Plagiarism: Are FE Students Getting Away With Words? TIP For additional advice see Dale Carnegie Training® Presentation Guidelines

Introduction Dudley College applied to take part in this programme to support the curriculum staff, in determining the effectiveness of electronic plagiarism detection software in identifying plagiarism in student assignments..

Additional Benefits Allowed the College to Demonstrate Academic Rigor for QAA Inspection Purposes.Allowed the College to Demonstrate Academic Rigor for QAA Inspection Purposes. Enabled the College to Assess the use of such software, for use alongside our current ILT provision.Enabled the College to Assess the use of such software, for use alongside our current ILT provision. Opportunity to Develop Research as an Activity Within the College.Opportunity to Develop Research as an Activity Within the College.

Methodology In this exercise, Students handed their work to their Tutor on Disk, and these Disks were then sent to the ILT manager who uploaded them onto the Software. If we were to operate this system live across the whole College, then we would probably train students to upload to their tutor automatically.In this exercise, Students handed their work to their Tutor on Disk, and these Disks were then sent to the ILT manager who uploaded them onto the Software. If we were to operate this system live across the whole College, then we would probably train students to upload to their tutor automatically.

Results. 40 Disks returned. Extensive Web Use on Two HND Students. No Use by NVQ/GNVQ Intermediate Engineers.40 Disks returned. Extensive Web Use on Two HND Students. No Use by NVQ/GNVQ Intermediate Engineers. No evidence of extensive Plagiarism.No evidence of extensive Plagiarism.

Conclusions Evidence Might be Flawed Due to Legal Requirement of Project Disclosure.Evidence Might be Flawed Due to Legal Requirement of Project Disclosure. Students who used Web Based Material referenced it- Surprise, Surprise.Students who used Web Based Material referenced it- Surprise, Surprise. Software was difficult to use due to cut and Paste Upload Technique.Software was difficult to use due to cut and Paste Upload Technique. Students and Staff appeared to express no Hostility to Software.Students and Staff appeared to express no Hostility to Software.

Conclusions Continued Software needs to cover Books and Journals, which are the Main Sources of Plagiarism used by Students (according to Staff) within FE.Software needs to cover Books and Journals, which are the Main Sources of Plagiarism used by Students (according to Staff) within FE. Software must be able to Catch Graphics (which formed the main part of the Engineering Students Work).Software must be able to Catch Graphics (which formed the main part of the Engineering Students Work). TIP As appropriate, supplement your presentation with technical support data in hard copy or on disc, , internet

Should FE Be Interested In This? Yes, as Electronic Submission Will Reduce Paper, and Claims that Staff have Lost Work.Yes, as Electronic Submission Will Reduce Paper, and Claims that Staff have Lost Work. Yes, as more of our Students become ILT Trained, to Maintain Academic Standards.Yes, as more of our Students become ILT Trained, to Maintain Academic Standards. Yes, if a College Intends to Develop ILT Courses, to Supervise Material Submitted by Distance Students for Assessment.Yes, if a College Intends to Develop ILT Courses, to Supervise Material Submitted by Distance Students for Assessment.