Avoiding Plagiarism When Studying in Online Colleges

Distance learning requires students to have the accessibility of the internet. Not only that, it also requires the student to have conducive environments as well. Instructions and activities are then given through different methods, as long as it involves the internet. Some of these activities if not most of them, requires students to write reports or essays that will gauge the students' learning in class.

The problem with this scenario is that studying in accredited online colleges tend to be prone with plagiarism. As we all know, plagiarism is the wrongful application and copying of the work of others without prior permission. It is a very serious crime, and if students are oblivious of it, their ignorance would not excuse them of the consequences of such acts. Consequences include suspensions, failing grades, and expulsions.

It is important for students to know the basics of referencing, and avoid the common errors involved in plagiarism.

First of all, when writing reports or essays, clarify first with your instructor if it would need citations or referencing. If your activities require such, then feel free from referencing prior works of others. If not, then do not force your report or essay to have citations of some kind.

When writing references or citations, it is very important for you to give credit. Always remember that if it did not come from you, then you should acknowledge the one who did it. May it be a phrase, a string of knowledge that cannot be translated in simple words, or a body of thought, it is almost always important to cite the author or source of such knowledge. Don't think that accredited online colleges don't check these kind of things; they are always mindful of this.

The most important technique in avoiding plagiarism is to write it in your own words. If you are not quoting a source of some kind, but you want to express an idea not original or something that has been published, you should still cite it as your source.

Always be mindful that accredited online colleges take plagiarism as a very serious offense, and should be avoided at all times.