Course and assignment design – Academic Integrity

There are a number of simple ways that instructors can help to prevent academic offences through assignment design, including:

Avoid re-using the same essay topics and/or test and exam questions.
Design assignments that require original input from students.
Assign outlines, drafts, and/or annotated bibliographies so that the various stages of students’ work can be seen as it progresses.
Set clear policies on submission of assignments, late penalties, and extensions. State the conditions under which an extension would or would not normally be granted.
Be sure to hand back assignments in a secure manner (e.g. do not leave boxes of papers outside office doors).
Design assignments that have multiple pieces, requiring students to build upon each toward a final project and to show their work-in-progress. Focusing on process helps to deter plagiarism. For example, instructors may first request an essay proposal, then an annotated bibliography or an oral presentation on the thesis/focus of the paper or on initial findings, and a final paper. This allows students to receive feedback as they move through the assignment and allows instructors to confirm the originality of the work.
Be very clear whether and how collaboration is permitted, set clear rules and expectations regarding group assignments, take home work and online assignments.