Plagiarism Detection and Prevention

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Plagiarism Detection and Prevention

Webster online dictionary defines “plagiarize” as the use of words or ideas of another person as if they were your own words. Plagiarism is not new to the world of education. It can take place in a traditional setting as well as an online setting. Combating plagiarism in the online community has lead to many plagiarism detection softwares appearing in the software market. Educators have always been concerned with upholding standards of academic integrity among individuals engaged in scholarly pursuit ( DiBiase & Jocoy p. 1).

What tools are currently available for online instructors to detect plagiarism? There are several tools on the market including Turnitin, biometrics, video cameras, retina scans, thumbprints and remote proctoring with cameras. For this blog, I will focus in on three types of tools.

Turnitin scans and indexes content from the from the web into the Turnitin database. When students upload their papers, it is compared to millions of book/publications. Results show how much of the student’s paper matches the Turnitin database.

Biometrics is automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. This is considered high security identification and is being used to ensure that the assigned person is actually completing the assessment.

Remote proctoring with cameras allows for a 360-degree webcam and a microphone setup that ensures students are not receiving help from others during the exam. It also locks the computer down, restricting internet and file access for the length of the exam so that students cannot get information from the web or his hard drive.

One way to discourage dishonesty in assessments is to design assessments that mirror real like expectations. When assessments are authentic, students will not feel the need to cheat. Projects can be designed so that the student will have to do research and collaboration should always be encouraged.

As a future online instructor it will be important for me to use facilitation strategies that I know will not promote plagiarism. Designing activities that promote creativity is a strategy that can be used in a k-12 environment. After reading a story students could rewrite the story changing various elements of the story. After studying a certain time period in history, students could construct questions for an interview with a person from the 19th century.

Additional considerations that could be put in place to prevent cheating and plagiarism include assisting both students and parents by giving them a clearer understanding of what plagiarism means and how it affects the students work and grades. Also, I can equip students with the resources such as NoodleTools that can assist them with citations.



References:

Dillow, C. ( 2010, June 8) . New Remote Proctoring System Lets Students Take Exams at Home ( without cheating). Retrieved from : http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-06/anti-cheating-system-lets-students-take-exams-home

Jocoy, C., & DiBiase, D. (2006). Plagiarism by adult learners online: A case study in detection and remediation. International Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning, 7(1), 1–15.

Laureate Education, Inc. ( 2011) “Plagiarism and Cheating”

Moulton, J. (2007, August 21). Cite It Right: Online Citation Tools and Formal Citations. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/cite-it-right-online-citation-tools-and-formal-citations

Retrieved (April 6, 2011) fromhttp://www.biometrics.gov/

Retrieved (April 6, 2011) fromhttp://www.Turnitin.com/

Impact of Technology and Multimedia

Impact of Technology and Multimedia
The impact of technology in the field of education has forever changed how as people we receive our education. Whether it occurs through face-to-face interaction or online technology, the impact of technology and multimedia has been felt throughout the field of learning. Technology and multimedia provide a wonderful opportunity for collaboration to take place between learners across the country and the world. Multimedia brings to the table opportunities that some would never experience if it were not for the technology we have today.
Before an online instructor implements technology, an online instructor needs to know what tools the learners are familiar with as well as what tools he feels comfortable using. There is no need to rush using tools that may not be comfortable with; however, it is important to encourage students to use graphics and audio and video media in their work as they are so inclined and as it fits the content and their own comfort and skill level. In fact, it is a good way for the instructor to learn the tools as well ( Boettcher & Conrad p. 106)
Accessibility of technology tools allows for collaboration, communication, synchronous learning, asynchronous learning, social networking, scoring tools, and assistive technology for assisting those with special needs.
As I work towards my degree in instructional design, I have discovered many tools that will assist me in my journey to becoming an online instructor. The following table contains a few which will ensure that my instruction will reach all types of learners.









TECHNOLOGY TOOL
USE

Skype
Will give me the ability to hold meetings with students and parents face to face

Wikis
Allow for collaborative projects between peers

Blogs
Allow learners to leave comments about given topics

Video streaming
Supplement lectures and reading resources

Podcasting
Supplement instruction for my auditory learners


References:
Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.


Portland Community College. Tools/Theory/Pedagogy Matrix. Retrived April 3, 2011 from http://www.distance.pcc.edu/distancehq/infopages/index.cfm?kbid=4635&return=lrc&MENU=Audio_Conference