His motivation? Teach them the merit of hard work while reducing the inevitable stress of exams. “I aim to show them that learning can be enjoyable,” the educator told Bored Panda about his initiative. “Additionally, I hope they understand that earning points through hard work brings fulfillment and encourages honesty as a sign of respect for those who dedicate time to studying and living honestly.”
Share iconA professor in the Philippines assigned his class the task of creating “anti-cheating” hats to reduce exam stress
Image credits: Angelo Ebora To Angelo’s surprise, his students enthusiastically embraced the challenge, showing up to campus in their unique tributes to Pikachu, Angry Bird, Minecraft, and even a Roman gladiator. “Fortunately, my students and their parents also enjoyed it and were happy with the process and with the results,” he shared. While some designs were made out of paper or thin fabric (like the hat of a bride’s veil adorned with flowers), others were bulkier, incorporating materials like cardboard. “I already took it into consideration, knowing that [some hats were heavy] and the weather during that time was hot. I allowed them to only wear it at certain times so they could focus more on answering the questions.”
Students enthusiastically embraced the challenge, showing up to campus in some really creative designs
Share icon Image credits: Angelo Ebora Angelo added that wearing the anti-cheating devices was “entirely optional” for his students, as they were only “intended for fun and enjoyment” and to “ease the stress caused by exam pressure.” According to the Rochester Institute of Technology, the most frequently stated reasons students choose to plagiarize or cheat include the desire to get a good grade, fear of failing, and procrastination or poor time management. Struck by his students’ creativity, Angelo shared a video of the class taking their exams in their hats. The clip has received 2.7 million views since it was posted on TikTok on March 19. When asked about a social media comment that said they would take advantage of the homemade device to stick the answers inside, Angelo responded, “Since I knew my students, and with the types of exam I made [SAQs, but also multiple-choice and modified true or false], I wasn’t worrying whether someone would write cheat notes.”
“I hope they understand that earning points through hard work brings fulfillment,” Professor Angelo Ebora said
Share icon Image credits: Angelo Ebora This isn’t the first time students have gone viral for an unconventional anti-cheating technique. Angelo was inspired by Mary Joy Mandane-Ortiz, a Materials Science and Engineering professor at Bicol University College of Engineering in the Philippines. After learning about a case in Bangkok, Thailand, when students were pictured wearing “ear flaps” made of paper, Mary Joy wanted to take a similar approach with her class. The educator asked her students to wear designs made of paper, but her engineers-in-training surprised her with something completely different.
Angelo drew inspiration from Professor Mary Joy Mandane-Ortiz and her class of engineers-in-training
Share icon Image credits: Mary Joy Mandane Share icon Image credits: Mary Joy Mandane “Surprisingly, the students decided to take the anti-cheating hats challenge to the next level. They just want the atmosphere to be fun and relaxing while taking their exams,” Mary Joy explained to Bored Panda. She described the idea, which her class still embraces, as “very effective.” “Students got higher scores. No one cheated. They absolutely do their best on our exams.”
Watch the viral video below
Though she found it hard to pick her favorite hat, there were a few that left an impression on her. “I think the most popular ones are those hats made from egg cartons, the ones wearing cosplay costumes, and the ones with telescopes made from tissue holders.”
“Those students are definitely thinking outside the box,” someone joked
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