Encouraging
Academic Integrity
...in online learning.
`

With Thanks...
Alec Couros; Michael Wesch; Lawrence Lessig;
John Krutsch; Suzanne Riverin; and Empowering
Online Learning’ by Curtis Bonk and Ke Zhang, 2008

Do Kids Cheat?

“Academic Integrity is much more than a
battle against plagiarism.”
Rodd Lucier

Photo Credit: Mr. Stein

Photo Credit: Kelly Chan
Photo Credit: Robert France

Game Cheats
Screen Capture by
Dave Child

Facebook at Ryerson

Remix Generation

What is Cheating?

Why do Students Cheat?

How do Students Cheat?

Common Excuses
“the dog ate my homework... then he died”
model organization for your students
be skeptical, but try not to be cynical...

Blame the Technology
“I sent it...”
“The file is corrupt”
“I have a virus... on my computer”
“I pressed submit...?!”

Dishonest Collaboration
share/recycle/distribute work
re-use past assignments
use ideas without crediting sources

Extreme Cheating
text messaging...
iPod content upload...
hacking into networks/systems

Creative Commons
Educators can model appropriate use of content
We can teach learners to license their work

How do
Students Cheat?

“Academic integrity is all about... ATTRIBUTION.”
Alec Couros

See the Work Being Done
How do online learners
“do the work in class”?
Proctored exams
Performance Assessment

Let
Them
Show
What
They
Know
photo credit:
ccarlstead

Alternative Assessment
More than written tests! (oral exams?!)
Break up assignments over time.
(e.g., Google Docs, Wikis...)
Ensure tasks are relevant for your students.
(youth culture; urban/rural; unique family experiences...)
Teach students to create electronic portfolios.
Provide opportunities for CHOICE.
Differentiate by use of keywords; initials; experiences.

Un-Cheatable Tasks
Design tasks that provide differentiated
opportunities for students to
“show what they know”.
Rodd Lucier

Auditory
Learners
Photo Credit: Rob

Verbal / Auditory Learners

Verbal / Auditory Learners
FAQs, Announcements,
‘Scenario-driven activities’
WebQuests and Rich Performance Tasks
Podcasts
Synchronous ‘live’ discussions / presentations
Guest experts
Use of chats for online quiz to demo understanding
(a more dynamic assessment)

Visual Learners
Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk

Visual Learners

Visual Learners
students form their own visual depictions and representations of
the content;
concept maps to summarize key points and learnings;
comparison and contrast matrix; Venn diagram; flowchart;
virtual tours; graphical elements enhance navigation;
students explore video clips (concepts, procedures, and skills);
adventure blogs and animations provide current and interactive
news stories;

Observational / Reflective Learners
Photo Credit: Children at Risk Foundation

Observational / Reflective Learners

Observational / Reflective Learners
Opportunities unique to online learning... time to reflect
Asynchronous forums
In depth discussions for critical thinking and synthesis
Students create online resource libraries (Delicious)
Blogs... with key friends?
Mock trials; Debates; Role Play discussions
POV reflection papers
Comments and annotations from peers, team-mates, experts
Interviews, consultation with mentors/experts

Kinesthetic Learners
Photo Credit: Jolantis

Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic Learners
The creation of multi-media products;
Mock trials;
Debates;
Role Play discussions;
Treasure Hunts;
Collecting and analyzing real world data;

“If your students can cheat on you,
then you deserve it!”
David Wiley, Ph.D.
Utah State University