What is Academic Integrity ?

Academic is used to describe things that relate to the work done in schools, colleges, and
universities, especially work which involves studying and reasoning rather than practical or
technical skills.

Integrity:

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that

you refuse to change:

adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character;

honesty.

Definition of Academic Integrety:

Researchers from around the world most often cite the ICAI’s definition of
academic integrity:

The International Center for Academic Integrity defines academic integrity as a

commitment, even in the face of adversity, to six fundamental values: honesty,
trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage. From these values flow
principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals to
action.

(ICAI, 2013)

why should we be academically ethic? (its importance)

ethics are well founded standards that make the actions right and wrong. it helps
categorize different values such as integrity discipline and honesty among others
and apply them in daily lives. ethics influences behavior and allows an individual
to make the right choices. without ethics it will be very difficult to regulate life and
act responsibly. while the importance of ethics can't be ignored in any walk of life
it's imperative that they are practiced in the field of education.  ethics in
education are essential as they help run the system smoothly. it sets the standards
of what's acceptable and what's not hence protecting the interests of both the
educators and the learners.

ethics in education that are applicable on teachers require them to show patience

to every student despite their learning abilities. they should treat every student
equally and do justice while taking an action. it's important that an instructor
understands that every student is different and shouldn't be evaluated on the same
basis. ethics in education doesn't allow teachers to hold grudges and to
intentionally treat students unfairly. at the same time ethics in education requires a
student to respect the instructor and abide by the rules set by them. students should
acquire academic integrity and responsibility as well as practice self-discipline.  
ethics in education helps regulate the education system and ensures that this
practice positively contributes towards human welfare.

How to be academically ethic:

To students:

b) Respect
Respect could be defined as « a feeling or understanding that someone or
something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way. ».
Being respectful towards people is a key aspect in life in order to form and maintain
positive relationships in order to become successful. If you treat them with kindness,
they will be kind back. One way to show respect towards other people to treat others
the way you would want to be treated.
c) Open-mindedness
Being open-minded means you have a willingness to listen to other ideas and
opinions and consider the possibility that you are wrong or may change your own
perspective.
Open-mindedness can advance mutual understanding, which accommodates the
ideal of students working constructively and cohesively toward achieving common
goals, despite intense disagreement.
d) Discipline
The word “Discipline” comes from the word “Disciple” meaning a learner. Discipline
means tearing to obey certain rules. Without it, there will be complete chaos and
disorder everywhere in our society. There are some rules that control our activities. If
we do not respect these rules, our life will be like a boat without the boatman.
The ability for an individual to have self-restraint allows them to behave in a
consistently stringent and controlled manner. A lack of this ability can have
disastrous results. Do you think a company is going to tolerate a person who is
consistently late to work or who procrastinates in doing their work ? It is evident how
these behaviors will weaken the image of a business.
e) Tolerance
Tolerance can be seen as the willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that
are different from your own. Tolerance means how to see the world from the
perspective of others, not just your perspective.
Tolerance plays an important role in our everyday life in our society. Never before
have we had so many opportunities to connect and communicate with different
cultures and languages.
Our society has become increasingly multicultural, enriched by the aspirations of
migrants, transnationals, displaced peoples,… Tensions arising from religious,
cultural and linguistic difference are increasing, but tolerance an effective and
sustainable way of ensuring our young people understand diversity and that’s why
this value is so present in codes of ethical student conduct.
f) Team spirit
Team spirit can be defined as when the members of a group want the team to
succeed. Team spirit improves the ability of individuals to work together and boosts
morale.
In an academic context, this is an opportunity to make friends and talk with others.
Each student can benefit on a personal level from teamwork. A team of students
must actively listen to each other, articulate ideas and use genuinely constructive
criticism to be effective.
g) Sense of responsibility
Responsibility is one of the traits of our character which means that a person is able
to respond for his actions, is able to take some duties and to face certain
consequences of the actions that may occur.
People are not born with a sens of responsibility, it is something every person should
cultivate in themselves, it should become a part of one’s personality. Responsible
people can be trusted, and this benefits both the person and the people counting on
the responsible person.

Ethics of teachers:
The professional educator deals considerately and justly with each student, and
seeks to resolve problems, including discipline, according to law and school policy.

2. The professional educator does not intentionally expose the student to

disparagement.

3. The professional educator does not reveal confidential information concerning

students, unless required by law.

4. The professional educator makes a constructive effort to protect the student from
conditions detrimental to learning, health, or safety.

5. The professional educator endeavors to present facts without distortion, bias, or

personal prejudice.

Plagiarism
According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, to "plagiarize"
means:
 to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
 to use (another's production) without crediting the source
 to commit literary theft
 to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's
work and lying about it afterw