Forum Discussion
Catching cheating
Mike_705 I have 2 separate answers for you.
1st - for tracking what and when a student enters you can use the track changes features in excel. you will need to also turn on the legacy menu items for the track changes. Then you unlock only the cells they should be allowed to type in and then lock the sheet.
2nd for preventing them from saving it locally you can use VBA to do that. Basically you can force the sheet to open "blank" or with instructions that they must enable macros to continue. The VBA can then unhide the content and when the user tries to save the sheet re-hide any and all content before saving.
That said, they can easily work around that by taking a picture of the screen so this approach isn't fool proof. Maybe add variability that each sheet will randomize the questions and answer order or something like that.
Matt:
Thanks! The test solution is awesome. Yes, they can take pictures, but at least in a classroom we can prevent it. We force them to leave their phones face down on the table. So far it's not been a problem. Given the presently on-line style, it's definitely a concern. But hopefully by September it won't be?
The homework idea is good. I'll have to look at the track changes in excel (only have used it in word).
Much obliged.
Mike
Mike_705 you're welcome and good luck. that track changes feature is hard to find and tricky to use. I learned about it from a course on how to make part 11 compliant excel worksheets but I'm sure now that you know what to look for you can find other help or webinars about how to find it and use it.