How can you prevent academic dishonesty when using educational technology?

1 Define expectations

The first step to prevent academic dishonesty is to clearly define and communicate your expectations for academic honesty and the consequences of violating them. You can do this by including a statement of academic integrity in your syllabus, course materials, and assignments, and by reviewing it with your students at the beginning of the course and before each assessment. You can also ask your students to sign an honor code or pledge that commits them to uphold the standards of academic integrity in your course.

2 Design authentic assessments

The second step to prevent academic dishonesty is to design authentic assessments that require students to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful and relevant ways. Authentic assessments can reduce the incentives and opportunities for cheating, as they are more difficult to copy, outsource, or fake than traditional tests or quizzes. Some examples of authentic assessments are projects, portfolios, case studies, simulations, presentations, and peer reviews. You can also use formative assessments, such as self-checks, feedback, and reflections, to monitor students' progress and understanding throughout the course.

3 Use technology tools

The third step to prevent academic dishonesty is to use technology tools that can help you detect and deter cheating and plagiarism. For example, you can use online proctoring services, such as ProctorU or Examity, to monitor students' behavior and environment during online exams. You can also use plagiarism detection software, such as Turnitin or SafeAssign, to check students' submissions for originality and citation accuracy. However, you should also be aware of the limitations and ethical implications of these tools, as they may not be foolproof, reliable, or fair for all students.

4 Build rapport and trust

The fourth step to prevent academic dishonesty is to build rapport and trust with your students and create a supportive and collaborative learning community. You can do this by showing interest and care for your students, providing timely and constructive feedback, encouraging communication and interaction, and fostering a growth mindset and a culture of learning. By building rapport and trust, you can motivate your students to engage in ethical and responsible learning behaviors and to value their own and others' academic work.

5 Educate and empower

The fifth step to prevent academic dishonesty is to educate and empower your students to develop the skills and attitudes that support academic integrity. You can do this by providing instruction and resources on how to conduct research, cite sources, paraphrase, summarize, and synthesize information, and how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes that may lead to unintentional plagiarism. You can also empower your students to take ownership of their learning, to reflect on their goals and achievements, and to seek help when they need it.

6 Evaluate and improve

The sixth step to prevent academic dishonesty is to evaluate and improve your own practices and policies regarding academic integrity. You can do this by collecting and analyzing data on the prevalence and types of academic dishonesty in your courses, by soliciting feedback from your students and colleagues, and by reviewing the latest research and best practices on educational technology and academic integrity. You can also use this information to revise and refine your course design, assessment methods, and technology tools to better prevent and address academic dishonesty in the future.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?