Now, Innovation 4 Learning at the University of Derby has introduced PLATO (PLATO (Plagiarism Teaching Online), an e-learning resource that concerns itself with plagiarism prevention as opposed to detection.

PLATO develops practical skills in referencing and promotes reflection on the attitudes, behaviours and situations which may lead to plagiarism. It is unique in its focus on active prevention rather than deterrence and complements the institutional use of detection software such as Turnitin.

No assumptions are made about prior knowledge and learners are given a common grounding in basic principles regardless of discipline studied, previous background or educational level. It deals with basic definitions, problem situations and the consequences of plagiarism in student, professional and public life. It also develops skills in basic referencing through onscreen practice and feedback.

“For anyone under pressure to deliver a business report or academic assignment with a looming deadline, or who feels they cannot express themselves in writing as effectively as the book or website they have just read, the temptation to cheat can be very great. The ease by which you can copy and paste someone else’s words into the assimilation of your own, without referencing the source you have used, simply increases the motivation to plagiarise. This can particularly be a problem for students who come from diverse educational cultures where the repetition of the words and ideas from a single tutor are expected,” suggests Chris Martindale, one of the originators of PLATO, and Faculty Support Team Manager for Business, Computing and Law at the University of Derby.

Plagiarism is not always deliberate. On many occasions, students lack the subtle understanding of what differentiates plagiarism from the proper use of resources.

“Sometimes plagiarism is the result of a genuine misunderstanding that good academic writing should always involve an idea or the direct quotation of words from a text. Against this background educational organisations and Higher Education institutions in particular have a clear responsibility to ensure that new students have the support and resources they need to develop a thorough understanding of what plagiarism is, and the process involved in referencing their sources,” explains Martindale.

To ensure that students clearly understand the crucial distinction between acceptable and unacceptable use of outside sources, PLATO makes extensive use of animations, interactive exercises and video clips.

PLATO is currently being used by around 25 universities and Further Education colleges in the UK.

PLATO is an institutional resource that is being used in universities as:

• part of an induction activity
• a pre-assessment activity
• a preparatory activity for classroom discussion on plagiarism
• a remedial activity following assessment
• a required activity following an incident of plagiarism.

The resource is relevant to Middle East education markets that often serve as a nexus for international students who may need to be instructed in the proper use of academic resources.

PLATO is not a subscription service, but a product that may be acquired for a one-off fee. It can be hosted on university Intranets as well as commonly used Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), and is also suitable for use as an individual self-study package.