As a student, it can be overwhelming to review Academic Integrity regulations. There's a lot to think about. Are you concerned that you may be questioned about your integrity?
Watch the video Demonstrating your Integrity for a brief overview of how you can show your integrity and complete your academic work with confidence.
Want to learn more about a particular technique or suggestion in the video? Review the content below for a more in-depth look!
Problems viewing? Watch Demonstrating Your Integrity (4:36) on YouTube or read the transcript below.
Academic Integrity can seem overwhelming. Are you concerned you might be suspected of a breach of academic integrity? Worried you might forget to acknowledge a source? Develop good work habits as a strategy for ensuring that you are working with integrity. With some planning, you can complete your work confidently, efficiently, and with the ability to demonstrate your integrity.
Manage Your Time
One of the best ways to maintain academic integrity is to manage your time! Be aware of which assignments are due in each of your classes, and when. Creating a semester plan can help you visualize the weeks of the semester that will be busy. If you already know that 6 projects are due in week 7, you can work ahead, speak with your professors about managing the work, or ask your manager to give you less shifts at work that week. A semester plan sets you up for success as you juggle all of your responsibilities.
Save Versions of Your Work
Starting an assignment? Consider making a new folder, and save versions of your work. Create an outline or a first draft, and save it as a separate file. When you edit, or add-in new sources, save a new version of the file.
Track Changes
Try using the track changes feature in Microsoft Word or Google docs, which provides you with an easy way to show how your work progressed. Having multiple versions of your work will help you demonstrate your integrity to your professor, AND prevent you from losing everything if power or internet outages occur.
Log Your Research Efforts
Doing research? Consider using a word file to create a research log. Note where you searched, and what keywords you used. Within the library's databases, use the save, email and cite buttons to keep a list of resources found. Try using the search history option within Page1+ or Google to capture your research efforts as you go. Save a screenshot of your search history in your assignment folder or paste it directly into your research log. Don’t forget to save your research log in the folder for your assignment!
Colour Code Your Sources
Incorporating sources into your work? Rushing makes you more likely to lose track of sources, take shortcuts, or fail to cite properly, so start early! Try colour coding your notes to distinguish between sources, using different colours for each source, and for your own ideas. Always include full citation information for each source. Don’t use chunks of text from a source without noting exactly where they came from, including quotation marks, authors and page number. Add references as you make notes, and as you write your paper. Do not plan to go back and add them later. You may lose track or run out of time.
Be Transparent
Transparency and consistency are key for completing your assignments with integrity. Cite and reference all of the sources you’ve used. If the use of Generative A-I tools is permitted for an assignment, make sure you cite! Consider making a note of the prompts you used in your notes and drafts. This will help you recreate your work in the event of a file loss or other issue, and demonstrate how you met the assignment requirements.
Did you meet with Language Help, Research Help, the Writing Centre or a tutor? Make a note of these interactions, with the date and time and the name of the person you met. Save email feedback, a transcript of your Research Help chat, or screenshots into your assignment folder for reference. You can also show these to your professor if you need to work through an issue in your assignment.
Double Check
Ready to hand in your work? Double check to make sure you’re handing in the final copy of your work. When uploading to a Blackboard or Turnitin dropbox, make note of the confirmation number or save the submission receipt. It’s always a good idea to navigate away from the dropbox and then return to it to ensure that your file has submitted successfully. If you have concerns, contact your professor!
Need more help? Check in with the library and learning services team for more ideas!
In the videos below, learn tips and tricks for good work habits that will help you both show your academic integrity AND work more efficiently.
Watch a video on how to create a semester plan using Microsoft Word from the Learning Portal. Templates for your use are included below the video.
Problems viewing? Watch How to Create a Semester Plan (Microsoft Word) (2 mins) on YouTube or read the transcript below.
This video will explain how to create a semester plan using the semester plan template.
[The semester plan template appears. It is a table with nine columns. From left the right, the columns are labelled Week, Date Range, Course 1, Course 2, Course 3, Course 4, Course 5, Course 6, and Course 7. In the Week column, the rows are labelled 1 through 12.]
Begin by entering the date range for each week of the semester into the blank Semester Plan template. Start each week on Monday.
[Week-long date ranges are entered in to the Date Range column, that match up with the Week numbers]
Enter the name of each of your courses into the boxes across the top of the table. Make each course a different colour so that it is easier to identify. If you have created a weekly schedule, you may want to choose to use the same course colours on your semester plan.
