Plagiarism

“Hmmm,,,does Tarabull post her papers on the web?

Have you obtained a writing sample from her, ped????


A new suspect appears.”

“OUCH!!!

I have been in this situation before, I know how it feels. I taught undergrads and was fortunate to teach some television production courses (most undergrads don't get near teaching these level classes)

Anyway, I caught a student who lifted an entire TV script, re-formatted it to look like his style and then turned it in for his final grade. The only way I caught him was that I was a big fan of the old McGuyver episodes. He copied it word for word.

This was the last class he had to take, he was set to graduate that fall.

I called him into my office to discuss and had him explain why he did it. I know he had been stressed out over graduation and some personal things that was happening in his life. He actually broke down and started crying.

Bottom line, I passed him with a D which screwed his GPA. He would have graduated with a 4.0.

Choices have consequences.”

“So, not to minimize your MacGyver fandom, but was it an episode where he didn't build a microwave relay from a bubble gum wrapper, a lemon, and a piece of copper wire? Because it seems to me that MacGyver would be pretty easy to spot. Or did he do more substantial reworking of the plot?”

“You know it had to include the Swiss army knife.”

“If it was me, I'd have copied the script from "A Very Special Episode of ________" because they're all the same.”

“it could be very beneficial to have something to hold over a couple of college girls' heads. i'm sure they would both make it worth not busting them, maybe both of them at the same time, even :?)
seriously, though, im surprised more people haven't said to be lenient.
i say, tell em you know, and make them write a new paper. if it's not an 'A' paper, fail em for the class. this way they could actually come out learning more than everyone else in the class. that's what it's all about, right, learning?”

“someone said head...i say slow head! I have a serious opinion somewhere..but i don't know where at this time!! *crazed look*..hmm need more aspirin”

“Just now read over this thread. I concur with others with letting them know they're busted, and taking it from there. It depends on the person's attitude, IMO. In my line of work, plagerism leads to firings and lawsuits. It's a very serious issue.”

“"Just now read over this thread. I concur with others with letting them know they're busted, and taking it from there. It depends on the person's attitude, IMO. In my line of work, plagerism leads to firings and lawsuits. It's a very serious issue."


Buddha Bear
02:45:55 PM
12/02/03

WTF Artex! You just plagered me! I'm calling my lawyer, Chili36!”

“Maybe they just forgot to cite their references and quotes. lol”

“I have no doubt it was major plagiarsm. For example: 3 sentences in a paragraph matching word for word sentences in the paragraph in the source essay (available on line). It wasn't just pieces of text thrown together as notes... they were sticticed together to read like a coherent paper.

They actually used quite a few sources (I started picking out 10 words in a paragraph, cutting and pasting the quotes into google and finding the sources)... so their research work wasn't bad at all.

I'm leaning towards leniency... it was a draft, but they told me that they had written 20 pages of the paper when I asked them about their progress. It is indisputable that they were trying to pass off someone else's work as their own.

I looked up the school regulations - it's my discretion as to what to do. I'm not required to report it. The section says I can do nothing, fail them for the assignment, fail them for the semester, reject the work and have them start again, call in the Dean and Department Chair and request dismissal.

They are dropping all their notes off, including drafts of the next part of the paper, and I will meet with them Thursday. I will have to think about whether I will ask another Prof to be present.

I spoke briefly to K... in a rush, she admitted it.

Thanks everyone for comments, empathy and the chance to vent.”

“Hey, let us know what happens, will you? I hate reading an unfinished story ;)”

“Good luck, pedxing.

BTW - not to get too off-topic, but this reminds me of chapter in Stephen King's "Dreamcatcher". One of the characters is an Assoc. Proff., and busts one of his students for plagarism. He debated what to do about it. But the kid fessed up, was ashamed about it, and the Assoc. Proff. ended up showing mercy and let him rewrite the paper. Very similiar to what you're going through, pedxing. :-)”

“Give them a chance to at least explain things. They're kids & you have the power to give them another chance. Use it. Hang them & it will stay with you forever.

A good butt chewing may be in order but there may be extenuating circumstances.

If they continue with this practice, then tell them that you'll take it to the dean (or their parents)”

“I have no doubt it was major plagiarsm.

I have no doubt you forgot to spellcheck.

I spoke briefly to K... in a rush, she admitted it.

This proves beyond a doubt that you are quite a detective!

I'm leaning towards leniency...

Enjoy your romp on the desk, bastard!”

“After my comments yesterday, one of my colleagues told me he had just caught two composition students plagiarizing from the Cliff's Notes for the novel the class was writing about. Does it get any lazier or transparent than that?”

“I will have to think about whether I will ask another Prof to be present

You're joking, right? Don't even open yourself up to harrassment issues. Male prof + female students + serious infraction = possibility of nasty allegation. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but why take any risk at all?”

“Let's get right down to the crux of the matter.



Are they good looking?”

“Wholly cow! Yes! Yes! Yes! Please have another person present when talking to them, I don't care how well you know them. I never talk to a female student alone, ever!.....I'd like to leave my job on my terms.”