Plagiarism
The issue of plagiarism comes up more often in my classes than I would like, and it can have a huge impact on student retention. I set forth my policies very clearly, verbally and in writing, from day one. I know my students have also been drilled in this in other classes, in most cases. But unfortunately, my students are often overworked and some (either intentionally or otherwise) copy information from the internet and use it as their own without proper citation.
It's clearly plagiarism, and my policy is that the minimum penalty is a failing grade on the assignment. Some students take this as well as could be expected, but some become angry and speak of leaving the college because of the "unfair" penalty for what may be an honest mistake.
First, what strategies would you suggest for speaking to a student who copies large sections of text from the web but does not cite it? And second, would you suggest a college-wide policy on plagiarism, or should the penalty be up to the individual instructor, as it is now?
Finally, what differences in attitudes do older versus younger students harbor in regards to plagiarism? I would assume that younger students tend to be more a part of the share-everything world of the internet, which might make plagiarism more difficult for them to understand, while older students are more accustomed to notions of intellectual property. Is that the case?
Bryan, plagarism is a universal issue. The point is driven home when someone "borrows" a students ideas. We do occasionally take on projects for local businesses or non profits. Some of these businesses don't see anything wrong with stealing the student work for commercial gain without providing the student with credit. It's a rude awakening for the student but it drives the point home that credit should be given where credit is due.
Hi Harmony,
You make a good point about plagiarism. In every case I have been involved the claim was made that "I didn't know it was plagiarism or the rules about plagiarism." Didn't really matter the consequences were still the same. They had been informed and warned so they had to content with the results.
Gary
I have just dealt with this in my classroom. We do a history of math paper that takes place all quarter long. I had 2 students copy and paste their entire paper from wikipedia, then claimed they didn't know that that was considered plagarisim...I explained that not knowing is not an excuse. Presenting the paper at the beginning of the quarter they know they have a variety of resouces available to them regarding cheating. Students also have a campus wide policy regarding cheating which is helpful so they know the consequences, but still claim they did not know...
Hi Jeff,
You are right about placing the responsibility for their work on them. They have to understand it is they who are students and as a result they need to develop the skills needed to produce their own work.
Gary
It also places more of the responsibility for their work where it belongs and might help the student be more aware from the start on the next project.
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for sharing this site with us. This is an ongoing problem in all sectors of higher education. By checking their own work the students can reduce their stress level if they think they are using "too" much of another persons work even if they don't plan to.
Gary
There is a great tool online called TurnItIn (URL below). It enables the instructor to establish quickly and easily how much of the students work is actually original and how much is copied. You may be familiar with it? A good approach is to allow the students to be part of the TurnItIn process. Allow them to check their own work and clearly see how much is actually their original work. It would help to minimize the "honest mistake" feeling. They would know before submitting the document that "X" percent is directly copied and hopefully make adjustments accordingly.
Jeff
http://turnitin.com/static/index.html
Hi Brook,
As you say this is a common problem with younger students. Colleges throughout the country are dealing with issue as it is growing in size.
Gary
I find that plagiarism is very widespread among my younger students with regard to the Internet. Many of them seem to never have learned in school that copy and paste is indeed stealing. This has been a major issue and I have had to go over the definition of plagiarism at the beginning of every new class.
Hi Bryan,
First the policy on plagiarism should be set forth by the college. I believe it is unfair for each instructor to set a policy because there may not be consistency between them and then the students can play one instructor's policy off against another instructor's. This can cause all kinds of problems.
You use a key word when it comes to plagiarism, "honest" mistake. I ask my students to be sure of their sources and their original work because the "honest" mistake is at their expense. Our policy at our college is caught plagiarizing and you are through, period. Not for just the course but college as well. This sends a clear message and we don't have a big problem with plagiarism as a result. Or at least we don't catch them much at it.
Your assumptions about about older verses younger students is correct based upon my experience. The older students are much more respectful of intellectual property and work hard to make sure the work they turn in is their own or is referenced.
Gary
