This commentary paper examines the issue of contract cheating in higher education, drawing on research and current debate in the field of academic integrity. Media coverage of this issue has reflected significant concerns in the field about students' use of custom academic writing services, along with sector and national calls for action that…

In this "Postcard from the Podium," Belinda Luke describes her first experience on a faculty Academic Misconduct Committee. From a personal perspective, the experience made her reconsider her own views not only on plagiarism--to which there are varying degrees ranging perhaps from students looking at a previous assignment to using it as…

This paper is comprised of two essays by the same author. The first essay, "Reading and Writing," refers to two books written by Dan Koeppel as an introduction to the topic of plagiarism in education and the temptation that both educators and students face to cheat. A "Big Lister" is described by Dan Koeppel in his book,…

America is in the midst of one of the worst economic environments since the Great Depression, and the fallout from dishonest individuals from Wall Street to Pennsylvania Avenue has been breathtaking. As a graduate student, the author has observed that many people easily begin rationalizing dishonest behavior early in their careers. He advocates…

In their efforts to manage the college environment, many higher-education institutions have deployed complex systems of student discipline--often in the form of legalistic codes of conduct. Paradoxically, says the author, major challenges involving students on campuses appear to be getting worse: high-risk alcohol/drug use persists; student…

In this article, the author discusses why it is imperative that students understand the importance of academic integrity. The author emphasizes that students should maintain their integrity because the reliability of their work and what they learn depends on it. He also shares the new policy adopted by his university in dealing with violations of…

Recent articles from the "Atlantic Monthly" to "Newsweek", have identified plagiarism as an issue now on the educational front burner. Academics and teachers in all areas seem to be upset about the numbers of students who are not writing their own papers. In this article, the author, describes strategies, he has used in his class for minimizing,…

Cheating is not a problem unique to Internet-based training. It is a phenomenon that can and does compromise academic integrity in all settings, in both the traditional classroom and in distance-learning environments. But what are the remedies to compromises and abuses of the learning process, and challenges to the testing process in distance…

Explains the problems associated with the current ways cheating situations are handled. Offers suggestions to administrators to assist in lowering the likelihood of these events occurring. Feels that knowledge of academic misconduct rules and due process is essential for faculty. (PA)

Points out how student cheating illustrates sound principles of teaching and learning, such as negotiation, quality production under time pressure, and collaborative problem solving. (SR)

Student plagiarism is an important topic of discussion in the teaching profession. Part of the profession mission should be to help classroom teachers improve the quality of their research assignment (whether they want to or not).

Presents a list of ways to forestall student attempts to submit "recycled" papers, including requiring in-class assignments, joint reports, copies of reports, and a filing system for student reports. (EL)

In this article, Bobby Ann Starnes, discusses cheating in the classroom and in the political world. She uses specific examples from her own school experiences and from president Bush's "Texas Miracle." She discusses what students consider as real needs for cheating, which include students staying eligible for sports or membership in…

Several recent studies indicate that cheating has become both more prevalent and more socially acceptable. In this article I draw parallels between market values and student attitudes about cheating. They include: (1) reduction of a broad range of goods to their economic value, (2) use of non-reciprocity as a guiding principle, (3) valuing the…

Ramifications of cheating include underqualified graduates and the probable continuation of unethical behavior into dental practice. Dental educators are encouraged to stress pride in professionalism, to reinforce positive student behaviors, and to administer swift punishment to violators. (DB)