Original Writing in a Remix Culture

Abstract

A new era of educational instruction was ushered in with the advent of 2020. Students, educators, and administrators had to rethink content delivery during a global pandemic. The move to online instruction introduced challenges, among which is the challenge of promoting original writing in the digital age. Technology has contributed to a remix culture that encourages patchwork assemblage of existing works and ideas. Accustomed to having information available at their fingertips, learners often have little conception of the origins or ownership of the information. With increasing shifts to remote education, instruction must evolve to clearly define what constitutes original writing and academic integrity. This chapter explores plagiarism, academic dishonesty, and the influence of technology across the differentiated remote settings of K-12 and higher education. Strategies for addressing academic dishonesty and fostering integrity are explored from the perspectives of students, educators, curriculum developers, and administrators.