Recently, there has been a surge in the availability of innovative, easy-to-use online academic tools.
For the most part, this is a good thing. It increases the accessibility of aid available to students who need support with their homework.
Unfortunately, these applications can also make it simpler for students to cheat on their assignments. One such application — Photomath — has made it even easier to access answers than ever before.
With Photomath, students need only take a picture of a fiendish math problem and submit it to the app. Then, the app will use AI tech to recognize the formulas and patterns present in the math problem. After a moment, the app will present the student with step-by-step solutions to the problem, as well as any reference diagrams or graphs to flesh out the student's submission.
When students use Photomath to learn how to solve math problems, this isn't an issue. When students use Photomath to essentially take tests or complete assignments for them, it can be a very large issue indeed.
How Do Students Cheat with Photomath?
Determining what constitutes cheating with Photomath and what is licit use depends on several factors.
An excellent place to start is your school's code of conduct — or, failing that, the relevant class curriculum. Given the recent popularity of AI homework aids, your school may have released updated guidance regarding the use of these tools. If your school has guidance, whether for online or tech-based aids or Photomath specifically, it would be best to proceed with that guidance top of mind.
If your school does not have any guidance, keep in mind that, for most schools, using these aids on graded exams is across the line. For example, using Photomath as a study aid during non-graded or open-book homework assignments may be fair. Use of the app during a test or on a closed-book homework assignment could net you punitive measures.
You might be wondering something, though. As Photomath provides the different steps required to solve a problem correctly and even generates reference formulas and graphs, a student will be able to show all of the work leading up to the correct answer. Usually, that's how math teachers can determine who cheated and who knows the subject matter.
If that's no longer a good way of determining misconduct, how can educators check for illicit Photomath use?
How Will Your School Find Out You Used Photomath?
First things first: In order to use Photomath successfully, a student does need to have access to a phone or smart device. If a teacher catches a student using a phone during an in-person exam, that means the student has the basic equipment necessary for Photomath use. (Photomath is not available as an Apple Watch app, as the camera is necessary for getting the full benefit of the service.)
That may rule out many forms of in-person cheating, but what about homework assignments or remote exams?
When teachers suspect that a student is cheating on their math homework using any Internet aid, they check for the following red flags:
- Identical answers — and identical routes to those answers. While many types of math problems do have one intended answer, in some math disciplines, it's easy to take different routes to get there. If teachers notice that several students are turning in identical problem-solving steps, down to the placement of commas and inclusion of reference formulas, they may become suspicious.
- An inability to explain their work. If a teacher is already suspicious, they might ask a student to explain how they arrived at a specific answer without directly accusing a student of cheating. If that student cannot sufficiently explain their reasoning, the teacher might use that as evidence of misconduct.
- Anti-cheating software. There are some types of online proctoring software, primarily intended for use during remote exams, that can alert the teacher if it seems like a student is referencing an AI aid.
Unfortunately, as well-intended as each of these checks are, they're far from foolproof. Online proctoring software glitches, and students who are asked to explain their work on the spot could be nervous about being questioned by their teacher. Students who turn in by-the-book answers could simply have learned their math by the book — and students who have their phones with them during exams could have forgotten to turn them in.
However, your school's disciplinary system will not require proof that you are responsible for the incident. If you don't take quick action, you might get slapped with a sanction before you know what's happening!
Has Your School Accused You of Cheating with Photomath? What to Do
After an accusation of academic misconduct, particularly a nefarious, reputation-ruining form of misconduct such as cheating, it can be difficult to know what to do.
We'll break your strategic course of action down into three steps:
- Stay quiet. Do not discuss your allegations online or give in to the urge to explain yourself to your teacher. Even if you feel like you can clear things up adequately with a frank conversation, don't. You can't be sure you won't accidentally say the wrong thing.
- Gather all available evidence. Download copies of your homework, take screenshots of your Photomath activity and save any emails or messages your teacher sent you regarding the alleged incident.
- Retain the services of the education defense attorneys of the Lento Law Firm Team.
Academic misconduct allegations can wreak havoc on your chances of success in school faster than you may think. Working with Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team can set you up well to achieve a better outcome. The Lento Law Firm Team can help you gather evidence, defend your reputation, negotiate with your school for lesser sanctions, or file an appeal if necessary.
Contact Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team today to schedule a consultation by calling 888.535.3686.
