For all of the benefits and pitfalls of living in the information age, the temptation and accessibility to plagiarize reigns at the top. While we’ve discussed tips for tech savvy students and how to use social media, using technology wisely includes academic honesty that doesn’t partake in cheating, plagiarism, or stealing ideas. Mull over these thoughts on technology and academic honesty.
As students grow and build upon their habits, now is the most important time to address integrity. With a world of knowledge at their fingertips, they can research topics like past generations couldn’t. Watch experts on videos. Listen to interviews on podcasts. Read article upon article.
They can also claim ideas as their own, copy and paste words, and even find websites based on specific curriculum that post answers to entire assignments and tests.
Beyond monitoring your students’ computer time and class assignments, look out for these indicators that technology and academic honesty might be a real struggle:
Procrastination.
Students who regularly put off work find themselves in a bind. With incomplete assignments or failure to study for a test, it’s tempting to find a quick solution just a click away.
Perfection.
On that note, students who want to perform may decide that their best effort would go a lot further if they stole someone else’s words. (Many times they don’t realize that plagiarism is stealing when they’re solely focused on performing well in class.) When the drive to succeed supersedes everything else, cheating is tempting.
People pleasing.
It is still academic dishonesty if your student is the one supplying the answers. When students want so badly to be accepted or make friends, providing other students with answers or completed assignments can seem like a helpful solution. Of course, it’s not helpful in the long run, and it’s cheating.
If you find yourself in a great learning opportunity with your student – to focus on technology and academic honesty – take these steps to hone in:
Help plan.
Buy a student planner. Set alarms for study time and play time. Review homework. The only cure for procrastination is action, but that needs to ultimately fall on your student’s shoulders. Investigate what internal motivations will not only help your student to complete assignments, but to also learn the material and take ownership over the process.
Allow natural consequences.
If your child doesn’t complete an assignment or study for a test, a poor grade is the appropriate consequence. Let her know you would prefer that over a dishonest A. If perfection and performance drive her, remind her that she won’t master every skill, enjoy every class, or impress every teacher. Working hard and making herself proud matters most.
Prize character.
It can be easy for students and parents to get wrapped up in GPA numbers. But a grade your student earned on a test won’t matter in 20 years; the habits he formed in the process will. Doing the right thing – whether that’s avoiding the temptation to quickly copy and paste a few paragraphs from the internet or not e-mailing homework answers to a friend – will pay off more than the quick fix of cheating.
If you’re looking for a school that understands the challenges students face – like technology and academic honesty – check us out. Self Development Academy is recognized as one of the best K-8 charter schools nationwide. We have campuses in Phoenix and Mesa. Find email and phone numbers here. We can’t wait to hear from you!
