Academic Integrity Online

Guide to Supporting Academic Integrity Online

The best way to promote academic integrity online and authentically assess student learning is
through the use of multiple measures.

Online Quizzes/Exams

  • Randomize questions on exams by using a quiz bank (with many possible questions)
  • Shuffle quiz answers (Don’t have one of your answers “all of the above” if you shuffle quiz answers).
  • Limit time for taking tests/quizzes
  • Show only one questions at a time
  • Limit time-window that tests are available
  • Have multiple low-stakes assessments rather than a few high stakes assessments
  • Do not release scores and answers until all students have completed quiz/exam
  • Update Quiz bank regularly
  • Use open book quizzes to reduce temptation to cheat

For Online Essays

  • Scaffold or break down the assignment so that portions of it are due throughout the semester.
  • Require an abstract for papers. Students who did not write a paper may have difficulty
    writing a synopsis
  • Require recent references (no more than 5 years old)
  • Use Unicheck plagiarism checker
  • Ask students to provide a writing sample at beginning of semester
  • Require an annotated bibliography for research assignments
  • Require that students include an outline of their paper

Course Policies/Practices

  • Emphasize the academic honesty policy that is in your syllabus
  • Clarify expectations and explain academic dishonesty/plagiarism
  • Use Unicheck plagiarism checker for assignment submissions
  • Explain citation guidelines and teach students about plagiarism
  • Include information in your course about support services such as tutoring, online tutoring, the Writing Center, and the library

References

Michael, T. B., & Williams, M. A. (2013) Student Equity: Discouraging Cheating in Online
        Courses. Administrative Issues Journal: Education, Practice, and Research, 3(2), 1-12.

McGee, P. (2013) Supporting Academic Honesty in Online Courses. Journal of Educators Online

WCET, WICHE Cooperative for Educational (2009) Best Practice Strategies to Promote
         Academic Integrity in Online Education. Version 2.0. Wcet, 1-4.