Academic integrity is taken very seriously while you are completing your online coursework. Students with academic integrity make decisions based on values that will prepare them to be productive and ethical citizens.
It is expected that all work submitted represents the original efforts of the individual student. All work submitted by a student should be a true reflection of his or her own effort and ability. Plagiarism is the representation of the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic work. Academic dishonesty includes:
Misrepresenting one’s knowledge through acts of cheating.
Using words, ideas, or work products attributable to another person or source without attributing those elements to the source.
Obtaining information about assessment questions (including quizzes and exams) before completing the assessments.
Submitting blank assignments purposefully to gain additional time for completion.
Using unauthorized notes or outside materials during quizzes and exams.
Turning in previously submitted work in response to projects or writing assignments, including those created by the student in other classes or previous attempts at the same course.
Mechanicsburg Area School District CAOLA will follow the policy on plagiarism as outlined below:
Academic Integrity Matrix
First Incident
The online instructor contacts the distance learning coordinator
The student will receive a zero and be allowed to redo the assignment
The online instructor will award an appropriate grade based on their grading policy
Second Incident
The online instructor contacts the distance learning coordinator and the parent/guardian
The student receives a zero on the assignment and does not have an option for resubmission
Third Incident
The online instructor contacts the distance learning coordinator and the parent/guardian
The distance learning coordinator contacts the administration
The student received a zero grade on the assignments and does not have an option for resubmission
Fourth Incident
The online instructor contacts the distance learning coordinator and the parent/guardian
A meeting is held with the administration and the distance learning coordinator to decide the outcome
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
While AI is a useful tool for learning, it is never acceptable to complete an assignment from beginning to end by putting a prompt into an AI tool, copying and pasting the assignment into an online course, and claiming the work as one's own.
If an online instructor suspects that a student is asking AI to complete assignments, the instructor will reach out to the student to inititate a conversation and allow the opportunity to redo the assignments. Should the misuse of AI continue, the administration will become involved and appropriate consequences will be determined.
Here are some acceptable uses of AI:
Ask to find materials to compelte a project
Ask to explain a concept in an easier way
Ask to correct grammatical errors in an original piece of writing