[The column labels Course 1 through 7 are changed to say the following course names: math, law, computers, communications, economics, and skills for success.]
Using the official Course Section Information (CSI) or schedule of due dates provided by your professor for each of your classes, enter test dates, assignment deadlines, and any other key date in the column for that course. Include the following information:
You can also add the specific due date for the assignment if you have it or it’s different from the normal class date.
Now you have a visual Semester Plan with all of the key dates for your courses on one page.
Highlight important assignments and your busiest weeks so that they stand out.
Update your semester plan as the semester progresses. Pay attention to any changes made to due dates and be sure to change your semester plan accordingly. Cross items off of the plan as they are completed.
Put your Semester Plan somewhere where you will look at it frequently. Review this plan regularly and deadlines will never catch you by surprise.
Congratulations, you now know how to create a semester plan using the template in Word. Thanks for watching!
Watch a video on how to create a weekly plan using Microsoft Word from the Learning Portal. Templates for your use are included below the video.
Problems viewing? Watch How to Create a Weekly Schedule Using Google Calendar (1:30 mins) on YouTube or read the transcript below.
This video will explain how to create a weekly schedule.
Begin by finding a weekly schedule template that works for you. You can use the template below, or use calendars on programs such as Outlook or Google Calendar.
[A Weekly Schedule is shown in a Word document. Text reads “Weekly Schedule, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday” and “Time 5:30 – 4:30”]
Start by adding your classes.
[The schedule is populated with classes as follows: “Monday: Linux 11:00-12:00, Windows OS 1 12:00 – 2:00, Tuesday: Achieving Success 9:00 – 11:00, Math 11:00 – 12:00, Communications 12:30 – 2:00. Wednesday: Linux 8:00 - 10:00, Networking 12:00 – 2:00, Thursday: Math 8:00 – 10:00, Networking 10:00 – 11:00, Communication 11:30 – 1:00, Windows OS 1 2:00 – 3:00, Friday: Linux Lab 8:00 – 10:00”]
Next, add any personal commitments that are scheduled for the week, including appointments and work.
[The schedule is populated with “Work” from 9:00 – 3:00 on Sunday]
Now add in blocks of study time. Try to spread these times across the week so that they are not all concentrated on already busy days. Think about the times when you will be most productive, and when you might be able to work without as much distraction. For each hour of class, you should be scheduling at least one hour of study time.
[The schedule is populated with “Study/Homework” on Monday 8:00 – 11:00, and 2:00 – 3:00, Tuesday 8:00 – 9:00, and 2:30 – 3:00, Wednesday 10:00 – 11:00, Friday 11:00 – 1:30, Saturday 9:00 – 11:00]
Add the specific class work you need to do for the week into these study periods. This can include assigned readings, assignments, studying, etc.
[On the schedule “Study/Homework” is replaced with “Research for comms project” and “research” on Monday, and “Study for Networking quiz” on Tuesday]
Your weekly schedule can change every week to reflect what you have going on each week. These schedules are flexible. If you discover your plan isn’t working, you can make adjustments.
Congratulations, you now know how to create a weekly schedule. Thanks for watching!
Working in Google Docs? You can use the Version Control to keep track of the work you've completed, and when. Watch the video below for tips on how to make the most out of Version Control.
Problems viewing? Watch or read the transcript for Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Version Control in Google Docs (1:20 mins) on YouTube
Working in Microsoft Word? You can use the Track Changes option in Word to show how you edited the first (or other) draft of your work. Watch the following video for an overview.
Problems viewing? Watch or read the transcript for How to Edit a Word Document Using TRACK CHANGES (for Beginners) (1:33 mins) on YouTube
Watch the following video from Pace University on how to use a research log.
Problems viewing? Watch or access the transcript for the video: Using a Research Log to Track Sources (3 mins) on YouTube
Watch the following video from Judson University that demonstrates how to use the "My Account" features within Page1+. We call our system Page1+, but we use the same system! While we don't have some of the features at the end of the video, this will get you started on your way to tracking your research effectively.
Problems viewing?
When you begin to work with the sources you've found, try colour coding them to help keep track of what ideas came from which source. Here's a short video that demonstrates how to highlight text in different colours in Microsoft Word.
Problems viewing? Watch How to Highlight Text with Different Colors in Microsoft Word (1 min) on YouTube