Bot or Not?

Rooting for Success

Fraudulent Enrollments

Fraudulent enrollments in SDCCD online courses, often by bots, block real students and pose risks of financial aid fraud. Learn more in this CalMatters article: "Getting significantly worse’: California community colleges are losing millions to financial aid fraud" Links to an external site. So what can you do about it? Here are some strategies from the MOST Coaches on how to detect enrollment fraud in your own course. 

Before the course begins

  • Monitor for sudden enrollment spikes on non-registration-opening days. 
  • Check rosters for sequential ID numbers.
  • Send a welcome letter with Canvas login info and a deadline for completing an introductory task to remain enrolled.

Week 1 Check-ins

  • Assign required tasks like a syllabus quiz, survey, or creative discussion post. 
  • Include a humanized icebreaker to verify authenticity. See how MOST Coach Jason does this in his Humanizing Icebreaker activity Links to an external site..
  • Specify inactivity drop policies in the syllabus.
  • Use tools like Canvas Studio for video introductions or low-stakes “Practice Run” tasks.
  • Assign low-stakes “Practice Run” assignments that can be used for both getting to know our students and for getting them comfortable with communicating using any unfamiliar tools.
  • Request students update their Canvas profile picture.
  • Follow up with inactive students via email or phone (check MyPortal for details).
  • Watch for students claiming vacations during the first two weeks; this is not a valid excuse for missing course activities.

Throughout the Course

  • Regularly review student activity and submissions.
  • Use Notes in Canvas (which is hidden from students) to track potential concerns.
  • Incorporate creative projects, peer feedback, and video reflections.

For more information and additional instructional strategies, please visit the SD Mesa Inactive Enrollments (BOTs) Links to an external site.page.