One of my colleagues is always complaining that when she gives students projects to do they simply go online,print the entire page and present the information as their own. Of course I ask her if she explains the concept of plagiarism to them. Her response indicates to me that she simply gives a definition of the term without actually demonstrating to the students how to use information effectively.
Her situation brings to mind my own shortcomings in giving instructions to students to go on the internet and do their research. Like my friend, I have thrown them into the research world via the World Wide Web without much instruction or direction. I guess it is assumed, by some teachers(myself included), that since we know how to use the internet appropriately for research our students also have that ability.Added to this oversight is the position that they are always on the computer so using it for assignments should be no problem. We are truly mistaken.
It is clear, from personal experience, that we need to explicitly teach students how to use the internet re research. As I completed the task given to us, in which we had to decide valid sites versus invalid ones, it became clear that when we do not give students guidance in using the internet we are missing an opportunity to develop critical thinkers. It is imperative that we show them that all sites are not equal. When this is explicitly done then we are assisting them in developing a necessary skill which will be vital in this age of media bombardment.
I certainly agree with you Trumanne. I was reading " Brining technology into the classroom' by Brian Gordon and in addition to what you said he offered two useful suggestions. First, we should train them to evaluate the legitamacy of websites such as with a website rubric. Secondly as teachers, we can give them the websites from which they would get the information needed.
ReplyDeleteThey are to be helped to become information literate so as to access information that is true, from a reputable source, updated and understandable. This is a skill that cannot be neglected as they are being prepared to enter a technologically oriented society.
I too agree with Trumanne. As more students use the Internet for research, the temptation to plagiarize has greatly increased among students.
ReplyDeleteInternet plagiarism is becoming an increasing concern for educators and strategies must be developed to prevent this form of academic misconduct among students.
However, I think that before we teach students about plagiarism, it is important for them to clearly understand what constitutes academic misconduct. It might also be wise to form a written policy on academic misconduct and make students aware of this policy as well as the procedures by which plagiarism are handled.
I believe if we take time to instruct our students about the ethics of research, we will have less cases of "accidental" plagiarism