By the time you view this most of our kids have started school year 2010-2011. We’ve been talking about how technology by way of gadgets could and would help schooling so much easier. I know for a fact that back in the day ( circa 70 to 80’s) owning a scientific calculator was already the bomb much less having a Sony Walkman?

But while there’s a huge advantage to new technology being allowed in classroom, I can’t discount the fact that unfortunately, there is also a dark side to the use of all this. As technology in the classrooms evolves, so does the ability for students to cheat.

Gone are the days where students would write notes on their forearms or a leaflet of paper to gain an unfair advantage during tests. These days cheating has become much more sophisticated as students use text messaging devices, camera phones, UMPCs, and even MP3 players to help them pass exams.

Recently more than 20 students in Vietnam paid over $3000 to carry out an elaborate cheating operation. They donned wired wigs and shirts and used mobile devices and ear phones to cheat on college entrance exams. Cheaters have become more creative!

Students also have many options available to them outside the classroom when it comes to cheating, thanks to the internet. Websites such as Masterpapers.com employs teams of educated individuals who will write thesis papers and even doctoral dissertations for the right price.

Additionally, students can access ebook versions of Cliff notes, use the pc to solve mathematical equations, and even commit outright plagiarism from online material (MVP graduation speech ring a bell?)

So, why do students cheat? It’s something that’s quite complicated to answer as most students do so for different reasons; 1. Because they’re lazy 2. The subject matter is hard to grasp 3. Lack of Interest. Or it may be that they’re just plain --- slow. People have different interests and reasons.

Technology keeps advancing at a rapid pace and will enhance the life of any student willing to embrace it. As I always say, it should be used responsibly. If students abuse the privileges given them, in no time those privileges may be taken away.

In the end, the students end up not cheating the school system but themselves. Don’t deny future students the use of advanced technologies in the classrooms.

If misused this may lead to the government going back to basics and disallowing the use of technology and go back to the old “pen and paper only” in classrooms.