I like your positive-constructive terms very much Janette, and your suggestions Liz, which make good sense. Is 'Academic Integrity' too broad? I like broader terms that can holistically encompass the notions of enquiry and thinking behind the reading and the writing. I've used the title 'Originality and Plagiarism: standing on the shoulders of giants', but may consider a variation without the P word another time! I've always begun by interrogating poor practice, but gratifyingly found that participants have a great appetite for good practice. This could be a slightly negative approach, but it has seemed to have the effect of people making their own journey in the session through the ‘dark matter’ to the light!
Eloïse
Eloïse Sentito | Learning Development | Learning Support & Wellbeing
Room 102, 3 Endsleigh Place | Plymouth University | Drake Circus | Plymouth | PL4 8AA
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-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Austin, Elizabeth M
Sent: 01 August 2013 14:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Better name for plagiarism prevention
Hi Janette
I agree with you that the word 'plagiarism' in a workshop title is very unfortunate. As you point out, the whole focus then seems to be on 'what not to do' i.e. all about warnings and finger-wagging. So when asked by Departments here to run 'plagiarism' workshops, I get them to agree to a half day session on 'Ethical and effective use of sources'. We look at the whole complex issue of what 'reading to write' is about in relation to academic assignments. An explanation of 'plagiarism' is slotted in to the middle of the session, so that we can avoid either start or finishing with it.
Best
Liz Austin
University Skills Centre
Essex university
-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Janette Myers
Sent: 01 August 2013 09:45
Subject: Better name for plagiarism prevention
Dear All
I've been giving this some thought as I'm revamping our materials, and have trawled what happens in other universities. I was hoping that you could give me your opinion on what I've come up with. I'm concerned that in trying not to use negative terms and trying to convey that it's a tiny part of academic writing I'm in danger of not being clear to students what the material is about. So I thought Writing with Integrity as an overall title that I educate people into and plagiarism awareness as a neutral term to make sure everyone knows what I'm talking about.
What do you think? Please point out any unintended consequences T
Thanks Janette