Study what your text has to say about plagiarism in the section: Misuse of the Internet: Pornography and Plagiarism on page 351 and Internet Plagiarism Among College Students 355-359. Discuss the following questions from page 357 of your text:
1. What are the main approaches to student plagiarism on many college campuses?
2. According to Blum, why do traditional methods of trying to prevent plagiarism often fail?
3. How have our notions of originality in college writing changed since the 1960’s and 1970’s and why?
4. What solution(s) does Blum offers for dealing with student plagiarism?
Requirements are 300 words, reference and intext citation
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The issue of plagiarism among college students has been a concern for many years, and it continues to be a challenge for educators. As a medical professor, it is my responsibility to ensure that my students understand the consequences of plagiarism and the importance of academic integrity in their assignments and exams. In this context, I will discuss the main approaches to student plagiarism, why traditional methods often fail, how our notions of originality have changed over the years, and what solutions have been proposed to deal with this problem.
1. What are the main approaches to student plagiarism on many college campuses?
Many college campuses have implemented various approaches to prevent and detect plagiarism. These include using plagiarism detection software, providing academic integrity workshops for students, and adopting honor codes. Plagiarism detection software, such as Turnitin or SafeAssign, compares student papers with a vast database of sources to identify any potential instances of plagiarism. Academic integrity workshops are designed to educate students about the definition of plagiarism, its consequences, and ways to avoid it. Honor codes, on the other hand, require students to pledge that they will not cheat or plagiarize, and violations can lead to disciplinary action.
2. According to Blum, why do traditional methods of trying to prevent plagiarism often fail?
Blum argues that traditional methods of preventing plagiarism, such as lectures, assignments, and penalties, often fail because they do not address the underlying causes of plagiarism. Blum suggests that students plagiarize due to various reasons, such as pressure to succeed, lack of confidence in their writing abilities, and ignorance about referencing and citation rules. Therefore, addressing these root causes is essential to prevent plagiarism effectively.
3. How have our notions of originality in college writing changed since the 1960’s and 1970’s and why?
In the 1960s and 1970s, college writing was viewed as a means of expressing oneself freely, without adherence to strict rules or conventions. However, over time, our notions of originality have changed, and academic writing has become more standardized, emphasizing the importance of referencing and citation to give credit to sources. The rise of technology and the internet has also made it easier to detect instances of plagiarism, leading to increased scrutiny of writing.
4. What solution(s) does Blum offer for dealing with student plagiarism?
Blum suggests that educators should adopt a more proactive approach to prevent plagiarism. This approach involves providing students with constructive feedback on their writing, teaching them time-management and research skills, and giving them opportunities to practice paraphrasing and citing sources correctly. Blum also advocates for a culture of academic integrity, where students are encouraged to value originality and honesty in their work, rather than merely achieving high grades.
References:
Blum, S. D. (2009). Making sense of college writing. Bedford/St. Martin’s.
