What are some strategies to prevent plagiarism and cheating in authentic assessment?

Preventing plagiarism and cheating in authentic assessment is crucial for maintaining academic integrity. Here's how defining clear criteria & expectations can be implemented: Detailed Rubrics: Provide students with detailed rubrics outlining the specific criteria for assessment. Break down each aspect of the assignment, including content, structure, referencing, & originality. Clear rubrics help students understand the standards against which their work will be evaluated. Explicit Instructions: Clearly communicate the purpose of the assessment and the learning objectives it aims to measure. Provide explicit instructions on formatting, citation styles, & permissible sources. Emphasise the importance of originality and academic integrity.

One of the biggest factors to understanding how to address plagiarism and cheating is to understand one's learning theory that they have adopted into their teaching practice. Most commonly I see educators adopt a cognitivism or constructivism approach, which is very reliant on students remembering information that is told to them and being able to create understanding based on previous knowledge. I take a more connectivist approach, which recognizes the need for students to regularly source and update information. That being said, pulling information from sources beyond what the teacher provides is not only encouraged but expected. The key is being clear that students should give credit where credit is due and cite sources accordingly.

The most effective strategy for ameliorating malpractice issues is to deploy a basket of assessment instruments. All are fair, valid, and reliable. Many are tech-enabled, which eases deployment, controls costs, and provides a full audit trail. Using multiple instruments provides a deeper understanding of a learner's capabilities. The following instruments are all recognised and codified by regulators: Aural Exam, Coursework, E-assessment, Multiple Choice Exam, Oral Exam, Portfolio of Evidence, Practical Demonstration/Assignment, Practical Exam, Task-based Controlled Assessment, Written Exam.

Designing original and challenging tasks is a fundamental strategy in preventing plagiarism in authentic assessment. Here are some strategies to achieve this: Real-World Relevance: Design tasks that have real-world relevance and applicability. Connect the assessment to current events, industry challenges, or community issues. When students see the practical significance of their work, they are motivated to engage authentically and produce original solutions. Authentic Problems: Present students with authentic problems that reflect the complexities of their discipline. Encourage them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, demonstrate problem-solving skills, and generate novel ideas.

En Matemática, mi área de expertise, considero importante dise?ar tareas que relacionen la realidad con su contexto. Hace un par de semanas, por ejemplo, un docente compartió una actividad en la que la estudiante utilizaba Google Maps (vista Street) para dise?ar un mapa en papel, desde su casa a la escuela. Esta tarea integra la tecnología, se ajusta al objetivo de aprendizaje (localización en el espacio), tiene un sentido de realidad significativo y es una experiencia única para cada estudiante, desincentivando la copia.

Incorporating self and peer assessment into authentic assessment practices is a powerful strategy to promote academic integrity & student engagement. Here's how: Guided Self-Assessment: Provide students with opportunities for guided self-assessment. Encourage them to reflect on their own work in relation to the Learning Outcomes. This process helps students develop metacognitive skills and encourages them to take ownership of their learning. Peer Review: Implement peer review sessions where students provide feedback on each other's work. Assign specific criteria for peer evaluation & encourage constructive feedback. Peer review not only enhances the quality of the final output but also cultivates a sense of accountability & peer support.

Using technology and tools wisely is essential in authentic assessment. Here are some strategies to achieve this: Secure Testing Environments: If conducting online assessments or quizzes, ensure that the testing environment is secure to prevent cheating. Use proctoring software that monitors students' screens and webcam feeds to deter dishonest behaviour. Balance security measures with respect for students' privacy and ethical considerations. Educational Simulations: Incorporate educational simulations that challenge students to apply their knowledge in authentic scenarios. These immersive experiences not only make learning enjoyable but also reinforce concepts and skills in a meaningful way.

The strategies outlined for using technology wisely provide a thoughtful approach to leveraging tools for assessment integrity. However, we must be mindful of potential overreach. While plagiarism checkers and proctoring software can detect cheating, they can also create an atmosphere of surveillance and mistrust. Students may feel their privacy and rights are being violated. As I always emphasize, our goal should be to promote academic integrity through education, not just detection. We must have open conversations about ethics and model integrity in our own work. With care, technology can support assessment validity without compromising educational values. But we should see it as one piece of a holistic approach, not a silver bullet.

Considero importante conocer las tecnologías para poder desarrollar conocimiento acerca de sus limitaciones. De este modo, en la revisión, se pueden desarrollar estrategias para detectar si los estudiantes replican de manera sistemática los mismos errores que tiene una herramienta tecnológica. Sin embargo, el diálogo abierto y el promover un sentido al aprendizaje, puede ser una excelente herramienta para que los estudiante autorregulen ese incentivo que los aleja del fin último: aprender. Si entiendo por qué y para qué me sirve aprender, más responsable me haré de mis desempe?os.