Submissions:2016/Why Plagiarism Matters

Title

Why Plagiarism Matters

Theme

Education

Academic Peer Review option

N

Type of submission

Presentation

Author

Jon Beasley-Murray

E-mail address

jbmurray@gmail.com

Username

Jbmurray

Affiliation

University of British Columbia

Abstract

Plagiarism is endemic to Wikipedia, which is one of the reasons why academics and educators are wary of encouraging students to use the encyclopedia. But plagiarism is also one of the most common faults that long-term editors find in student contributions to Wikipedia, which is why they, in turn, are wary of educational projects. The irony then is that one of the issues that drives Wikipedia and Education apart is also one of the issues that each "side" cares most about: Wikipedians and Educators alike try to take a stand against plagiarism, but see the other as the enemy in this fight. This presentation then is an invitation to think more about the issue, and how it can instead help bring together Wikipedia and Education, rather than drive them apart. It addresses Wikipedia's own, sometimes confused, definitions of and stance on copying text, which is too often confused with simple copyright violation. It also asks why (apparently) the temptation for students (but others, also) to plagiarize might be greater when they write on Wikipedia rather than elsewhere, which has much to do with the encyclopedia's sanctions against "original research." And the presentation concludes with some ideas about how better to think about plagiarism, and why it matters.

Length of presentation

20-30 minutes

Special schedule requests

None

Preferred room size

25 is fine

Will you attend WikiConference North America if your submission is not accepted?

Yes

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