Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

Abstract

The presence of online distance Education in higher Education presents a challenge in maintaining academic integrity and preventing academic dishonesty. While academic dishonesty has been a continuing issue in face-to-face courses in higher Education, the advent and abundance of online distance Education provides an opportunity to increase exponentially the occurrence of academic dishonesty. Faculty members and staff (n = 25) have implemented various methods of preventative course design and administrative policies in order to minimize academic dishonesty, but students still commit academic dishonesty taking advantage of new technologies and methods. This research discovered the technology arms race is on for faculty and staff needing to enhance their effective use of technology as a means to maintain the academic integrity of the institution. The data analysis provided many findings and provided answers to many of the research questions. The findings supported the research questions: • Students demonstrated knowledge of what acts were considered academic dishonesty. • Integration of technology in todays society may be a factor academic dishonesty. • The age group demographic provided insight into the digital divide • Introductory course respondents showed larger amounts of academic dishonesty including the use of technology. • Many faculty use lock down browsers although some students have already found a technology method to circumvent. Students (n = 46) are using technology to commit academic dishonesty and adopting advances in technology to cheat in new ways. Students continue to use new and old technologies in an effort to develop new methods of committing academic dishonesty, while members of the faculty, staff, and administration are not able to adapt to technology and the undesirable use of the of technology as quickly as students. Technology has become an integral factor in the ongoing conflict over academic dishonesty between the students, members of the faculty, and at Educational institutions.

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