July 13, 2015 4:00pm by David Farrar

A good initiative from Auckland University

Auckland University has introduced a compulsory course to clear up the often murky guidelines around academic dishonesty.

The university’s online academic integrity course was made compulsory for all students this year, making Auckland the only tertiary institution in New Zealand where such a test is mandatory.

Students who do not complete the test face having their enrolment “discontinued”, according to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) John Morrow.

Morrow said the course was not an attempt to reduce cheating at the university.

“It’s not about dishonesty as such, it’s about students learning how they can use printed and published resources in an effective way in their own work,” he said.

He admitted it did have the “advantage that if students do behave dishonestly, it’s difficult for them to claim it’s on the basis of ignorance”.

The online world allows this to be done easily. It’s a very good idea.

A two hour course and test is not a lot of time, over a three or longer year degree.