I teach a college writing class. My student just turned in his final essay, and of the ten pages he had copy and pasted about 3 from an Internet site, and he didn't reference the site or change any of the wording. So he plagarized. My department says its up to me to either fail the paper or fail him all together. He's a nice kid but always making excuses. What would you do? Which would teach him the better lesson? He's done 4 months of work, and now all of that might be wasted. Oh, and I think maybe he might have done it before too, now that I think about his wording in some parts of past papers, just the first time I actually caught him....I'm looking for thoughtful answers, I really do feel torn about this. Thank you.
2007-12-01 01:46:12 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Ah, this is tough (I teach college courses too). I would fail him on the assignment (which will give him a huge hit to his grade), then report it to a dean or whoever keeps files of academic integrity violations. Then if he ever does it again in another class, the dean will know it was not a first time offense. Also, do you have copies of the other papers? If you find that he cheated on those, then I would fail him for the class.
By the way, keep copies of everything, and document everything. You may need it if he makes a big stink. Give him a photocopy of the essay and keep the original.
2007-12-01 01:52:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is not hard for me. I am a retired lawyer and I have taught paralegal studies courses. I would fail him for the entire course. I would rather fail a student than give him a "D" grade which might be what he would receive if I factored in failing the paper that was due. At the college where I taught, the student could re-take the course during a subsequent semester and not really have his grade point average impaired as it would with a "D" grade in the course.
Another consideration would be that I am setting a precedent for behavior. The word "gets out" as to whether students can get away with cheating in a course. I would rather have a reputation for being a demanding teacher than have a reputation for being a "patsy" that is easily fooled and easily talked out of giving discipline to a student who breaks the rules.
2007-12-01 02:16:02 · answer #2 · answered by Mark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fail him altogether. It was academic dishonesty, college policies are usually clearly documented in that regard, and he attempted to scam every student in the class who did honest work.
It's not a penalty you're giving him. It's a penalty that he earned and which you're documenting.
See the distinction?
Oh yes...the rumor mill WILL buzz as to whether you're hard core or a softy with these things. If you're a softy, you'll be dealing with this often. Set the standard now, nail this guy because:
1) He earned it, and
2) Pour encourager les autres :)
Bill
Kickin' it with Voltaire but citing my source
2007-12-01 02:25:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would sit him down and talk to him about, tell him the two options you have, and see how sincere he is with it, whether he acts like so what and repeatedly denies it or if he seems sorry and apologizes then make your decision upon how he acts about it, and if for some reason you do decide to give him another chance and just fail his paper make it perfectly clear that if caught again there will be a no options left automatic fail.
2007-12-01 01:54:28 · answer #4 · answered by a mom of two 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's hard.
Unfortunately this 'nice kid' has made a habit of stealing other people's work. So he's going to need a big shaking to stop it.
Flunk him. But consider giving him a chance to write a paper that isn't plagiarized so he will have something to show that he might have actually learned in your class.
If he doesn't learn now, he's very much at risk for prison time for copyright violations- and yes, it could happen.
Good luck and feel better.
2007-12-01 01:57:48 · answer #5 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Take him aside and tell him, you are onto his tricks and let him know he is getting an incomplete and a failing grade on this paper and that if he does it again, you will fail him completely.
2007-12-01 01:56:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i personally would fail the paper and have him attend a few after school sessions to make him realize that this is college now and he is an adult later in life he would thank u.
2007-12-01 01:55:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I say you fail his paper not fail him all together That would be the best thing to do!
2007-12-01 01:55:01 · answer #8 · answered by I LOVE MY BFF ANNIE!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Would this be an option?...
Tell him you know he didn't do the assigment, but if he can submit an authentic work of quality within a certain time, he can still earn a 'D' for that assignment?
2007-12-01 02:03:43 · answer #9 · answered by lmn78744 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