Collaboration vs plagiarism in computer science programming courses

Abstract

In some circles, all programming is collaborative, yet in many CS1 and CS2 courses, individual programming assignments are made, collaboration with other students is cheating, and tailoring a program found on the web is plagiarism. Many educators feel that collaboration belongs only in a very few upper division courses. Othexs have experience to show that early collaboration broadens the learning of students, to become more effective professional individuals. Most conclude that a blend of the two styles is best for students, and can reduce cheating/plagiarism. Does collaboration belong in programming classes? Where does collaboration end and cheating/plagiarism begin? What are the advantages, problems and techniques of allowing collaboration on programming assignments in CS1 and CS27 The moderator created six discussion questions. Each member of the panel has chosen the position they can strongly support from experience. This panel will discuss these questions in detail among the panelists and audience.

Activity Surveillance and Hawthorne Effect to Prevent Programming Plagiarism

“…Not only depending on the surveillance system, it is important for instructor to keep varying the course to keep it from getting stale. Such changes might involve instructor's approach in presenting material and collaborating with other students (Spinellis et al, 2007;Stewart-Gardiner et al, 2001). The new and innovative method in marking students' assignment would probably change and improve student's learning style and behavior to spend enough time to develop the program.…”

“…The widespread plagiarism scenario faced by instructors' at all educational levels is due to two reasons: Increasing facilities that students have for accessing to on-line resources and the huge number of work, project or report-based assessment of courses that need to be evaluated by instructors. Stewart-Gardiner et al (2001) raise interesting issues regarding collaboration and plagiarism. These include the breaking point between collaboration and plagiarism.…”