Students are often at odds with instructors on matters of academic integrity. In the world outside of academia, knowledge and skills are often acquired and transmitted without attribution or citation, so it is not surprising that the complexities of academic integrity, plagiarism, and fair use are outside of their lived experience. Active engagement in reflection on and discussion of your expectations for academic integrity are essential to helping students develop a commitment to the values of academic integrity, but many instructors may be unsure of where to begin.  

Consider the prompts below as potential places to begin discussing integrity with your students. Some are general prompts that would be good at the start of the term. Others are more specific, and could be used effectively in conjunction with relevant assignments. You may choose to use a virtual discussion format (Canvas Discussion tool), or face-to-face discussions. Consider breaking students into groups of four or five to help generate true back-and-forth discussion.

What values would you like to see embedded in this course? #

• This question begins with listening and student input. Distribute sticky notes or note cards to the class. Ask students to label the notes with 10 important values they’d like to see embedded in the class. Then, allow students to work in groups to sort the values into different categories of values. As each group to rank the categories, and their top 3 categories on the board.  Then discuss what behaviors align with each category. This can lead to a broader discussion of the use of GAI tools.

What does academic integrity mean to you personally? #

• Consider your own values and beliefs about honesty, trust, and ethical behavior in academic settings. How do you define academic integrity?

Why is academic integrity important in your academic career? #

• Reflect on the impact of academic integrity on your learning experience, reputation, and future opportunities.
• How does maintaining integrity contribute to your personal growth and development?
• How does behaving without integrity contribute to these?

How do you approach collaboration and group work while maintaining integrity? #

• Discuss your understanding of collaboration boundaries. When is it appropriate to work together, and when should you work independently?
• Share examples of successful collaboration without compromising integrity.
• How do you feel when one of the members of a working group doesn’t pull their weight?

What role does research play in academia, and how does it relate to integrity? #

• Explore the significance of citing sources and acknowledging the work of others.
• How do you feel when you don’t get credit for work that you’ve done? Why?
• How does research contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the credibility of academic work?

How can you avoid unintentional plagiarism? #

• Discuss strategies for proper citation, paraphrasing, and avoiding accidental plagiarism.
• What steps can you take to ensure your work is original and that you don’t “lose sight” of proper attribution of the ideas of others that you have incorporated into your work?

What challenges might arise in maintaining academic integrity in the digital age? #

• Consider the impact of technology, online resources, generative artificial intelligence, and social media on academic honesty.
• How can you navigate these challenges while upholding integrity?

How does cultural background influence perceptions of academic integrity? #

• Explore cultural norms and expectations related to honesty and ethics.
• Share insights from your own cultural context and experiences.

What are the consequences of academic dishonesty? #

• Discuss real-world examples and the potential impact on your academic and professional future.
• How can integrity enhance your credibility and reputation?

Is Cheating a victimless crime? #

• In the 2017 and 2018 baseball seasons, the Houston Astros engaged in a complex scheme of sign stealing. Watchers of a video camera system interpreted the signs given by the catcher to the pitcher, then made audible signals to the batter to alert him of what pitch was to come. Baseball fans were incensed by this cheating behavior, and members of the team are still routinely booed when they take the field or step up to the plate. 
• Many students think that cheating and plagiarism are victimless crimes. With reference to the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, explain how the cheating of others might affect you.

How can you promote a culture of integrity within your academic community? #

• Brainstorm ways to encourage honesty, trust, and ethical behavior among peers.
• What initiatives or actions can you take to foster a positive academic environment?

What steps will you take to uphold academic integrity throughout your college journey? #

• Set personal goals and commit to maintaining integrity in all aspects of your academic life.
• How will you hold yourself accountable and inspire others to do the same?

Acknowledgement #

These questions were generated in conjunction with Microsoft Copilot.

References and Resources: #

Bowen, J. A., & Watson, C. E. (2024). Teaching with AI: A practical guide to a new era of human learning. Johns Hopkins University Press

International Center for Academic Integrity [ICAI]. (2021). The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity. (3rd ed.).