JOURNAL 3

In Jim Paterson’s article, “A War of Words”, many valid points are voiced on how to control the problem of plagiarism or teach students what to recognize it in their own work before publishing a body of writing. In my own experiences I remember being taught what plagiarism was, but never taught how to recognize it in my own work. I really found it interesting how a librarian at an Elementary school was able to develop a program to create student awareness at multiple grade levels. In the article she was able to gain a second graders perspective on how to identify that the concept of plagiarism is wrong. Immediately, I linked it to how as young children we are taught at an early age that the concept of taking something that does not belong to us is stealing and that it is wrong, not to mention illegal. Why not incorporate those same principles and guidelines when teaching writing. What are the actions we as educators are taking to teach students about plagiarism as opposed to just policing written bodies of work?

Questions:

1. How early is too early to begin to teach students about plagiarism?
It is never too early to begin teaching students the definition of plagiarism, forms of plagiarism and how to properly site their sources. It is in the students best long term interest to be informed how plagiarism is unacceptable in any form and the severe repercussions that may follow. As soon as the students are exposed to the principles of summarizing and paraphrasing it is the time to begin teaching them how to cite resources properly if they are using ideas other than their own

2. Are the programs that are out there designed to patrol plagiarism doing more harm then good?
I think that those who are designing these programs are on the right track, but may be incorporating them in ineffective ways. For example, instead of using many of these programs to catch students after the fact, it may serve as a more effective tool to use it as a formal lesson to assist students in recognizing and avoiding plagiarism.