Independent versus Collaborative Assignments
Learning to work on your own (independently), and with others (collaboratively) are both important lifelong skills. In general, school assignments will be directed to either develop your individual working skills (independent) or your ability to work in a group (collaboratively). Teachers design assignments, projects and learning opportunities so that you have a rich experience in reaching your Essential Student Learning Outcomes. If you cheat, you are robbing yourself of the chance to learn and truly understand. To use outside help or materials not allowed in an individual assignment or test is cheating. IF you are unclear about whether an assignment is an individual or a group assignment, it is your responsibility to ask your teacher.
Examples of Cheating
- turning in someone else’s work as your own
- turning in work that was finished by someone else
- copying someone’s work (with or without permission)
- allowing someone to copy your work
- passing notes or getting information from another student during a test or quiz
- passing notes or giving information to another student during a test or quiz
- getting information from another student who has already written a test or quiz
- not giving credit (referencing) to a source of information
- cutting and pasting directly from the internet
Cheating is a serious offense and parents are always contacted. You will not be given credit towards reaching an Essential Student Learning Outcome if you are caught cheating. Your teacher will work with you to determine how to make amends and what the full consequences could be. Consequences can range from detention, to re-doing a test/quiz, all the way to suspension or expulsion in serious cases.