectively.
- Inspecting Page Source: In some cases, students can inspect the page source of the Google Form to find the correct answers, especially if the form wasn’t set up securely.
- Using External Help: Some students may have someone else in the room giving them answers or helping them through the quiz.
These methods highlight the importance of combining Google Forms with additional tools or monitoring to ensure a fair testing environment.
Enhancing Test Security in Google Forms
To further reduce cheating, there are several best practices educators can implement:
- Require Students to Use Cameras: Teachers can ask students to keep their webcams on during the test, allowing them to observe the student’s environment and detect any unauthorized behavior.
- Broaden the Question Format: Relying on multiple-choice questions makes it easier for students to guess or copy answers. Including more short-answer, essay, or case-study questions forces students to rely on their own knowledge.
- Use Proctoring Software: Tools like MonitorExam not only monitor students during the test but also create a record of their behavior, which can be reviewed later for signs of cheating.
Conclusion
Google Forms, while a convenient and accessible tool for creating quizzes, has limited functionality when it comes to preventing and detecting cheating. Educators can improve the security of their assessments by using Locked Quiz Mode on Chromebooks, integrating third-party proctoring tools, and shuffling questions and answers. However, these measures are not foolproof. Combining these features with external monitoring tools and best practices is essential to maintaining the integrity of online assessments.
