Disagree.
 A student writing in academic arenas should never assume anything written has never been written before. For example, sites like Wikipedia do not have verification processes to ensure the content posted is accurate and original. The college library is connected to the world’s body of knowledge with a peer review process. From a different view, the work found in databases sourced through the college library and other sanctioned libraries have been verified. The verification process is either a peer review or a publisher's scrutiny. The content posted on sites such as Wikipedia is filled with inaccuracies, as these sites do not have an academic verification process and is content that is often copied from other web sites and is therefore plagiarized. The content stored in college online libraries and web based dictionaries such as Webster’s or encyclopedia sites have been verified. This verification process is essential for academic writing. The ease of assuming what is found on Google and other web sites without verification processes is available for academic responses is an easy trap leading to plagiarism charges. Learning how to discern what information found on the web is accurate is part of IT fluent information literacy skills. Learning how to verify information that may be plagiarized on the internet is one of the benefits of using the plagiarism checker for all work posted in the online learning environment. Failure to check work because the student believes that the work was not copied does not remove the possibility that similar writing has not been posted on the Internet. All work submitted should be checked through the plagiarism check for verification. Learning to check all work ensures the work submitted is original and removes the opportunity of both unintentional and intentional plagiarism charges in any online distance learning.
Cheating in an online environment or a traditional environment has become easier due to technology. Yet, the basis to prevent cheating in an online environment is to structure the on-line deliverables in a way that promotes the use of resources, but requires original thought.
Lynette,
Yes, there are times when students simply do not know they have cheated.
Shelly Crider
Cheating should be handled in the same fashion as it would be in a face-to-face classroom. It may be harder to define, but there are certain cues to look for. For example, I have 2 students that I teach at another university online, and they share the same last name. Week ones assignments for both of them looked a little similar, and I just dropped a note that I noticed that they shared a similar answer and that I would be marking down if they were going to simply copy each others work. I have at times made it a little tougher to "cheat" by setting the system to randomize the questions and timing the examination.
I would also like to state how wonderful turnitin.com is within an online environment as well.
Are there other ways to help combat online cheating that I may be missing?
I've found that the great majority of my students who have plagiarized need additional instruction in how to correctly cite. They may be used to sharing information online without any thought to giving credit to the author.
Another point -While these plagiarism checking software programs can be very beneficial,they are by no means perfect. One of my students used one of these programs and found that as he resubmitted his corrected research paper,it showed that he "plagiarized" his previous drafts - very frustrating!
I've also seen some discussion as to whether or not we instructors need to act as cops to stop plagiarism - and what actions do we need to take -everything from redoing the paper to an automatic zero.
Romanda,
What is really ironic, is that students will find terrible sources to cheat from! Sites that are simply not correct at all. This shows in their work. So the cheater is being cheated......
Shelly Crider
Hi Shelly,
I disagree due to the fact that students cheat in online courses as well as campus courses. I actually think that it may be easier for online students to cheat due to the accessibility of online resources and other students in the course by email. In addition, plagiarism is another factor and some students still do not understand this form of academic dishonesty.
Romanda Cooper
Cherise,
Indeed....cheating should be considered in every part of society. We have seen many people fall due to cheating.
Shelly Crider
Cheating is should be considered in both environments. A student misses the benefit of the whole learning experience when they cheat. The bottom line is that cheating should not be permitted in any setting. However, it might be harder to catch in online setting.
Disagree: Whether online or face to face, the learning concept should have the same levels and standards of integrity. When students are in an online environment, it is much easier to cheat than offline. However, when the time comes to utilize what should have been learned, it is evident that the person did not gain or retain the knowledge from the subjects cheated for.
Kathryn,
This makes you wonder what the students really think!! To copy and paste another post is just asking for trouble....that is not even creative cheating!!
Shelly Crider
Cheating is unacceptable in any type of classroom, whether f2f or online. I think any student needs to be aware of academic integrity and be held accountable. While it may be easier to cheat in an online coure, I believe it is also easier to track. I was in an online class onetime where I was stalked. I had to post early in the week and one other person copied my posts almost verbatim for about a month. I reported it to the instructor and I assume it was taken care of.
Philip,
Good point.....all students want the quick A.....but are not working to get it!
Shelly Crider
I disagree with not being concerned about students cheating in any environment. It has been my experience that cheating is more prevalent today. Many students don't even know that it is cheating and don't truly understand the problem with what they are doing. They want the quick and easy A and are focused on their GPA and not learning the material. They think that GPA will get them the job and don't realize that even if that is true, the GPA won't help them keep it. I think this is a big problem with Generation Y who has always received a trophy for participating and not ever had to work for that trophy. Now, it seems educators are having to teach them how to really work and earn that trophy/grade. At least that is my opinion.
Yes. Cheating is the same. Coping information from an online source is the same whether online or in-person. The penalties should be the same.
Jocelyn M. Dervis
David,
Good point...do we want the student to retain the information? Yes we do. So we need to create assessments that will test what is important and what we want students to take with them in the workforce.
Shelly Crider
The traditional definition of cheating is to have access to the answers to an assessment during the assessment. The instructor is in control of the assessment, and if the instructor asks only questions that test fact-based knowledge, then the instructor is setting themselves up into an environment that fosters a "type" of cheating for the on-line learner. If the student knows this is how the test will be adminstered, they can have the textbook open and simply look up each answer. Even this level of "cheating" promotes some engagement with the material, but it does not foster true retention. The instructor needs to develop assessments that address high levels of learning and application of the material on the assessments, thereby having a test that accurately assesses the student's learning. Other types of cheating, such as plaigarism, are monitored and handled in the same way as on-ground courses for such things as out of class papers and assignments.
Richard,
Exactly....what do we learn if we cheat??? Nothing that accounts for anything at all!
Shelly Crider
The purpose of teaching is for the students to learn. Cheating absolutely must be taken in to consideration when teaching in an online enviroment. Cheating can be reduced by asking quesitons that involve a level of higher ordered thinking. Conceptual questions opposed to asking questions that have concise answers. Essays that are graded long hand hinder studnets from cheating.
BRIGITTE ,
To be able to not only change your exams, but make them randomized is a must as well.
Shelly Crider
