Critics of distance education argue that students in online classes are more prone to cheating than those in

the traditional • classroom. Since there is no one to watch over them during a test, critics state, students
can search for answers from previous lectures and notes. In addition, they can even communicate with
classmates via e-mail to share answers to test questions. Nevertheless, the possibility of cheating should
not deter schools from offering online classes. According to one recent study, the exchange of ideas that
occurs when students communicate with each other about possible test answers fosters learning
(Jefferson,2004). The study also indicated that the same is true when students scan notes for answers. In
this act of "cheating," students are actually learning something.

Reference
Jefferson, T. (2004). Managing the electronic classroom. The Educator, 23, 62-65.