Academic Dishonesty: Internet Cheating

Academic Dishonesty: Internet Cheating
AET/510
August 19, 2012
Dr. Gregory W. Dlabach, Ed.D

Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonesty is an “intentional act of fraud” by which a student claims credit for the work of another without authorization (Pincus & Schmelkin, 2003). These intentional acts fall into these classification, plagiarism, cheating, and academic misconduct. Plagiarism is the intentional act of presenting work as though it where their own. Examples of plagiarism include; failing to provide citations as acknowledgement of the source, presenting someone else’s work as his own, and buying or selling any material used fraudulently as part of an assignment. Cheating is the act of giving, receiving any information not endorsed by the instructor. This includes copying from another student, assuming another’s identity, and using any device not authorized by the instructor during an examination to obtain answers. Other forms of academic misconduct include falsifying official records, tampering with school records, fabricating data, and knowingly furnishing false information,
Internet Cheating The Internet has become an important educational tool. Just like any tool, improper use leads to abuse. Many students and universities have made proper use of the Internet for educational purposes and have established proper safe guards against academic dishonesty. According to a 2003 country-wide research study that included 23 private universities and college, Internet dishonesty is on the rise (Jones, 2011). Since 2000 Internet use has increased 152% (Jones, 2011). With this increase in use, more students have Internet access and access to a wider spectrum of information. Many students are of the belief that they do not need to give proper credit when the information if found on the Internet that it is public record. One survey suggests that up to 67% of the students surveyed would plagiarize an assignment (Jones, 2011).
Methods of Internet Academic Dishonesty Student have discovered various methods in accomplishing Internet dishonesty; plagiarism, cheating, and falsification of data. The most common form of Internet dishonesty is plagiarism in the form cutting and pasting. With today’s computer technology, searching a topic online is a simple process yielding several responses. Many students cut information from several web pages and paste and claim it is their work. In a survey of college students, 75% of those who admitted cheating, purchased a paper from a research service or downloaded one from the Internet claiming it was their work (Jones, 2010). Students also have found that often an examination can be found online or the instructor’s online account hacked and a copy of an examination and other tests obtained. Several schools are using online grading books and grade posting programs. These programs allow the instructor to enter a student’s grade into an online database and the student to view hisr grades at any time. Resourceful students hack into their grades and change not on their grade but those of fellow students.
Academic Dishonesty Prevention Strategies The course syllabus includes written integrity policies with reference to the student handbook. Review disciplinary steps the first day of class defining actions taken if a student is found guilty of academic dishonesty. Definitions and examples, of plagiarism, cheating, and academic misconduct discussed the first day of each class. Written assignments presented to the instructor in an electronic format and reviewed with the use of plagiarism checking software. Discrepancies are provided to the student and with the course instructor and department chairperson followed by executing appropriate disciplinary actions. A certificate of authenticity, signed by the student, is attached to each written assignment. The use of any online grade books is reviewed by the information technology department for conformity school and security standards. Guard passwords and other log on information changing spasswords routinely. The key to avoiding academic dishonesty is to eliminate the students not understanding the definition and examples of academic dishonesty and the ramification if they do not abide by the academic integrity policies. Provide students with plagiarism assessment tools and proper citation tool.

References

Guo, J., & Drasgow, F. (2010). Identifying cheating on unproctored internet tests.
International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 18(4), 351-364
(Guo & Drasgow, 2010
Jones, D. (2011). Academic dishonesty: Are more students cheating. Business
Communications Quarterly, 74(2), 141-150.
Pincus, H. S., & Schmelkin, L. P. (2003). Faculty perceptions of academic dishonesty. The Journal of Higher Fducation,, 74(2), Retrieved from http://edweb.sdsu.edu/bober/facultyperceptions.pdf

References: Guo, J., & Drasgow, F. (2010). Identifying cheating on unproctored internet tests. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 18(4), 351-364 (Guo & Drasgow, 2010 Jones, D. (2011). Academic dishonesty: Are more students cheating. Business Communications Quarterly, 74(2), 141-150. Pincus, H. S., & Schmelkin, L. P. (2003). Faculty perceptions of academic dishonesty. The Journal of Higher Fducation,, 74(2), Retrieved from http://edweb.sdsu.edu/bober/facultyperceptions.pdf