Photomath is a very cool app--you hold your phone over a math problem, the app reads the problem, and then it gives you a step-by-step solution as to how to solve the problem. That's great in some contexts, it's absolutely dismal if you're a teacher trying to determine if a student knows how to solve a math problem.
The last test in one of my classes had such obvious rampant cheating that I sent an email to all the parents. Of the half-dozen responses I got, all were supportive of my efforts to keep the testing as clean as possible. I was very pleased to get those responses.
But what about the next test?
I took out the test yesterday and used Photomath on all the applicable problems. Seeing how Photomath solved a problem told me how to alter the problem so that using Photomath was useless. And I did this to all but the word problems.
I learned that sometimes Photomath glitches. It writes some things "goofy", or it makes an outright mistake. I opted not to change those problems--if I see student work that looks "goofy", or makes the same error as Photomath makes, I'll consider that strong evidence of cheating.
For all intents and purposes, I have de-Photomath-ified the test.
I don't believe in trying to trap students in mistakes. Prior to the test I'll notify their parents about what I've done. I'll explain what I did above, letting them know that I'm being vigilant in ensuring as much academic integrity as I can. I'll also ask them to supervise their student's test-taking as much as is practicable.
We'll see how it turns out.
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