Monday, February 18, 2013

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.

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