Thursday, June 9, 2011







Plagiarism Detection and Prevention

What plagiarism detection software is available to online instructors?

There are various plagiarism detection software now available. The first software that comes to mind is Turnitin as it is now used by Walden University. This software checks for originality by checking submitted papers against various web pages, and student papers  and leading library databases and publications. It Checks for grademark which provides feedback through online grading where standard and customized marks appear directly on the student’s paper. Turnitin also provides a peermark which engages students in the writing process by providing structured, anonymous feedback of other student’s written work. To find out more about Turnitin click the following link:   http://turnitin.com/static/products/index.php

You do not have to pay for plagiarism detection simply by going through Duplichecker. This online detection tool claims to check a student’s paper again the same databases as Turnitin. Through this tool, the paper can be checked against yahoo, google, and msn with or without quotes. Duplichecker is a product of Content Arcade, an internet marketing company. For more information on Duplichecker click the following link: http://www.duplichecker.com/Services.asp

Another professional plagiarism prevention tool is the iThenticate which allows publishers and researchers to easily upload and scan documents, manuscripts, research and other professional works into iThenticate which campares the work against several web pages and content items from leading academic publications. For more information click the following link: http://www.ithenticate.com/products/

How can the design of assessments help prevent academic dishonesty?

In our course resources there were great examples provided on ways to avoid academic dishonesty. What really resonated with me were the examples provided by Dr. Palloff, to make tests collaborative efforts enabling students the opportunity to work together and ask questions during testing. This method makes it very difficult for students to cheat due to the format of the test. I really appreciated the suggestion that assessments should be similar to real-world work situations which embraces the fact that sometimes the answers must be researched or discussed with peers prior to submitting a response/answer. This YouTube entry offers a great description of plagiarism and how it works. Click the following link to view:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Fw6NxvwP41U

What facilitation strategies do you propose to use as a current or future online instructor?

Dr. Pratt indicated that she does not believe that students set out to conduct academic dishonesty, however it sometimes happens. This is not something that could be completely avoided, but things can be done to lessen the chances. The Richland College website offers great suggestions on their site titled, “Ways to Prevent Online Cheating”, and here are a few: (1) Set a time limit to your exam, (2) Avoid straight objective tests, (3) Put on a print screen blocker, (4) Use a password to protect your exams, and (5) Display one question at a time instead of displaying the entire test.

What additional considerations for online teaching should be made to help detect or prevent cheating and plagiarism?

In my research on plagiarism tools, I came across the quickonlinetips.com site which offers 13 suggestions to prevent plagiarism. Here are a few: (1) Copyright Banners, (2) License your content, (3) protect your RSS feed, (4) Provide Partial Feeds, (5) Watermark your content, (6) Prevent Image Hotlinking (view the following link to see how to prevent Hotlinking: http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/smarter-way-to-prevent-image-hotlinking-with-htaccess/

In conclusion, I’m convinced by Dr. Palloff’s suggestion to make assessments as real-world as possible, enabling collaboration and research during tests. This can only prepare students for real work situations, which is the purpose of education after all.

References:

http://www.richlandcollege.edu/dl/cheating.php

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/smarter-way-to-prevent-image-hotlinking-with-htaccess/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Fw6NxvwP41U

http://www.duplichecker.com/Services.asp

http://www.ithenticate.com/products/

http://turnitin.com/static/products/index.php

Video: “Plagiarism and Cheating”. Dr. Palloff and Pratt


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4 comments:

  1. David LloydJune 10, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Nice job. I especially liked your use of external references. I loved the YouTube video.

    ReplyDelete
  2. DanielleJune 12, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Tonya,

    Love the youtube video. I found it very simple yet full of great information. Making a video like that and putting it into an online course introduction would be a great resource for the learners!!

    I also have bookmarked the hotlinking site. Again very helpful.

    Nice job and thank you.
    Danielle

    ReplyDelete
  3. yolandaJune 12, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    Hi Tonya,

    I very much enjoyed reading your blog. I especially like your ideas about the additional considerations for preventing and detecting plagiarism. Thanks for finding the website quickonlinetips.com. I feel that these tips will come in handy for me in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJune 12, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    I also enjoyed the video! Thank you for sharing that link. You also brought up a great point, "You don't have to pay for plagiarism detection...". There is not excuse for not checking papers and writings for plagiarism with the availability of software. I am definitely going to check out your additional websites!

    ReplyDelete

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