I didn't know it was cheating


For Instructors
  • Incorporate definitions of and expectations regarding integrity/cheating into your syllabus and/or course site.

  • Develop quizzes about what is, and isn’t, cheating, about how and why to follow integrity guidelines.

  • Talk with students about difficulty as a normal learning experience. 

  • Assignment transparency: explicitly state what is, and is not, allowed.

    • Resource: Draw on principles for creating Transparent Assignments to clarify purpose and process - the what, why, and how of scaffolded/sequenced assignments).

  • Create an online module: plagiarism primer.

    • Resource: UMN instructors can incorporate the ULibraries’ created Academic Integrity Short Course into course teaching and learning activities. Visit a short guide to preview and link to the two-module + faculty guide.

For Students
  • Access university resources that are shared in orientation and individual courses. You may be required to respond to those resources and/or to complete an online module related to academic honesty and plagiarism.
  • Review all syllabus content related to academic dishonesty, cheating, and plagiarism. The syllabus sets out specific requirements regarding academic practices and citizenship, and is intended to make you aware of what is considered cheating.
  • If you are unsure, always reach out to your course instructor to ensure what is, or is not, allowed. Waiting until after the assignment has been submitted is too late.
  • Not knowing doesn’t mean it isn’t cheating. The resources are available, so saying that you didn't know only tells your instructor and university administrators that you didn’t review the available materials, which will not excuse cheating or plagiarism.