Pllagiarism prevention

[Doug Johnson <dougj@DOUG-JOHNSON.COM>]

Hi Folks,

I am so glad that Colleen MacDonell has framed the plagiarism problem in
terms of punish or prevent. This has been a long-standing issue with me.

I have always lost heart when one of my kids was given an "about"
research assignment that never asked for more than what Bloom would have
called Knowledge or Comprehension level questions. When I read my son's
assignment "Write a paper about bats," my first impulse was to send him
to the encyclopedia, tell him to photocopy it and turn it into his
teacher saying the assignment had already been done better by someone
else.

I honestly believe that one big reason that kids plagiarize is that they
are NEVER asked to personalize their research or come up with original,
creative solutions to problems though it. Our concern about plagiarism
should only be partially based on intellectual property concerns - it
should also be based on whether we are using the research project to
make  critical, original thinkers out of students.

Our district has used the rubric below to improve the level of research
assignments for the past few years to good effect. You are welcome to
use it with your staff as well. We want NO level one questions and hope
that kids get at least a few level 4 questions during their stay with us
in the district:

A Research Question Rubric: Not all research questions are created
equal.

. Level One: My research is about a broad topic. I can complete the
assignment by using a general reference source such as an encyclopedia.
I have no personal questions about the topic.
        Primary example: My research is about an animal.
        Secondary example: My research is about the economy of
Minnesota.

. Level Two: My research answers a question that helps me narrow the
focus of my search. This question may mean that I need to go to various
sources to gather enough information to get a reliable answer. The
conclusion of the research will ask me to give a supported answer to the
question.
        Primary example: What methods has my animal developed to help it
survive?
        Secondary example: What role has manufacturing played in
Minnesota's economic development?

. Level Three: My research answers a question of personal relevance. To
answer this question I may need to consult not just secondary sources
such as magazines, newspapers, books or the Internet, but use primary
sources of information such as original surveys, interviews, or source
documents.
        Primary example: What animal would be best for my family to
adopt as a pet?
        Secondary example: How can one best prepare for a career in
manufacturing in the Twin Cities area?

. Level Four: My research answers a personal question about the topic,
and contains information that may be of use to decision-makers as they
make policy or distribute funds. The result of my research is a
well-supported conclusion that contains a call for action on the part of
an organization or government body. There will be a plan to distribute
this information.
        Primary example: How can our school help stop the growth in
unwanted and abandoned animals in our community?
        Secondary example: How might high schools change their curricula
to meet the needs of students
        wanting a career in manufacturing in Minnesota?

If you are interested in reading other ideas about research and
motivation, a piece I wrote from MultiMedia Schools in 99 is still
available on the web at
http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/nov99/johnson.htm

I do believe we need to look at our own assignments and roles as
teachers when combating plagiarism. This is a charge that is well worth
library media specialists leading!

All the best,

Doug
************
Doug Johnson
Director of Media and Technology
I.S.D. 77, Mankato Public Schools
Box 8713, Mankato MN 56002-8713
Voice: 507-387-7698, Fax: 507-387-2496
E-mail: dougj@doug-johnson.com
Web: www.doug-johnson.com

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.  Annie
Dillard

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to:
listserv@listserv.syr.edu   In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
4) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
 See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors:
    http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=