Using ePortfolios to combat plagiarism

Abstract

Plagiarism is a growing issue of concern for the academic and wider community. Much is made of plagiarism detection software but it is widely held that detection software cannot be the only, nor even the principle preventative measure. ePortfolios are growing in popularity in universities and professional organisations where ePortfolio presentations allow users to present collections of evidence that support a particular intent; from job application to professional accreditation. Within well designed assessment, eportfolios can be used to present the outcomes of learning as well as the process by which that learning arose: the plans, draft notes, feedback comments, peer reviews, sketches and research blog. Some systems allow these learning artefacts to be presented as links from a narrative account; an example of meta-reflection, organising the individual items into a story of learning. This paper principally concerns a work in progress where eportfolio developers are working alongside academic colleagues to align plagiarism-suppressing eportfolio approaches with plagiarism detecting services to militate against cheating and improve learning.