The educational experience is of value to each individual as it provides the opportunity to achieve the best possible future outcomes. Of particular value in this process is academic integrity as an integral part of learning. It affects not only students but also educational providers, which makes it even more critical to study. Therefore, this essay will explore the basic concepts of academic integrity and its role in the learning process and provide a reflective account of its presence in the personal and educational experience.
First, it is necessary to gain an understanding of what academic integrity is. Thus, it implies adherence to such concepts as honest learning and not breaking the rules set before students regarding the educational experience. Poitras Pratt and Gladue pointed out that it promotes “values of fairness, honesty, respect, responsibility, and trust as essential values to student conduct” (104). Research stated that violation of academic integrity results in “students’ academic misconduct, particularly plagiarism, collusion, and contract cheating” (Morris 2). This aspect is critical not only in the field of learning but also in the entire life of individuals. This is due to the fact that cheating and breaking the rules presented to people can put many other things, such as money or personal reputation, in jeopardy. It is also worth noting that academic integrity is an aspect that one acquires and develops in the process of gaining experience and awareness of the importance of such things as honesty and responsibility. Academic integrity can include taking responsibility for one’s own actions and helping others to recognize the need to take action on one’s own.
Regarding the process of learning, academic integrity involves several concepts at once. First and foremost, it emphasizes proper preparation for the educational process that will make it a worthwhile educational experience (Taylor 1). This includes not only memorizing the necessary information but also critically analyzing it and considering it in terms of current events and getting rid of any questions. This will be effective not only for the individual but for everyone involved in the learning process because it can dispel misunderstood aspects and provide clarity.
Academic integrity becomes an area of responsibility in the classroom itself. Therefore, it implies a respectful and serious attitude toward all participants in the transmission and acquisition of knowledge. This includes not only following the rules regarding attendance and attendance. It is especially valuable for gaining awareness of areas that are difficult for students and motivation to limit data gaps in knowledge. Thus, reflecting on personal experience, we can conclude that academic integrity fosters people’s honesty and responsibility to themselves. It is worth adding that the above is reflected directly in the grades students receive. It makes it possible to have doubts about the validity of a given aspect and to challenge it with substantial evidence of a better result.
Critical to achieving the most productive results is adherence to academic accuracy during exams and writing assignments. Henceforth, the main problem is that students prefer to form themselves to cheating and use outside sources to find easy answers or those people who will do their tasks for them. This poses a threat to future development and functioning. This is due to the fact that individuals are immediately deprived of the ability to think and make decisions for themselves. Moreover, it will affect the ability to make decisions and take responsibility for their own actions.
Conducting a reflection provided a clear awareness that academic integrity involves a collaborative learning process in which individuals’ outcomes depend on the work of the whole team. This is supported by the fact that learning is a shared process in which everyone involved has value. In addition, it also means that the knowledge that students gain is the result of the work of multiple researchers and is based on evidence-based work. Therefore, academic credit is based on giving credit to previous researchers by examining their work and extracting the most value from it.
In conclusion, the concept of academic authenticity has a special value in the learning process. It is reinforced by the fact that it provides an opportunity to acquire characteristics such as responsibility, honesty, and an understanding of the importance of acquiring knowledge on one’s own. Acts such as cheating and breaking the rules of the learning process can be the result of an individual’s inferiority and unpreparedness for future experiences. This aspect applies not only to academic success but also to everyday life, in which integrity occupies one of the leading places. Thus, academic integrity applies to all phases of learning, such as preparation and direct participation in classes, exams, and writing assignments. Doing these things yourself develops responsibility for your own actions and the importance of living up to these responsibilities later on. Academic integrity also means recognizing the importance of previous contributions to science and education and giving back to them by using and learning from them to achieve personal and educational goals.
Works Cited
Morris, Erica J. “Academic Integrity Matters: Five Considerations for Addressing Contract Cheating.” International Journal for Educational Integrity, vol. 14, no. 1, 2018, pp. 1-12.
Poitras Pratt, Yvonne, and Keeta Gladue. ‘Re-Defining Academic Integrity: Embracing Indigenous Truths.” Academic Integrity in Canada. Springer, 2022.
Taylor, Bill. “Academic Integrity: A Letter to my Students.” OaktonCommunity College, 2004.