This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
The Truth Will Set You Free
I am currently working on a professional ethics unit with my level one class. We had a good class discussion on Friday about character. Monday, we discussed some copyright terms. One of the terms we highlighted was plagiarism- a term with which students are all too familiar. I asked the students if anyone has every plagiarized in the past. Perhaps the admissions to this question were to be expected, and the results certainly did not disappoint. Nearly every student in both of my level one sections raised their hands. I took the survey a step further and asked how many students currently plagiarize. Again, the response was surprising. Nearly half of both classes admitted to plagiarism as a current “practice.” I was shocked. Although I was floored by their honesty, I was surprised to hear that so many students are repeat offenders. Do I abandon my entire curriculum of video and film production and discuss ethical issues and the honor code until the year’s end? Is this simply another case and point that kids are going to do what they are going to do?
I think I would infuse ethics in everything I do throughout the year. Kind of like a "broken record" technique. I think some students don't really understand the concept and need concrete examples. Dr. J.
ReplyDeleteIt sad to think that they are not even embarrassed by the fact that they had plagiarized and even more sad that they didn't feel they did anything wrong. With the 'age of technology' its all to easy to copy and paste something and no one being the wiser for it. Pop stars take just enough of someone else's songs or words without having to pay for the rights, youtube is full of videos that are reproduced or captured without consent, and parents are either too busy or lack the knowledge to teach their children at a young age the morals and values that are so clearly lacking.
ReplyDelete