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Tips for instructorsThe way in which an instructor approaches academic integrity goes a long way toward shaping the type of behavior that take place in the classroom. For example, those instructors who openly discuss integrity with their students and provide explicit information about what is and what isn’t allowed and continue to reinforce that discussion throughout the semester tend to have fewer issues with plagiarism or cheating.
Here are a few ways to communicate your expectations of academic integrity to your students:
- Educate yourself on institutional & department policies re: academic integrity (plagiarism, cheating, acceptable format APA, MLA…), discuss with colleagues what is considered acceptable & unacceptable — i.e. number of un-cited words…, collaborative work, acceptable/unacceptable technologies in class, expectations during exams including leaving the room, permitted tools, seating etc. Strive for reasonable & consistent approaches within your faculty & within your classrooms.
- Communicate clear expectations verbally and in writing either as an attachment to the course syllabus or as a stand alone handout to students at the beginning of every semester.
- Dedicate a class to discussion of these expectations — encourage students to participate, question & discuss.
- Do not assume that students have adequate knowledge & understanding of academic integrity — most do not.
- Be clear regarding collaborative/group work — acceptable or not and to what extent — i.e. when does collaboration with colleagues become plagiarism or cheating? Clear concise instructions around this will assist in deterring incidents. i.e. students may work in pairs to do research but the assignment submission must be individual.
- Be clear regarding acceptable or unacceptable use of technology including phones such as i-pods, calculators or any other electronic devices.
- Provide resource info for students including yourself & your available office hours; Student Learning Services, Library Services, useful web sites, the OSC… this could be included on blackboard sites.
- Repeat, remind & review your expectations with students prior to exams, dates of assignment submissions & presentations. Repeat these expectations often.
- Include expectations as the first page of an exam.
- Make changes to exams and assignments each semester.
- Advise students what possible consequences may be imposed if the expectations are not met or are breached.
- Have students sign an agreement of understanding.
Faculty Frequently Asked Questions
Instructor/student meeting
- At all times protect the student’s right to confidentiality.
- Confidentially arrange a meeting at a reasonably agreed upon time, advising the student of the reason for the meeting i.e., “I would like to discuss your recently submitted assignment”. Provide the student sufficient information about why you are requesting a meeting so he/she has time to prepare for the discussion.
- Students are often unable to meet immediately due to job or other course commitments. Be as flexible and accommodating as your schedule permits. Inform the student that they are welcome to bring an attendant from the Student Association or otherwise, and if applicable, your intent to have a colleague present — i.e. your Chairperson.
- Encourage the student to access and review this site or to contact the Student Association or the OSC before the meeting. Recommend that the student review Student Tips and rights under the Code of Student Conduct.
- Although you may be disappointed with what you believe the student has done, treat the student with respect and professionalism. The education process continues.
- Confidentially meet with your student to discuss your findings or suspicions.
- Give the student an opportunity to respond; they may present a reasonable explanation or alternatively may take responsibility for the infraction.
- You may determine that in your opinion, the student has demonstrated poor judgment/lack of knowledge, however, there is no basis to assume the student acted with ‘intent to deceive’. This is a good opportunity to provide the student with information and resources for improving subsequent work.
- If after the meeting, you decide on a balance of probabilities that a violation has occurred, and in consultation with your Chairperson you have determined what you see as a reasonable & appropriate sanction for the offence, inform the student that you are obligated to report the infraction to the OSC and what your recommended sanction will be.
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