-Chaitali Moitra, Regional Director of South Asia at Turnitin

The spectrum of online learning in India is widening rapidly as disruption to education opens up new possibilities and the sector attracts significant investment from government and business to support learners and meet emerging workforce needs.  It also presents an array of benefits such as increased understanding of technical concepts through virtual learning models and flexible time management. However, the growing adoption of online learning was not without its fair share of scepticism, particularly on whether it can live up to its potential as set out by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Among the toughest challenges faced by the online and hybrid education approach is determining the authenticity of student work, grading methods and learning outcomes in a dynamic environment. In this regard, the role of academic integrity as an ethics code to safeguard quality education by reducing unethical practices such as contract cheating and plagiarism is of paramount importance for educators.

A much-needed uplift with academic integrity

When students are under-prepared for examinations or face immense pressure to achieve high grades, some can resort to shortcuts to pass their exams, which results in inaccurate learning outcomes. With every student’s learning requirement being unique, it is crucial to work towards creating a meaningful and scaffolded learning framework, empowered by a culture of academic integrity. In time, India’s education system may also be in a position to offer more personalised learning as it integrates AI technologies.

The following components are key to promoting this culture and equipping students with the skills and confidence to produce original work to put them on the path of academic progress and successful professional careers. Further, they can help educator’s bridge essential learning gaps thereby anticipating potential acts of misconduct, and support more effective and meaningful grading through  the provision of high-quality feedback.

Developing an institution-wide policy or code

An effective way to embed academic integrity deep within an institution’s culture is by outlining a shared definition of what it entails and how it impacts learners, and implement it as a policy or an honour code. Promoting it in the online or physical classroom and across the larger institution on an ongoing basis will ensure consistency of the message, which will gradually trigger a shift in student attitudes to the viability of cheating and to take ownership of their own learning.   

Educators and administrators should articulate clear steps for students, to drive home the message that the integrity demonstrated by them while learning and producing work creates a solid benchmark of values and ethics towards their future professional lives. It not only amplifies personal success but also encourages them to act responsibly and ethically in society. A shared and applied understanding of the importance of academic integrity reduces the prevalence of dishonesty and plagiarism.

A student-centric approach backed by best-in-class analytical tools

Since students are at the heart of every academic integrity practice, it is important to consider their inputs and involve them when formulating an approach for honest learning. As they witness the practical implementation of an honour code in the learning process and actively contribute to purposeful conversations about academic integrity, they are more likely to personally identify with its significance in their lives, in the short and long term.

Integrity is not just about educating and encouraging students to curb dishonesty in their own approach to learning, examinations and assessments. It is also about nurturing a robust environment of trust, respect and equity amongst their peers and the community. It is values-driven and can be reinforced by effective tools that empower students to do their best, original work.

Learning institutions must leverage best-in-class technology in the early stages of a student’s academic journey. This will help educators check for acts of misconduct such as text similarities, wilful manipulation of text and detect signs of contract cheating right from the outset, which makes cultivating academic integrity more effective. Moreover, it will also help in creating a transparent and fair learning landscape.

Inclusive assessment design

Conducting assessments in an online learning environment is more complex compared to traditional assessment methodologies. With limited opportunities for face-to-face interaction, it can become more challenging to identify students who are unprepared for assessments and may resort to prohibited materials or practices, which invalidate learning outcomes. It is important to assess pitfalls in the online assessment system and try to understand why they are not adequately supporting learners. Assessments should be created with the intent of gauging students’ higher-order thinking, through responsive and effective evaluation methods that allow for fair opportunities to demonstrate learning. One example of an assessment format that authenticates learning is a reflective task that asks students to explain their thought processes.

Assessment backed by time-control tools such as browser lockdowns and test trackers, combined with expert grading software, allows teachers to track insightful response patterns. Advanced tools like these also make it easier to create multiple versions of test questions, reducing the possibility of student collusion. By harnessing these tools, educators can better ensure that no student has an unfair advantage or is left behind in a remote learning setting. Therefore, inclusive assessment design and flexible delivery formats are crucial to enhancing educator effectiveness and student learning outcomes.

Charting the course for an agile learning system

Dedication to implementing academic integrity practices has the potential to redefine education standards in India. Committed, proactive and collaborative conversations between students and educators significantly reduce the possibility of students cheating in the short term and long term, leading to a trusted and value-based learning environment. As educators and universities stride towards greater implementation of online learning structures, it is an opportune time to foster a culture of academic integrity that transforms students’ learning experience, improves teaching methods and enhances the overall quality of education.

Also read: Academic integrity is the need of the hour: Turnitin