I am a Social Studies teacher for grades 7-12, and I have always had a research project done by all of my classes during both semesters. I am trying to encourage my students to use technology as much as possible in their presentations. The problem that I am encountering is that more and more of my students are copying and pasting from websites for their papers and presentations. What are teachers doing out there to combat this common problem? What are some rubrics that teachers are using to grade these projects that include technology? Any and all advice and assistance is greatly appreciated.

Tags: &, Copy, Pasting, Plagiarism, Project, Projects, Research, Rubrics

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Change the assignment so that the students can't copy and paste. Have them become the character - make a trading card or create facebook page for the historical figure, have them create a digital story using visuals and less words to convey meaning, create a game using the facts. If you need a research paper, come up with more analytical questions or hypothesis, or have them compare history to today. Just a few ideas.
Thanks for the help.
The best advice I've even been given is to give them projects they can't plagiarize (agree with Lori). Right now I'm in love with Neil Stephenson's Cigar Box Project--a perfect example!!
Here's a document I use for students when they research online. > http://is.gd/tV4d < Students open the document in Word and have it open in the background as they surf the net. When they find info online, they fill in the Word document and turn it in to me for a grade as part of their final research project.As you can see, I let students cut & paste, but only if they've included the URL..... then the trick is, they are required to paraphrase each text block they copy, and I must see both the original cut/paste AND their paraphrased version. They do this in the prewriting stage. It gives them the ability to use the cut & paste they love so much, but it requires them to paraphrase. This way, I see their source with original wording. (They also need to be reminded to save a new version of the Word Document for each source, and keep them in a folder together.)
Sharon, Good way to give the kids some accountability.
Do you want to see the paraphrased version or the actual copy and paste (cited) in the paper, or do you leave it up to the student? I like the worksheet, and the idea though.
I want to see both! Seeing the transition from original text to paraphrased text is the only way I can assess whether the student is effectively able to put the text in his or her own words. It makes them take the effort and time to think about what they're reading as well as compose their own retelling.
Hey Richard, for websites and research I only allow students to cite those that end in org or edu. This way I know they are academically credible. Second, I have only allowed students to use 1 to 2 websites for sources. For example, If I require 10 sources, then only two can be websites and the others have to be from other venues. I have also had students do literature reviews for all of their sources.

I know I have a rubric and hand out somewhere. I will find it and get it to you! Hope this helps!

Andy
http://iteach20.blogspot.com
Andy, there are tons of commercial sites ending in org these days.
I will second Nancy's post, .org is infested with non-credible sources. Same for .edu while certainly a "cleaner" source that is not the ultimate say so in a sources credibility.
Then there is the New York Times, Barrons and National Geographic--they are all DOT COMS. Can't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Not trying to pile on but you're disallowing some excellent sites if you disallow .coms.

Also, I simply do not understand the reasoning behind limiting online sources. I did all of my research for every paper I wrote in college 100% online. Never once was I told "you know, this paper sure seems to be based on faulty research."

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