Plagiarism is looked at by many English teachers at VU as a terrible crime. Professors have been stressing the use of correct citations this year but it hasn’t been enough to stop students from plagiarizing either accidently or intentionally.
“I put plagiarism into two categories,” English Professor Rebecca Mullen said. “I see a lot of plagiarism many times is out of ignorance. Students just don’t know how to cite, some don’t even know to use quotations. So honestly, I see it every day.”
In the spring of 2006, the University Writing Committee held a writing assessment at VU. The number one concern was the correct use of citations. The summary of the assessment stated “clearly too few students use conventional documentation style or come near to achieving success regarding this writing value.”
Professors say that the problem isn’t intentional cheating, but that students are unaware of their citation mistakes.
“Do I think that students are out to cheat?” Mullen asked. “No, I probably get one a semester that tries. But I’ve been teaching long enough to know when it’s an honest mistake and when someone is trying to deceive me.”
A solution to this problem was discussed at a meeting hosted by Cengage Learning on Jan. 28 that included English Department Chair Michael Gress. VU is planning on adopting the Vincennes University Writers Handbook, which will include the software Turn-it-in.
“Turn-it-in is software that helps students learn where they have plagiarized,” Charles Reinhart, English Department Chair, said. “Students submit their essay. The program takes a look at it and sees if they have misused sources. Many students have a problem understanding what plagiarism is. It’s not just borrowing pages or words, it’s also borrowing ideas.”
Prices on the textbooks have not been determined but Gress explains that since the handbook will be a Vincennes University edition and can be used in multiple classes it will actually save students money.
“It looks to me like the students will have to pay about $30 with a six semester access code,” Gress said. “The access code will give students access to Enhanced Insight which is the web-based material.”
The web-based material is included in a package deal with Cengage. That will give students the access to Turnitin.com. Once the student has the access code they would be able to use Turn-it-in for three years. The writers handbook would be useful in every class including every major on VU's campus.
Apart from being cost efficient, the new handbook will be a Vincennes University edition, meaning that professors at VU are able to give input on what they would like to have included in the textbook. Gress sent out a survey to the english professors and as of Monday he has received results from 24 teachers.
Twenty teachers, out of the 24 that took the survey said they would would like a unit in the handbook that would explain how to identify plagiarism. 18 out of the 24 said they wanted documented research papers covered better in the textbook, as that is where the issue of citation would occur the most.
“I would use it as a way to help students learn how to properly cite information," Mullen said. “I’m sure students will see it as a way to police what they are doing and that’s not a bad thing. Nearly every other college in Indiana uses Turn-it-in, so we aren’t blazing any trails here at VU.”
Gress said the English department is hoping to be using the new textbooks next fall. VU currently has no anti-plagiarism software and the Cengage textbook with the option of Turn-it-in would seem to be a step forward in solving the problem of plagiarism at VU.
“Right now teachers have google,” Reinhart said. “We can type in a page from a student's essay and see if any of it comes up. VU has a real problem with plagiarism as do all colleges. Certainly it'll help."
Turn-It-In software to help students and faculty identify plagiarism." />
Plagiarism, an evil or an accident
Published: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 13:02
Be the first to comment on this article!