Turnitin.com Helps Teachers Spot Plagiarism

The Fairfax County (VA) Times (6/10, Hobbs) reported, "With modern technology, students have discovered new academic cheating schemes -- some through cellphone cameras, text messages and calculators -- but teachers in Fairfax County say they are on to them." Teachers say that "plagiarism is the most common form of cheating on major assignments." So, they use websites like Turnitin.com to catch plagiarism. "Schools that have the program ask students to submit electronic copies of their work, which is loaded into the program and checked for authenticity." When it comes to punishment for cheating offenses, "teachers say they try to handle" it "on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the severity of the case, students can receive anything from a reduced grade or zero on an assignment to suspension or expulsion from school."