Plagiarism is an aspect of education that has always been a variable to be accounted for and, depending on what the future brings, it may always be. As a classroom teacher, I am all too familiar with plagiarism and the role that it plays in the academic journey of many students. As an inspiring instructional designer and college instructor, it is even more important that I learn the most effective ways of combatting plagiarism, while also helping student’s that choose to do so, understand the damage that they are actually doing to themselves.

In post -secondary educational settings, you have the advantage of the majority, if not all, work being submitted in a digital format of some kind; this allows for the use of highly efficient plagiarism detection software suites. Two of the more reliable programs available are:

*EVE (Essay Verification Engine)- Located at http://www.canexus.com/, EVE is touted as a faster and more efficient program for identifying plagiarism within digital documents; it requires a one-time fee of $29.99 for an unlimited use license

*Turnitin.com- This site not only offers best in class functionality, but it also provides feedback on submitted work and the opportunity for peer review; it published works database covers millions of documents and sources

Plagiarism detection software assists in catching plagiarism after it has taken place, but a more effective method, some would argue, is to take preventative measures. When designing both formative and summative assessments, instructors should make sure to create a tool that challenges the student in a way that they not only demonstrate their subject matter knowledge, but demonstrate it in a way that is individualized and personal. Instructors should also take care not to constantly recycle the same exact assessments over and over again, which may lead to “hand-me-down” assignments. Taking the time to thoughtfully plan out and create assessments using tactics such as these can go a long way to discourage plagiarism.

If I should ever find myself in the role of an online instructor I would have to create and refine a strategic plan to discourage, detect and deal with plagiarism amongst my student’s. I believe that being a “visible” and accessible instructor will help curb the incidences of plagiarism that I will encounter. As an instructor I would make sure to monitor and interact with students in discussion boards and forums in order to build a rapport with my students. People are less likely to betray someone that they trust and respect. I will also make sure to be very accessible; people may cheat when they do not fully understand the material that they are covering and being available to assist with comprehension prior to assessment may help to curb plagiarism. Additionally, online professors should make sure to properly review expectations regarding original work, plagiarism and cheating; make sure to provide educational resources to assist students with work and to make sure that every student is aware of the consequences of plagiarizing the work of others.

Impact of Technology & Multimedia

What impact does technology and multimedia have on online learning environments?

Technology and multimedia enhance the educational experience by creating interactive learning environments and providing experiences that increase learner engagement. With Web 2.0 tools such as Skype or ooVoo allows for learners to build an online learning community and communicate remotely as effectively as if they were in the same location. With the advent of Course Management Systems, instructors can create virtual classrooms that rival and in some circumstances, surpass the efficiency of face-to-face environments.

What are the most important considerations an online instructor should make before implementing technology?

When planning and/or implementing a plan for an online course instructors must consider any factors prior to implementing/incorporating technological aids. I feel that first and foremost learner access must be considered. High-speed internet access is often taken for granted and presumed by most to be widely available everywhere, but that is definitely not the case. There are thousands of rural areas that do not have broadband options, which leaves dial-up internet access as the sole means of accessing online content. Anyone in this situation would be hindered in an online environment, particularly when it comes to data heavy activities such as VOD, video chats and file downloads/upload. Instructors must also be cognizant of the age and technological experience level of each individual learner. While not always true, a lot of older learners tend to be less technologically savvy and may not be comfortable with an abundance of tech tools thrown at them at once. Even a young learner that may not have a lot of exposure to technology can quickly become lost in a high tech online environment. Instructors must also take care to ensure that technology is being used as an enhancement and a catalyst for learning and not just being mandated because it is available an d accessible.

What implications do usability and accessibility of technology tools have for online teaching?

Mobile technology has changed and improved the landscape of online learning tremendously. In 2006 I was enrolled in an M.S. program and I took a few of my courses online. While I was able to look at the course outline and weekly objectives on my smart phone, I could not interact with the site, interact with anyone or anything on it and I definitely could not download or stream multimedia files. Today online learners can download and stream multimedia content, submit documents, chat, video conference and collaborate on assignments using a tablet or a smart phone; learners can go anywhere in the world at the drop of a dime without the worry of being home in front of a PC or tethered to a bulky laptop. I can foresee an online learning future where portable devices are curriculum requirements for most online courses.

What technology tools are most appealing to you for online teaching as you move forward in your career in instructional design?

There are three technology tools that I find interesting and would like to utilize in the future:

·         Aggregators- Prior to the week 6 course resources I had never heard of an aggregator; I am a fan of any tool that makes collecting/monitoring student related information easier and more efficient

·         ooVoo- This (free) video communication application has become a great tool for group collaboration, allowing up to ten people to conference via video; although not as popular as Skype, I believe it is a more intuitive and feature-rich alternative that can have a great impact on online class communication

Wikis- A wiki provides a virtual space for online classmates to not only collaborate, but analyze and critique each other’s’ work; these wiki’s can also be used subsequently by student’s that enroll in a given course at a later date