What plagiarism detection software is available to online instructors?
Due to the easy accessibility of information on the internet, schools have to be extra vigilant in order to prevent plagiarism in courses. There is a wealth of plagiarism detection software for online instructors to use so that students do not plagiarize information.
Turnitin.com- Turnitin is a plagiarism check that compares papers against one another by using a large data base of work from students, newspapers and magazines. Most universities use this program in conjunction with other plagiarism detection sites.
Ithenticate- This site compares documents to documents to determine if plagiarism has occurred. It has an extensive library to check documents against, as well as the ability to use IP numbers in order to avoid plagiarism. Their library includes media, publishers, and researchers.
Safeassignment.com- Safeassignment.com is used with the Blackboard program. This program can be used by instructors and students. Safeassignment also detects and teachs about plagiarism.is a plagiarism checker service that integrates with BlackBoard. It has an extensive library that dates back to the 1990’s. The program is unique because it can find plagiarism and complete reports in different languages.
What facilitation strategies do you propose to use as a current or future online instructor?
Some students do not know what plagiarism is. As an instructor, we can facilitate a discussion about the issue with plagiarism. Instructors can also talk about the consequences of choosing to plagiarize at a university or college.
Other meaningful ways of stopping plagiarism is to be extremely specific with required assignments. For example, require that students insert the article or annotate bibliographies. Students should be able to work on more application type projects so that students are unable to cheat. According to Palloff and Platt (2011) It is a lot harder to cheat when the assignments are designed for students to apply their information. Palloff and Platt (2011) further recommend that if students apply and draw upon reference materials, they will not be able to cheat as easily. It is also suggested that instructors make assessments as authentic as possible so students won’t feel the need to cheat.
What additional considerations for online teaching should be made to help detect or prevent cheating and plagiarism?
Invite students to do a search with a well- known phrase and see how quickly one of the sites is able to identify plagiarism. Instructors should also have students do an internet search for some of the paper mill sites that are readily available on the internet. Have students do several activities with the plagiarized papers. If students are able to recognize and see that papers can be identified for plagiarism, then students will be less likely to cheat. Often, students do not know that they can be caught.
Finally, students can be required to take a tutorial on how to correctly cite works so that they do not engage in plagiarism.
Personal Reflection on Plagiarism
Education is the key! Students need to be educated on the signs of plagiarism. Recent case study research provides support for the effectiveness of incorporating plagiarism instruction into individual courses. (Dibiase & Jocoy, 2006)
Due to the huge amount of resources available online, students are able to access information instantly. Instructors must take special care to make sure that programs are in place to prevent plagiarism. It is important that students understand university policies, academic integrity/dishonesty, as well as the many types of programs that are available to detect plagiarism.
Instructors need to create assignments that challenge students to apply their knowledge to specific problems, or create different checkpoints along the way to ensure that students cannot plagiarize. As a teacher, I am aware that plagiarism begins early. Students should be educated early about plagiarism as well as learn essential skills such as summarizing, paraphrasing, and writing. Students that have these skills will be less likely to plagiarize in the future.
Jocoy, C., & DiBase, D. (2006). Plagiarism by adult learners online: A case study in detection and
remediation. International Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning.
Palloff, R. & Pratt, K. (2011). Enhancing the online experience. (Video).
remediation. International Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning.
Palloff, R. & Pratt, K. (2011). Enhancing the online experience. (Video).
So far all of the blogs I have read agree that instructors’ need to teach students about plagiarism and how to avoid it. Another idea to help combat plagiarism is to alter assignments from term to term. If instructors stay with the exact same assignments, then the chances of plagiarism and copying could increase.
ReplyDeleteAnnie Swihart