J-UCSP+611

 =UCSP 611 Introduction to Graduate Library Research Skills = I Have Major Posts Listed Here on Topics From The OMDE 601 Class The Madge Johnson Exercise Author: Stuart Adams Created: Tuesday, 7/13/2009

In the first Module of UCSP 611 we viewed a brief video of a fictional student, Madge Johnson, who is caught cheating on a class assigment. We were asked to comment on the video and "The Case of Madge Johnson." My posted comments were as follows:

In my understanding and interpretation of this video, Madge clearly and intentionally violated the anti-plagiarism and intellectual property rules of the school. Some observations:

1) The U of MD makes its rules against plagiarism clear, almost to the point of being an annoyance. At this level of education, and in this day and age,. Madge Johnson has are no excuse for plagiarism, no excuse for not knowing that paraphrasing must be properly cited and referenced.

2) I agree with Mohamed and Doug’s post that Madge’s proper course of action would be to discuss her situation and constraints with the professor. Especially in distance education, the professor should recognize that students are going to school along with other real-life responsibilities. The professor (should and) is likely to be responsive to a student’s call for help.

3) As we grow into the post-industrial society and knowledge-based economy, we must learn to respect intellectual property. It may, in fact, represent a person’s life’s work.

4) Accept that intellectual property is product. For that reason, plagiarism is the same as illegally downloading music or videos, or buying DVDs on the street (you have to know that they are ill-gotten). Its theft.

5) Recognize that small acts of dishonesty are likely to lead to larger acts. The case of Ward Churchill at the University of Colorado is an object lesson on where academic dishonesty leads. I suspect that he spent much of his academic life with various people giving him a “second chance.”

6) I have spent 30 years in the business world and have seen numerous acts of dishonesty perpetrated by people who believed that “its all a game, he who ends up with the most toys, wins” or “its only about what you can get away with and not get caught at.” After nearly a decade Enrons, Madoffs and the like, its time people got the message: cheaters get caught as well they should. Worse than that, they pollute the environment for all of the honest people.

7) The Dean should follow University policy in disciplining the Madge. I’ve been on policy setting and reviewing boards and experienced the great deal of time and thought can go into setting such a policy. If the policy allows the violator a second chance or other form of discretion on the part of the professor, so be it. But the policy should be respected and followed. That way, everybody is subject to the same rules and consequences. Justice is defined as Due Process.

8) Kimberly is right on target that first offense leniency sends the message as to what one can get away with. Follow the University policy.

Sorry if I sound like I lack compassion. I am tired of seeing the honest people get the short end for following the rules and cheaters getting ahead.

The Research Plan Assignment Author: Stuart Adams Created: 7/29/2009 In the US public school system, what growth trends are projected for the use of on-line learning? (How much will the use of on-line distance education increase over the next 5, 10, and 20 years)? US ‘public schools’ ‘growth trends’ ‘on-line learning’ **b. Synonyms, related terms:** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">__US__: ‘United States’ American <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">__Public education__: schools ‘K-12’ ‘public education’ ‘primary and secondary schools’ <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">__Distance education__: ‘online learning’ ‘on-line education’ ‘distance education’ ‘virtual learning’ <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">__Growth trends__: growth ‘growth rate’ ‘growth projections’ direction <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Databases:** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> **Search statements:** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ** APA Citation ** : <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: black; msoansilanguage: EN;">Cavanaugh, S. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 2007) Survey finds interest in blend of traditional and // online // courses . Education Week, Vol. 26 Issue 26, p11-11 <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">** Subject Terms ** : (two subject or descriptor terms assigned to your article)   <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Distance Learning    <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Computer-assisted instructio n
 * Name: Stuart Adams**
 * Discipline: Masters in Distance Education**
 * Preliminary Research Question: **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a. Keywords: **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ERIC
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Education Research Complete
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teacher Reference Center
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘on-line learning’ AND ‘growth trends’
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘online learning’ AND ‘growth projections’
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘online learning’ AND ‘public schools’ AND growth
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘distance education’ AND ‘public schools’ AND growth trends’
 * 5) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘virtual learning AND ‘growth trends’ AND ‘primary and secondary schools’