One of the muddiest points associated with online learning environments
is plagiarism. There is a common misconception that plagiarism consists of
copying and pasting material information directly and submitting it as one’s
own work. However, it is much more! Referencing ideas or even paraphrasing
previously stated content is considered plagiarism if credit is not given to
the author. As such, plagiarism is often committed unknowingly to the student. Because
of the nearly limitless access to information, the student is able to recycle
information easily. In fact, many times information is shared without proper
crediting and plagiarism is committed unknowingly.
This is of particular concern as resources are offered
openly without charge and as third party companies market pre-written papers
for students to pass off as their own. While products like SafeAssign and Turn
It In help to minimize the instances, the student is still able to manipulate
them and the products do not pick up all instances. For example, older
textbooks are not always in the systems and cannot be detected. Then there are
other ways to detect metadata and keystrokes, but there is the question of
invasion of privacy as content not related to education can be seen as well.
Hey Brittany,
ReplyDeleteCopyright: Actually, EETT federal legislation requires school districts to have a plan for educating students in copyright violation. Sadly, the plan tends to be in the document and not strictly enforced in districts - just too much to do.
I suggest you look at the following resource:
http://www.onguardonline.gov/videos/net-cetera-chatting-with-kids.aspx
Great start for educating students, parents, and teachers!
Thank you for discussing metadata. I work off of several computers (my personal, husbands, work, friends, etc.) all with different Microsoft licenses. This does not mean that I am not typing the information myself. I do find it intriguing the thought of invasion of privacy here. Personally, I try not to worry about these things as I still have to get my work done regardless but this brings up the importance of going to a credible institution with the proper firewalls so that your information remains safe.
ReplyDeleteHey Brittany!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts on plagiarism. My school's LMS comes with a plagiarism tool that can even track other submissions from other students in the course, but you're right - it misses anything that is someone else's idea. I think proper training early in a student's career will help with this. For example, I remember in middle school learning how to cite sources, making it much easier in high school and college to complete assignments without plagiarizing. Thanks for your thoughts!
-Zach
As a history teacher I am teaching students how to properly conduct research and start them on the correct path in avoiding plagiarism. This is a challenge in today’s world as students have the access to so many sources as you speak of. It’s not always a case of student’s accidently committing plagiarism, as many students are simply looking for the easy way of completing assignments, but many are guilty out of simply not understanding. Many though do not understand that when they use their own words but still do not show where their ideas come from that this is still plagiarism. Most all students I have at the middle school level do not realize the proper ways that they should be sighting other work and almost always inadvertently commit plagiarism.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great blog read.