Heather Riddell – In Motion Special
Innovative technology has made numerous aspects of life easier, including unethical applications of the internet used in academic fraud, also known as cheating.
Although cases of plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty have been around for centuries, it seems that with the invention of technology and interactive media it has become easier than ever to cheat. On the DaytonaState.edu website online academic integrity is listed, along with other forms of cheating such as plagiarism and fabrication.
Andrew Kandefer, a Learning Specialist who works at the DSC Academic Support Center, said, “There’s a real disconnect between the material a student is learning in the classroom and how that information will be applied in the real world.”
There are several reasons a person may feel compelled to cheat, whether it be on a quiz, exam or an essay. Cheating comes in many different forms and today there are more options and accessible means of cheating than ever. We live in a “have it your way” and “the customer is always right” world where information and questions are within fingertips reach and a click away.
“Bad grades and not understanding the material in an English class caused me to be tempted to cheat but I knew that wasn’t the best idea,” admitted DSC student Jake Chiason, who instead of cheating utilized the DSC Writing Center, where he received invaluable help.
Margaret Overbey, a Mathematics Professor at DSC, recalls instances where a student has been caught cheating in her class. When asked why, they usually said they weren’t prepared. Overbey said not only is time management part of the issue, but some students also may not know how to prepare.
Overbey also said, “Instructors have to be much more vigilant when it comes to technology. That means watching what the students are doing during a test and if there’s something suspicious investigating it.”
Artina Coma, who works at the DSC Academic Support Center as a Learning Specialist, said she believes students are tempted to cheat because they think it’s easy. Coma herself fell victim to this logic, making what she said was “a stupid mistake and having to face the consequences.”
“Don’t take that risk. I hate to say it but I was one of those students. I plagiarized a paper from Wikipedia and turned it in for my first draft. I didn’t think the professor was going to read it and that it was for a participation grade. I wasn’t going to plagiarize the final paper, I just needed something to hand in that day. It was so scary and I thought I was going to be kicked out.”
Coma was fortunate enough to be given the benefit of the doubt, but that isn’t always the case. The DSC Student Handbook outlines the resolution process for academic dishonesty, but each professor has the ability to decide the appropriate consequence. Depending on circumstances and whether or not it was a single incident, the ramifications can range from a zero on the material to having your transcript flagged to expulsion.
A counselor at DSC Counseling and Accessibility Services, Christina de la Osa said, “Cheating and the reasons behind it can be complex. Some people don’t know how to fail. Failing for people is the worst thing in the world. When actually, sometimes failing is not so bad. If you learn something from the failure you come out on top and then you’re better for it.”
Hybrid courses where quizzes are given online may seem easier than ever to cheat in but both Overbey and de la Osa disagree. Some professors will allow students a few attempts at an online quiz, which can help them learn the material.
“Students are not being realistic if they think having the notes accessible while taking a quiz will help to prepare for a test and for classes that meet on campus that have a final exam, the exam is given in person,” said Overbey.