Hoping your big sister will help you out with your latest assignment? If you’re studying online with Coursera, you’d better not let her do the typing, the Guardian advises. Special software that recognises students’ typing speeds and rhythms is used to verify identity, preventing somebody else from taking an assessment on their behalf.
If students want a verified certificate for their online course, they can pay a fee of $30-90 (approximately £17-54) for the Signature Track service. They will be asked to submit a webcam photo and identification card to check their identity.
Cheating isn’t a new problem for universities, but the growth in online courses – particularly massive open online courses (Moocs) – has forced academics to search for new ways to ensure honesty and protect academic integrity.
The causes of plagiarism are the same, regardless of where or how students are learning. Stress, tiredness and pressure to perform are all common factors.
Read more [1]