What is academic integrity?
Academic integrity can be defined as trustworthiness and correct responsibility in scholarship. All students and the faculty alike must conform to the rules and procedures of honest scholarship to enable entire academic work, and results to originate from an individual’s efforts. Academic and scholarly contributions from other sources must acknowledged consistently and responsibly (Slater, 2014). Educational work that is accomplished in other ways other than the one that is stipulated in this definition is fraudulent.
Define the different types of academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the use of other people’s ideas and words without openly acknowledging the source of the information (Slater, 2014). Academic papers can be plagiarized through purchasing or copying documents from an online source deliberately. The students may not realize when they fail to cite and give credit for the author’s ideas that they may have summarized or translated in their words.
Unauthorized collaboration
Occurs when one does an assignment with another person for credit without prior permission from the instructor. Most students tend to assume that they can do an assignment together as long as the instructor has not prohibited collaborative efforts ("Office of the Dean of Students - Unauthorized Collaboration," 2016).
Cheating
Cheating is the use of unauthorized notes, technology, study aids, and other devices during an examination. It also includes looking into another person’s work and trying to communicate with others during an exam.
What are the possible consequences of academic dishonesty at Baker College?
Consequences of academic dishonesty at Baker College are severe. They include; facing potential legal action, a failing grade for the assignment or project that one is found cheating, failing the whole course, and possible expulsion from the college ("Academic Integrity - Research Guides at Baker College," 2016).
How will you avoid plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty?
The best way to avoid plagiarism is incorporating words and ideas of others in your work by quoting directly. Excerpt marks must be used, and the source acknowledged. Secondly, paraphrase through putting the information in your words and cite the source appropriately. Lastly, summarize the whole idea by writing down the key ideas. Make use of the available writing styles to cite your work. These styles include APA, MLA, Harvard and much more ("Incorporating the Words and Ideas of Others | Academic Integrity at MIT", n.d.).
Other forms of dishonesty can be avoided by studying hard prior to exams and introducing harsh penalties for students involved in irregularities.
Negative impacts of internet on education
Work ethic
Many scholars have grown and developed in the internet age where they easily get online and research on anything they want. Internet use means, minimal waiting and immediate results with less effort. Such traits have not translated to classrooms whereby tutors require students to work hard for their grades. Therefore, students are vulnerable and find problems when studying ("Negative Effects of Internet in Education," 2016).
Cheating
The internet has promoted cheating in exams especially research papers. Students may go to the extent of using social media in their phones to share some vital classroom information, which is not intended for others.
The credibility of academic sources can be assessed by understanding the academic standards, considering the scholarly reputation of the author’s work you want to use, focusing entirely on peer-reviewed and scholarly sources and using discretion with all websites.
Positive impact of the internet on a student
The Internet has enabled the students to acquire skills needed to progress in society. Students can interact with computers at a young age motivating them to have better thinking skills and remain focused to grow as responsible citizens. Additionally, the internet makes learning easier because a great research is done in a short period as opposed to using traditional books. Tutors are also able to monitor the progress of students’ assignments online.
Avoiding the pitfalls of using the Internet in education is essential. It is important to use the internet for the positive academic purpose by avoiding practices which may lead malpractices.
References
Slater, R. (2014). Academic Integrity and Plagiarism. Library.illinois.edu. Retrieved 15 May 2016, from http://www.library.illinois.edu/learn/research/academicintegrity.html
Office of the Dean of Students - Student Judicial Services - Academic Dishonesty - Unauthorized Collaboration. (2016). Deanofstudents.utexas.edu. Retrieved 15 May 2016, from http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acadint_collaboration.php
Incorporating the Words and Ideas of Others | Academic Integrity at MIT. Integrity.mit.edu. Retrieved 15 May 2016, from https://integrity.mit.edu/handbook/academic- writing/incorporating-words-and-ideas-others
Academic Integrity - Research Guides at Baker College. (2016). Guides.baker.edu. Retrieved 15 May 2016, from http://guides.baker.edu/academicintegrity
Negative Effects of Internet in Education. (2016). Science.opposingviews.com. Retrieved 15 May 2016, from http://science.opposingviews.com/negative-effects-internet-education- 2002.html
