Plagiarism Detection and Prevention

Turntin, Playscan, Checkforplagiarism.net, iThenticate are just a few software resources available to online instructors or any instructor for that matter.  But even with all of these resources there are still gaps in the system.  I remember when paying to have a company write a paper was the “in” thing to do.  I don’t know how even with all the check systems we have plagiarism is still such a big issue.  I think one thing that does make jobs easier for professors is the ability to check things quickly with the online resource.  I think that by giving students choice you allow them the ability to express themselves and not feel pressured with something that you as an instructor are familiar and comfortable with.  Of course as with anything you have to ensure that all students are aware that plagiarism is not tolerated under any circumstances and that there will be consequences for violators.  One helpful tool would be for instructors to allow for checkpoints in assignments that require heavy references.  I know when I was getting my Master’s Degree one portion of our capstone was just the references, I think this kept everyone focused and made us really do our research and the flag of awareness was up that plagiarism would not be tolerated.  I personally think that models of good student work and poor student work can help reduce plagiarism.  A lot of what students go into college knowing about research and plagiarism is little to none.  And that maybe something education has to start looking at and that is incorporating more well developed research resources for students in high school, so that when they get to college it becomes somewhat second nature because research is a big part of college education.

Impact of Technology on Adult Learning

Technology has a great impact on adult learning it allows us to collaborate and stay in instant contact with each other at all times.  Before incorporating technology into any online learning environment instructors should ensure that they have provided students with the opportunity to become knowledgeable with navigating online systems if they’ve never done so and make a checks and balance sheet for what students do and don’t know.  By knowing what students already know, faculty can design experiences to ensure an accurate knowledge structure and growth of that structure (Boettcher and Conrad, 2010, p. 24).  It is very important for adult learners in online courses to have full usability and accessibility to online access.  A number of online adult learners are already in demanding careers and have families, so the flexibility of being able to log-in and talk to classmates, the professor or a help desk from anywhere and at any time is very important.  Nurturing a learning community as part of an online course is almost as important as being a significant presence.  A learning community in a face-to-face environment often develops spontaneously as students generally have more opportunities to get to know one another and develop friendships outside a particular course.  More explicit nurturing and planning is required in the online environment for a learning community to develop (Boettcher and Conrad, 2010, p. 38-39).  Ipads are very appealing for teaching online classes the technology allows a student to do everything from research to connecting for collaboration and even sharing information in real time.  The assistance that this technology brings to students is unbelievable being that we are all spread out all of the country.

 

Boettcher, Judith, V. and Conrad, Rita-Maria (2010). The Online Teaching Survival Guide: Simple and Practical Pedagogical Tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Internet-Based Multimedia Resources for Online Learning

For this assignment I chose the following two sites.  There is a wealth of information on the internet and educators have to make sure that it aligns with their instructional goals.  In addition to what a learner has to master with the Universities online site educators also have outside expectations of their students and must keep in mind that exploring a school’s site can be the first time that an online student has engaged in an online program therefore lots of direction and student monitoring could possibly be needed. By involving cyberstudents in activities that utilize games and simulations, real-life skills can be enhanced and learning can be made fun (Conrad and Donaldson, 2011, p. 101).

Google Docs http://docs.google.com

Google Docs is a Web-based word processing, presentation and spreadsheet program offered by Google.  This software is similar to the Walden online website and most online educational websites in that students can connect from any device that is internet accessible.  With this technology adult learners are able to collaborate on group projects at the same time by tracking and updating data, take quizzes, check grades and form discussions all on line.  I selected this technology because it’s free it does not require the need to sign up for any license.  I would use this technology to specifically allow multiple students to work outside of the classroom in groups several would be able to collaborate on one document as a group assignment then present as a group in addition I would build on conversations via discussion board and/or blog. 

 

Reading Companion http://www.readingcompanion.org/ReadingCompanion/testimonials.jsp

This speech recognition technology assists with teaching students to read.  A reading monitor reads information to the student and then the student is afforded the opportunity to read the information back.  If the student is successful he/she receives positive feedback if not the user is able to try again.  As the students reading skills improve the monitor reads less and the student reads more on their own.  I selected this technology because ELL students need lots of practice hearing accurately spoken words and being given the opportunity to practice for accuracy and understanding on their own.  I would use this program in the classroom during instruction so that the students could revisit the material in class and at home.  I would also set up online tutorials for the student to utilize at home over the weekends and breaks.

 

 

Conrad, R.M. and Donaldson, J.A. (2011). Engaging the Online Learner: Activities and Resources for 

Creative Instruction. San Francisco, CA. Jossey-Bass.