School dialogue has changed considerably over the past few years. “Is a computer easily accessible?” is no longer a real question. The overwhelming necessity of a computer to do schoolwork is primarily caused by the overall efficiency of computers and the internet. Instead of having to decipher the messiest of handwritings, teachers now only have to grade sheets filled with computer print. Students have resources available every hour of everyday to help them study and understand any confusing material. However, with these benefits comes a price – plagiarism is a growing problem in schools today.
High-profile plagiarism cases have recently surfaced; this is an apparent reminder that whatever useful is found on the internet can be abused. Sarah Palin was accused of using an article written by Newt Gingrich and Craig Shirley (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/geoffrey-dunn/palin-plagiarizes-gingric_b_...). Wired editor, Chris Anderson, was caught copying passages from Wikipedia by the Virginia Quarterly Review (http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/wired-editor-responds...). One in three students admitted to cheating in a survey done in 2006 (http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2006/mar/16/highereducation.uk). Nevertheless, the internet is still relied on as a vital source in the educational system.
A rising junior, Linda Asiamah comments, “Technology has made teaching easier; however, society has become too dependent on technology, and life without it seems impossible.” Computers and the internet have lifted immense burdens off the shoulders of students and teachers alike. They can review subject material the day before when it is taught, pick up strategies to use in the classroom, or use online resources to clarify any misunderstandings.
Eleventh-grader Michelle Kiang agrees with the aforementioned sentiments, “The good part about the use of technology in schools is that you can have access to more information and do things quicker, which is the point, but I can see how plagiarism [is] a problem.” Teachers’ roles have changed from primary educators to facilitators of knowledge, and understandably so. Instead of having to address problems in understanding inside the classroom, wasting class time, students can now refer to the internet. It is a vital study resource and material found online can be used as a refresher course for teachers. The efficiency of the internet and the seriousness of plagiarism make it hard to say whether the internet is an overall good innovation to be used in the classroom or not.
With websites like TurnItIn.com and PlagiarismDetect.com, educators can eliminate the issue of cheating in their classrooms. Although plagiarism goes undetected all too often, the recognition of this threat to education is making such sites more popular and necessary to ensure fair grading. An incredible resource like the World Wide Web should not be wasted, and as long as steps are taken to ensure that this freedom is not abused, the use of technology in the classroom is perfectly fine.
---Sahifah Ansari---
