I had students who plagiarized papers (usually 1-2 a semester).  In a few
instances they convincingly argued that they really did not know what they
were doing was wrong -- taking about a single sentence from each paragraph
of a published else's article and stringing together as a paper -- or just
paraphrasing a published article.  In each case I had the student research
and write a paper describing the law and ethics relating to both plagiarism
and copyright protection.  Each student later told me (gratuitously) how
much they had learned from the project and complained that no one had ever
really bothered to explain any of this to them before -- I learned something
too -- I now give an explicit handout and explanation in class about
plagiarism and copyright law and how merciless I am when faced with knowing
violations -- and the problem has diminished substantially.
 
Some of you may be skeptical about students claiming "I didn't know" but I
had an experience in first year law school that was very similar.  We had a
research and writing assignment.  One student discovered through research
that there was a recently issued (within last 4 weeks)  opinion right on
point out of the AZ Ct. of Appeals.  She shared this information, we
collectively agreed to send one person to Phoenix to get the case, which we
photocopied and shared with one another.  After papers were turned in, we
brought this up in class and the prof. became highly incensed and said that
she couldn't believe we had all cheated in this manner and that she would
have us all expelled.  We were stunned -- we had no idea that we were not to
assist one another with the library research component (though maybe we
should have).  The dean refused to suspend the thirty students in the class
(all but about 3 of us admitted to have participated in the "cooperative"
research) -- I think because of the adverse publicity it would have brought
on the school.  I can still feel the anger and humiliation of being branded
a "cheater" from this incident and so I am cautious in judging students who
claim they "didn't know".
 
 
>          I'm just using the ADR to easily respond to all but I have a
>          different query.
>
>          Cheating.  I am curious about what you all do with students
>          who cheat, especially if it is not an exam but a written
>          assignment.  I give a pass-fail assignment in which students
>          must go to watch a court case and turn in a two page summary
>          of the case and their comments.  For the first time in
>          years, several students copied each other's papers.  I think
>          they all went to court but only one student wrote the paper
>          for them all in one case (same fraternity...you know the
>          rest).  In the other instance the couple was married and one
>          wrote the paper for them both.  The paper carries no grade
>          but if they turn it in late it counts against them on their
>          semester grade.
>
>          I tried to figure out a way that someone could learn from
>          this.  I had them go to court again, turn in individual
>          reports and hand write their teaching assistant (I teach the
>          400 person lecture and t.a.s the discussion groups) an
>          apology.  I am also taking points off for late assignments.
>          Still, I feel dissatisfied.  Am I dreaming?  Is there a
>          "Learning way" to handle this?
>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lizbeth G. Ellis
Associate Professor
New Mexico State University
P.O. Box 30001, Dept. 3FIN
Las Cruces, NM  88003-0001
(505) 646-5066  /  [log in to unmask]