Encouraging Academic Integrity

We recognize the importance of encouraging academic integrity in the classroom, regardless of class format. Though we have no tool or strategy that can control human behavior to prevent acts of cheating or plagiarism, we can offer consultation on preventative approaches to encourage academic integrity among learners.  Here are some related strategies and tools: 

• Share CMU Policies – Perspectives about what constitutes cheating or dishonest behavior vary. It’s important to discuss this early so learners are fully aware of CMU's definitions and policies related to these behaviors. Include  CMU’s Academic Integrity Policy in the syllabus and in assignment or assessment guidelines to reduce uncertainty.  
  
• Consider Your Response – CMU’s Academic Integrity Policy contains specific guidelines for dealing with suspected academic misconduct but also offers educators discretion to address this informally without initiating additional actions (CMU Academic Senate, 2022). For instance, if there seems to be a lack of awareness about what plagiarism is, the learner might have the opportunity to learn about it, perhaps even help educate peers on it, and then revise and resubmit the work. For additional information on plagiarism, visit Plagiarism.org. 
  
• Craft Authentic Assessments – Many of us are familiar with Bloom's taxonomy (Vanderbilt, n.d.), realizing that multiple-choice or true/fast tests often focus on recall. These types of instruments are more susceptible to concerns of academic integrity, while other approaches to assessment like essays, case studies, presentations, and portfolios might encourage deeper application and discourage cheating because "right answers" vary or are not easily accessible, and learners are likely to be more intrinsically motivated by the process and product. 
  
• Promote the Learning Aspect of Assessment – It may be appropriate, particularly with lower-stakes assessment, to adopt "open book" or "open note" approaches, to allow multiple attempts, or to allow peer collaboration. In that way, learners engage in a process of course correction, using related resources for clarification. 
  

• Review SafeAssign Reports – SafeAssign is a Blackboard option you can enable to compare submitted papers to those within an institutional database, as well as various larger repositories, for matching content. Educators must then review the originality report to determine whether the matched content has been properly attributed.  If a learner used several cited quotes, for instance, there may be a high match rate, but it may not be problematic. 
  
• Explore LMS Assessment Security Options – Blackboard also allows options related to pools and tests that encourage academic integrity.  For instance, you can randomly draw questions from pools to make each test unique. We might suggest a 3- or 4-to-1 ratio, meaning you draw from a pool that is three or four times the size of the number of items on the assessment.  You can also shuffle questions/answers, set a timer, require auto-submit, use force completion, and provide limited feedback until everyone has attempted the assessment to discourage "sharing." 
  
• Check Out Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor – Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor can be enabled together or separately on Blackboard. LockDown Browser will lock a learner's Web browser, preventing them from printing, copying/pasting, browsing other sites, or using other applications while in a test. Monitor will record/monitor them through their webcam and microphone while they take a test, using software to flag unusual behavior, like a virtual proctor.  Educators must then review the video/audio footage to determine the fate of the attempt.  
  

• Authentic Assessment Toolbox
  
• How Prevalent are Acts of Academic Dishonesty and Who are the Perpetrators when Cheating is Defined by the Student Body?
  
• Why Students Cheat and 3 Ways to Stop Them
  
• Notes from UC Boulder on one of many social learning networks called Course Hero
• "Did I Plagiarize?" Infographic

CMU Academic Senate. (2022). Academic integrity policy. Central Michigan University. Retrieved from https://centralmichigan.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/AcademicSenate/EgUHBsTYrTRIhqILTHG1f0ABYP0ErkciqWG05vfjOQJX3Q?e=QAWmZ5 

Vanderbilt. (n.d.). Bloom's taxonomy. Retrieved from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub
-pages/blooms-taxonomy/