Can Zybooks Detect Cheating?

Zybooks is dedicated to ensuring the integrity of student work. Here’s a dive into the multi-faceted approach the platform adopts and let us also know how zybooks detect cheating.

Detecting Code Cheating

No, Zybooks itself does not directly detect cheating.

• Zybooks is a learning platform offering interactive textbooks and resources, particularly for subjects like computer science.
• The research describes a tool specifically designed to detect cheating by analyzing drastic changes in code history, which is not a part of Zybooks.
• This dedicated tool uses a “text diff” algorithm to identify potential cheating.
• It spots significant discrepancies in code progression, labeled as “initial leaps” or “solution hopping.”
• While Zybooks offers educational content and tools for learning, it does not include the specialized functionality for cheating detection as described in the research.
• The cheating detection tool is a separate development, aimed at tackling specific challenges in detecting code plagiarism and unauthorized assistance in programming courses.
• The tool is designed to address the unique issues of cheating in programming classes, which is outside the primary scope of Zybooks.

Considering the Why Behind Cheating

Instructors need to understand the root causes of cheating to better address it.

• Reasons: Students may resort to cheating due to overwhelming tasks, lack of resources, or excessive workload.
• Developmental considerations: The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, continues to develop until about age 25. This understanding can shape course design and expectations.
• Collaborative Learning: Techniques like pair programming or peer instruction can enhance learning and decrease cheating tendencies.

Shifting the Focus: Prevention Over Detection

Instead of just detecting cheating, instructors can take measures to prevent it:

Strategy	Description
Utilize Tools	Make use of signatures and similarity checkers to identify struggling areas or to check for similar program submissions.
Small Programs	Assign multiple small tasks rather than one large one in introductory classes for better understanding and lesser reliance on external help.
Flexible Policies	Implement “drop the lowest X labs” or “thresholds” policies to reduce pressure.
Discuss Integrity	Reinforce academic honesty not just on day one, but regularly, especially as assignments intensify.
Encourage Collaboration	Allow students to work together under certain conditions, promoting shared learning.
Provide Ample Support	Offer multiple avenues of help, such as office hours, discussion forums, and mentors.

zyLabs Features

• Similarity checker: This built-in feature detects program submissions that are very similar, offering an intuitive alternative to Stanford’s MOSS.
• Modification of ZMLs: Regular changes to “zyBooks Maintained Labs” cause past-term solutions to fail, ensuring up-to-date student submissions.
• Signatures: A visual representation of programming efforts helps instructors spot unusual submission patterns.
• Analytics: Track the time a student spends programming in the zyLabs’ environment.
• IP logging: This feature logs IP addresses for every student submission, mitigating the risk of third-party submissions.
• Secret Technique: A covert method to detect students sharing problems on solution websites.

Other Methods

• Auto-generated CAs: This ensures every student gets a unique problem, demanding a unique solution.
• Scaffolding: The material allows students to learn step-by-step, from Participation Activities to Lab Activities.
• DMCA takedown notices: Active efforts to remove unauthorized shared solutions from the web.
• Time respect/clarity: Creating clear, appropriately-timed tasks reduces cheating instances driven by confusion or frustration.

Future Steps

Zybooks continues to innovate with enhanced detection techniques. The aim is not just to detect but to prevent cheating, ensuring genuine learning experiences for students. With structured content, clear feedback, and an awareness of instructor tools, the hope is for students to immerse themselves in honest learning.

Drastic Change Detection Tool

The cloud-based environment reveals potential cases of cheating by detecting “drastic changes” in code history. These changes indicate instances where students have possibly sourced code from online platforms or hired contractors. Current studies suggest that a significant number of students have shown patterns of such behavior, necessitating the development of the drastic change detection tool. The tool’s introduction to the broader CS community aims to maintain the integrity of programming assignments on a larger scale.

In the quest to ensure the integrity of student work and minimize cheating, educators and platforms are continuously exploring innovative solutions. One such approach could involve utilizing external resources like OneClickHuman, a tool designed to convert AI-generated content to human-like content. By integrating this resource, educators can further enhance the authenticity of submissions, encouraging students to engage deeply with their learning materials and maintain academic honesty.

Conclusion

Ensuring the integrity of student work is paramount in the academic realm. Zybooks, through its multifaceted approach, is not only equipped to detect cheating but is also keen on creating an environment that minimizes the temptation to do so. By understanding the reasons behind cheating, implementing strategies to prevent it, and using innovative tools, both instructors and platforms like zyLabs can make strides in promoting honest, meaningful learning experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How accurate is the Similarity Checker in zyLabs?

The similarity checker is built to quickly identify submissions that are very alike, making it an intuitive and efficient tool for instructors. Its design is akin to Stanford’s MOSS, optimized for speed and ease of use.

2. What does the “secret technique” in zyLabs do?

While the specifics of this technique are kept under wraps to ensure its effectiveness, its primary function is to detect when students share problems on external solution websites. This ensures that zyLabs remains a step ahead in preventing unauthorized content sharing.

3. Can instructors track the time a student spends on zyLabs?

Yes, zyLabs provides analytics that allow instructors to monitor the duration a student spends programming in the platform’s development environment. This can be useful in gauging a student’s engagement and effort levels.