Universities' Handling Of Student Assignments: Storage And Access

The handling of student assignments by universities is a complex and evolving issue, with no one-size-fits-all approach. While some universities retain student assignments for a limited time, often to address grading challenges, others may store them indefinitely, especially with the use of online tools and softcopy formats. Plagiarism detection software also plays a role, with databases storing billions of student papers. Additionally, the online sharing of assignments and the emergence of contract cheating services have further complicated the matter, leading to discussions on potential solutions and the impact on higher education.

How universities tackle plagiarism

Universities have various methods to tackle plagiarism and promote academic integrity. Firstly, they emphasise the importance of acknowledging others' work and ideas, which involves correctly referencing sources using footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical citations. This extends beyond text to other media such as computer code, illustrations, and graphs. Universities also encourage students to develop their own voice and become independent thinkers who can critically assess and build upon the work of others.

To prevent plagiarism, universities offer resources and training to students, such as online courses, tutorials, handbooks, and video tutorials, which provide guidance on recognising and avoiding plagiarism. These resources cover topics like citation formats, paraphrasing, and the ethical implications of plagiarism. Additionally, universities may provide academic writing programmes to improve students' writing skills and understanding of acceptable practices.

Instructors play a crucial role in tackling plagiarism by setting clear expectations for citations and providing consequences for plagiarism, ranging from redoing assignments to expulsion. They also emphasise the importance of critical analysis and structured arguments in assignment guidelines, encouraging students to develop their own responses to essay questions.

Universities also utilise plagiarism detection software like Turnitin, which stores student papers indefinitely to identify potential plagiarism. However, this software is not the sole solution, and universities are developing new approaches to maintain the academic integrity of their institutions.

How universities prevent students from sharing assignments online

With the advent of the internet, it has become increasingly easy for university students to share class assignments online. While this is not a new phenomenon, the digital age has made it much more convenient for students to exchange assignments and any accompanying answer keys. This poses a challenge for universities and instructors, who must now find ways to prevent students from sharing assignments online and maintain academic integrity. Here are some measures universities can take to address this issue:

Promote Academic Integrity:

Universities can emphasize the importance of academic integrity and honesty in their codes of conduct and honor codes. Students should be educated about the consequences of plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration. Some universities have academic honesty hearings, and professors can file claims of academic dishonesty if they notice similarities between submissions.

Use Varied Assessment Methods:

Instructors can design assessments that are project-based, open-ended, or involve oral exams. This makes it harder for students to circulate or find the exact assignment online. For example, a 20-page term paper on the question, "What is religion?" does not have a definitive answer key.

Utilize Text-Matching Software:

Instructors can use text-matching software to check for plagiarism and detect if a student's work has been copied or shared without permission. This software can help identify instances of unauthorized collaboration and ensure that students are properly citing their sources.

Confidentiality and Personalization:

Universities can encourage instructors to personalize assignments and provide unique instructions for each student. This makes it harder for students to share assignments online, as they won't be directly applicable to everyone in the class. Instructors can also maintain the confidentiality of assignments by not distributing them electronically or providing answer keys.

Strict Enforcement of Rules:

Universities should have clear policies regarding cheating and plagiarism, with corresponding penalties. Students should be made aware of these policies, and instructors should enforce them consistently. This can act as a deterrent for students who may consider sharing or using shared assignments.

By implementing these strategies, universities can actively discourage students from sharing assignments online and promote academic integrity in their institutions.

How universities can detect contract cheating

Universities use student assignments for grading purposes, allowing students to challenge their grades if they are unhappy with them. These assignments are also stored for later research and to detect plagiarism. Text-matching software is often used to detect plagiarism, but it is not very effective at identifying contract cheating.

Contract cheating is when students submit work that has been completed by a third party. This form of academic misconduct has become increasingly common, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when exams were conducted online without rigorous monitoring. To detect contract cheating, universities can:

• Train staff to identify key indicators of contract cheating, such as unusual metadata (e.g., a different author name from the student), an unusual template, or content that does not respond to the question.
• Look for suspicious indicators in the work, such as strange textboxes, hidden text, or a different language style or expertise level from the student's prior work.
• Be aware of marketing campaigns by contract cheating websites, which may directly target students' personal phone numbers or email accounts.
• Block access to contract cheating company websites from campus users, as some institutions in Australia have done.
• Develop systematic approaches and policies to address contract cheating, as the UK and Australia have done, including corresponding penalties for students.

How long universities keep student assignments

The duration for which universities retain student assignments varies across institutions, with some universities keeping them for as little as a year, while others keep them for up to seven years. This retention period is in place to allow students to access their old assignments, which is especially important if they wish to appeal a grade. After this period, universities are required to dispose of the assignments securely and confidentially to protect the student's privacy and the sensitivity of the information contained therein.

The specific retention and disposal policies may differ depending on the university and the type of assignment. For example, final examinations are typically retained by the university, while course assignments may be returned to students or kept by the instructor. Universities that use online tools or softcopy formats for assignments may store them indefinitely, while physical copies are often disposed of securely after a certain period.

In the case of plagiarism detection software like Turnitin, student papers are stored indefinitely. This allows for the detection of plagiarism in future submissions by other students. However, universities that use such software are still responsible for adhering to data protection regulations and securely disposing of physical copies if they are no longer required.

While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, it is clear that universities give careful consideration to retaining and disposing of student assignments. They must balance the need to protect student privacy and the sensitivity of information with the requirement to maintain records that can be used for grade appeals or other disputes. Each university will have its own policies in place, which are typically in line with relevant data protection and privacy laws.

How universities support international students with assignments

Studying abroad can be an exciting, enriching, and fulfilling experience for international students. However, it can also be daunting and overwhelming, with students needing to adapt to a new place, culture, and language. Most universities, especially those with large numbers of international students, have well-developed support systems in place to make the experience enjoyable.

International Student Services (ISS) offices at universities in the United States provide comprehensive campus support and resources to assist international students with various issues, from visa and immigration queries to orientation programs and year-round activities. These offices serve as a "home base" for international students, offering guidance and support throughout their time at the university. Similarly, universities in the United Kingdom often invite international students to arrive early for an orientation program, providing practical support, information, and opportunities to meet other international students.

To help international students navigate the academic aspects of their new environment, universities offer a range of resources. For instance, international students can visit professors during office hours to seek clarification on assignments or lecture material and receive tips on academic success. Additionally, universities may provide writing centers and academic advisers to guide international students in understanding course requirements and structuring their written responses to assignment questions.

Universities also offer cultural support and belonging initiatives to help international students adjust to their new environment. These initiatives include international festivals, coffee hours, social events, and outings, fostering a sense of community and connection. Overall, universities aim to provide a supportive framework to enhance the international student experience, ensuring they feel welcomed and valued during their studies abroad.

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