Citing work
As a medical librarian, I am always super-sensitive about the importance of using proper citations for work. I always emphasize the utmost importance of proper citing of work and the avoidance of plagiarism. Academic integrity in online learning environments, like physical environments, is critical and should be emphasized (Azulay, Chertok, & Barnes, 2013).
Reference
Azulay Chertok IR, Barnes ER, Gilleland D. (2013). Academic integrity in the online learning environment for health sciences
students. Nurse Educ Today. pii: S0260-6917(13)00202-5. doi:
10.1016/j.nedt.2013.06.002. [Epub ahead of print]
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One of the issues I encounter is that students use online sources to develop citations and references, but often those sources are incorrect. The citation generator will create a MOSTLY correct APA reference, for example, but it's not quite right in terms of actual APA standards. I'll make the corrections, and students are confused as to why a generated reference is not acceptable.
How do you handle this? I tell students that the definitive guide is the actual APA manual, but I know that not all students are going to purchase that manual, and frankly, undergraduate students probably don't benefit from it much.
In the on-line forum, I think it is imperative that students be taught that plagiarism is unethical and will not be tolerated. It is too easy to simply "Google" an answer and use it as one's own. I always provide examples and am very proactive in evaluating my student's work in regards to this. It is a key component in my rubrics, but I also teach them the proper citation methods and provide them with tutorials they can utilize.
I truly believe in the importance of citing someone's work. I require my students to do this on all of their assignments and posts. In my experience, it has been easier for students to "borrow" work from the Internet, but I will not allow this. Students need to learn the importance of citations and giving credit when it is due.
Chantee ,
Great point and strategy. When you repeat it and it tends to make it real for students. This is so important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In my introduction to students I always make it mandatory for them to read the campus rules on plagiarism. Each week I follow-up with messages to them about remembering to cite their work. I admire the work that you do.
Joi ,
Here is one they will remember. It is called the CRAP test: http://libraries.mercer.edu/research-tools-help/citation-tools-help/images/PrintableCRAPtest.pdf . I think my students will remember that!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Great strategies! I agree that the student must take the task seriously in regard to citing appropriately. I always try to set the tone for this in the very beginning by providing the school's policy and additional information to assist them on what is expected. I also provide a Research Paper Tips post that thoroughly explains do's and dont's to writing a paper that follows APA formatting, especially citing sources without copying the information verbatim. I agree with you Tamara in regard to giving points if they make an attempt and I will also coach them through my feedback. If they do not make an attempt I still coach them but I have to deduct points. If I find a student is really struggling I send them to the librarian in which she provides an APA workshop to assist the student further.
Milka,
I don't really like "calling" them out during the discussion if it isn't done intentionally. I will chat with them about it then together we post with the corrected information. That is my first step. It has to be done immediately as misinformation can be suc a problem.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
How do you handle when students incorrectly utilize information from a source? Or when they have interpreted the information incorrectly?
Tamara ,
LOVE your strategies. You must consistently hold students accountable for citation. Have you looked at an open source product called Zotero? It helps students organize their references and has a plug in to help students cite their work. http://www.zotero.org. Check it out.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Applause to every instructor who expects proper citation. I tell my students that my classroom is a "safe space" to practice proper citing but the rest of the academic and professional world is not always so forgiving--so they definitely need to take the task seriously!
A couple things that I do to help support students with proper citation include:
1. Using PowerPoint to provide reference formulas and examples for each type of source that they might use in the course. This takes the guesswork out of choosing what formula to use and also allows them to align their finished product with one of my examples. I have received thank you emails from students months after my course ended saying "I am still using your resource!"
2. In the first round of assignments, I essentially award "full points" if they make a solid attempt to cite. Some students are so paralyzed by the prospect of submitting an incorrect citation that they'd just rather not do it at all. When they receive their first assignment back they can see my corrections and I tell them exactly what I want them to work on/attempt for the next week. As long as they follow their individualized plan--their APA points will stay consistent/improve. Those who choose not to improve will see points continually decrease. This strategy (although a little more time consuming) allows me to equitably grade my experienced and inexperienced APA users.
If anyone else has any great strategies--please share--I'd love to hear what you do!
Cynthia,
I agree with you, Purdue OWL is a great resource and I will check the Walden Ed myself. It sounds like you have a solid plan. Thank you for sharing it helps us all!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Heidi,
My course has an APA Guide linked in the classroom, but I also provide links to APA Style on Purdue OWL and Walden Ed. These are excellent resources. I also cover APA and using sources in my live chat sessions, discussions, and through extensive feedback on students' papers. In our discussion forums, students get a lot of practice writing annotated bibliographies, outlines with possible sources for each main point, writing a body paragraph with sources, etc.
Best of all, students work through two weeks of adaptive learning modules cover research, using sources, and APA style. I love this because I am able to view their progress and analyze those questions which they answer incorrectly the most. Then, I make sure to review the more difficult material in my live chats with students.
Overall, I am pleased that most of my students do know how to avoid plagiarism and use sources ethically.
Cynthia
Emily ,
Writing guidelines are so trying. I have used videos to help explain APA or MLA
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In my classes I make sure to go over APA guidelines BEFORE our first written assignment is due. Many students are coming from different levels so I want to make sure that we are all on the same page in the beginning of the course.
Guerda,
I think that is a great idea. You may want to look at Youtube for example videos for both. I use that now so students can watch them repeatedly if needed.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Within the Plagiarism Policy I provide the students with examples of APA and MLA formats. This way they have both examples at hand. I also encourage then to use Microsoft WORD. Which allows them to enter the basic information and the citation is created for them. This simplifies everything for them.
Dale,
I agree, it is also establishing your expectations! Nice post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Heidi,
I think it is great that you do this. It requires extra effort on the part of the writer, but it really adds to the credibility of the writer, and helps prevent any possible issues of academic honesty.
