Plagiarism isn’t new
Plagiarism in higher education is a current concern, but it isn’t a new one. Today, we are working to understand how to manage the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI). At the same time, we struggle with teaching students about citation and crediting prior scholars. So, how do we limit plagiarism in higher education?
This is not simply my concern, but has popped up in academic circles for awhile now. For example, Kara Kennedy discusses it in her article, “A New Perspective on Plagiarism.” Similarly, Dr. Carol Swain emphasizes that plagiarism in higher education is a serious disease. It threatens and undermines academic integrity. She discusses this in her new book, The Gay Affair: Harvard, Plagiarism, and the Death of Academic Integrity.
Even decades ago, plagiarism in higher education was a concern among faculty and administrators. In 1988, Morris Freedman published a discussion about plagiarism in the Chronicle of Higher Education. He wrote that plagiarism among professors or students should not be excused. It should also not be treated gingerly. He addressed the increase in plagiarism cases at the time. Recently, I, too, discussed AI in the classroom and how we can adapt as educators. In this post, I dive deeper into ways to limit plagiarism, beyond the current focus solely on Generative AI.
The AI Dilemma
The rise of AI writing tools has presented a significant challenge to educators. These tools can be valuable learning aids. Nonetheless, they also open the door to academic dishonesty. Plagiarism, particularly in higher education, is a major concern. This issue requires critical re-evaluation. It combines with the long-standing concern of plagiarism in writing-intensive fields. We must reconsider our teaching and assessment practices.
The Limits of Detection Software
Traditional plagiarism detection software offers limited solutions. These tools often flag legitimate student work, while failing to identify sophisticated AI-generated text. This unreliability undermines their effectiveness and can create unnecessary anxiety for students. Avoiding plagiarism in higher education requires some new approaches to teaching and assessment.
Shifting the Focus: Learning is the End Goal
Trying to limit plagiarism in higher education requires that we encourage a genuine love of learning within our students. We should not solely focus on detecting plagiarism. Instead, we need a fundamental shift in perspective. This shift emphasizes the intrinsic value of knowledge and intellectual growth. It should be valued over the mere acquisition of credentials and degrees.
Strategies for Promoting Original Work
Several strategies can be implemented to discourage plagiarism and encourage original student work:
- Scaffolding Assignments: Breaking down large assignments into smaller, more manageable components reduces student anxiety and provides opportunities for feedback and improvement.
- Collaborative Learning: Group work fosters critical thinking, peer review, and a deeper understanding of course material.
- Project-Based Learning: Engaging students in creative projects allows them to demonstrate their knowledge in diverse ways that align with their individual learning styles.
- Assign Drafts: Giving students an opportunity to gain valuable feedback from instructors prior to the submission of a final assignment can encourage them to submit their own work, knowing that it won’t lower their course grade.
- Provide Citation Assistance: Providing students with specific guidelines about citation expectations and, then, offering to assist them as they start this process can help grow their confidence in citing sources, rather than relying on copy/paste.
- Shift Assessments: Offer students a choice in topics, use assignments that require synthesis and higher-level thinking. Traditional exams too often make cheating and plagiarism easy. Shifting the way we assess student learning can discourage plagiarism, cheating, and AI-generated submissions.
Moving Forward
The future of higher education requires a proactive approach to the challenges posed by AI and plagiarism. By embracing innovative teaching methods, we can prepare our students effectively. Emphasizing the value of learning helps students appreciate knowledge. Providing a supportive learning environment is crucial. These steps will equip our students with the critical thinking and research skills necessary to thrive in an complex world.
