This post was previously published on eCampustours.com. The information provided is subject to change over time.
Honesty and integrity are important traits to have in your academic and professional life. In school, good student-teacher relationships come from mutual respect and trust, and those relationships can lead to great references and recommendations.
In the real world, employers are more likely to hire someone who has a reputation for being honest. Failing to adhere to your school’s honor code can negatively impact your chances of gaining admission to your top college choice and can even affect your chances of obtaining employment at your dream job.
Learn how to implement honesty and integrity in the classroom in order to be the best student and person you can be.
How to Show Integrity in the Classroom
Gain a reputation for being honest by showing integrity in the classroom. Here are ways to put your honesty into action:
- Learn your school’s honor code and adhere to it. Most academic institutions post their integrity statement at a central page on their website.
- Ask your teacher/professor to explain honesty policies specific to his or her classroom. Specific policies are usually found in the course syllabus, but make sure to ask questions if you need clarification.
- Prepare thoroughly for assignments and exams so you are not tempted to cheat.
- Do not let other students copy from your exams and do not lend any papers or assignments that you have completed to other students.
- Report incidents of academic dishonesty to your teacher or professor.
Common Examples of Academic Dishonesty
Be sure to avoid committing these common examples of academic dishonesty:
Cheating
The use of unauthorized materials, information, or notes in an academic exercise. Examples of cheating may include: using cheat sheets, copying material from other students, collaborating with other students without consent from the instructor, submitting the same academic work more than once without prior authorization from the instructor, using an unauthorized calculator on a math test, etc.
Plagiarism
The reproduction of ideas, words, or statements of another person without acknowledgment. Examples of plagiarism can include: submitting a paper written by another student, purchasing and submitting a paper from an online source, failing to cite sources in a paper, etc.
Fabrication
The invention of information, data, or citation in an academic exercise. Examples of fabrication in academics may include: making up sources for a paper bibliography, faking the results of a lab assignment, etc.
Deception
The act of providing false information to an instructor regarding an academic exercise. Examples of deception in academics can include: giving a false excuse for missing a test, pretending to have previously submitted assignments, etc.
Complicity
The act of helping another student commit academic dishonesty. Examples of complicity may include: allowing another student to copy exams, papers, or assignments, taking a test for another student, distributing test questions before the scheduled test, etc.
Conclusion
Not only can you face consequences from your school for committing academic dishonesty, but depending on your school’s policy, the offense could stay on your academic record or transcripts for several years after graduation or possibly even permanently. Don’t take the risk!
