<p>Today in my lecture my teacher announced that people have been cheating on the past exam (he knows this because he put cameras around the room without our knowledge), and that if you were cheating, you should withdraw from the class. When I was taking the exam, I was sitting behind a girl and her exam was in my direct eye line whenever I had to look up to listen to the professor. I could blatantly see her exam and I looked at it a few times during the exam period while my teacher was playing different music we had to identify. I never actually copied any of her answers, but I could see them and at one point I did compare mine (I didn't change anything because I already knew I had everything correct). I guess I looked at them because I was bored/interested in what she wrote down, but I truly didn't copy any of her answers (I had studied a lot for it so I already knew the answers). I'm not sure if I should go to my teacher and explain, because for all I know he could be talking about different students. I'm not even sure what I did is considered cheating - but it very well could be. What would you suggest I do, and if he does ask me to come and talk to him, what should I say?? PLEASE HELP!</p>
<p>I don’t think it was cheating, especially since you didn’t change your answers. Once he grades the exams he’ll see the difference between you and the other girl’s score which will eliminate any suspicions he has. </p>
<p>Not cheating. Comparing but the answers will be different. Did he really put up cameras? Seems extreme. I think he may just be trying to scare the class into good conduct. Next time, keep your eyes on your paper. Your okay.</p>
<p>I’m just nervous because it was a very simple test (all matching) so if we do have all the same answers…that could be bad right? I just feel like it could easily look like I was cheating because I was looking at her paper. Any suggestions on what to say to my professor if he calls me in and how to make sure he doesn’t fail me for the entire course? I truly do regret it. @Shiloh77 @katastrophic</p>
<p>It sounds like he said he put up cameras just to scare you guys, but that seems like a really childish thing to do. He must have a lot of time on his hands if he is actually going to look back through all of that footage, and if he did put up cameras, then he probably would have already called out the students that he thought were cheating. It sounds like a scare tactic to me, but who knows.</p>
<p>I don’t think it was cheating, but I do think it was wrong to do. Keep your eyes on your own paper, no matter how bored you are. You have control of your own eyes, so just don’t look at it. It doesn’t matter if you’re copying answers or not. It’s not worth the potential accusations. And regardless of whether you think it’s technically cheating or not, it’s things like this that make professors suspicious and say things like they put up cameras (or actually put up cameras, if they are extremely paranoid, but again, I doubt it).</p>
<p>So my advice is don’t confess to anything, and see what happens. I highly doubt the professor will call you in about it, but if he does, then just tell him the truth. Although, I would leave out the part about you comparing answers with the other student. Just say her paper was directly in your line of sight, but you didn’t read any of it and tried to look away as much as you could.</p>
<p>Violet, if he does approach you tel him the truth, you did not copy. I agree with above, the paper was in your line of sight when you were listening. I sincerely doubt he did the cameras. I had a professor who told every class he had 'spy’s in the class who would report cheaters. That worked for about half the semester, but then everyone started to laugh when he mentioned that. I mean, most of us were in study groups together so we knew it was not true. He never admitted he didn’t, but when we nickeled he stopped saying it until the next class in the next semester. Plus, I’m sure there are legal issues with filming students without their permission. </p>