Can BlackBoard Detect Copy and Paste

In modern education, it can be tempting to copy answers online or essays from public websites and paste them as your own. This is a common practice among lazy students.

But schools use online systems to monitor and prevent such malpractices. That begs the question of whether BlackBoard, the most common educational management platform can detect copying. Well, let us explore this.

BlackBoard can detect copy and paste when you upload assignments through its SafeAssign plagiarism detection software. SafeAssign basically compares the uploaded text with other texts online or within its repository. Also, during proctored exams, BlackBoard uses a combination of monitoring tools to detect and prevent copying.

These tools work together to alert the examiner of any suspicious activity. Tools monitor the environment such as the student’s computer camera and microphone, to track their behavior during the exam.

This includes monitoring the student’s activity on the computer, which can detect when the student is copying and pasting information from unauthorized sources.

Can you Copy and not get Caught by BlackBoard?

If a student is found to be copying and pasting information during a proctored exam, this can be used as evidence of cheating and reported to the instructor.

The instructor can then review the evidence, such as screen recordings or other monitoring data, to determine if the student was engaging in unethical behavior during the exam.

It’s important to note that while proctored exams in BlackBoard can help to detect copy and paste and other instances of cheating, they are not foolproof.

There is always a risk that some students may find ways to cheat, regardless of the monitoring tools in place. Therefore, it’s crucial for instructors to be vigilant in monitoring student behavior and ensuring that the learning environment is fair and honest.

How BlackBoard detects Copy and Paste

BlackBoard detects copy and paste during proctored exams by monitoring the student’s activity on the computer. When a student copies text or an image, it is stored temporarily in the computer’s clipboard, and when the student pastes that information, it is transferred from the clipboard to the target location.

In addition, the BlackBoard can detect when this transfer is taking place, and can flag instances where the student is pasting information from an unauthorized source.

In addition to monitoring the clipboard, BlackBoard may also use other methods to detect copy and paste, such as:

1. Using SafeAssign

By default, BlackBoard has SafeAssign embendend into it. This is one of the

SafeAssign is a plagiarism detection system that  comparing student submissions to a database of academic content, including articles, books, and other sources, to identify instances where the student may have copied text without proper attribution.

The tool then generates a report that highlights instances of suspected plagiarism and provides a similarity score, which indicates the percentage of the submission that is similar to other sources.

2. Screen monitoring

BlackBoard can record the student’s screen during a proctored exam and flag instances where the student appears to be copying and pasting information.

3. Keystroke monitoring

BlackBoard can monitor the student’s keystrokes during the exam and flag instances where the student is using keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste information.

4. Content analysis

BlackBoard can analyze the content of the exam to identify instances of plagiarism, such as repeated phrases or sentences, and flag them as potential instances of cheating.

It’s important to note that while BlackBoard uses these and other tools to detect copy and paste during proctored exams, they are not foolproof and there is always a risk that some students may find ways to cheat.

Therefore, it’s crucial for instructors to be vigilant in monitoring student behavior and ensuring that the learning environment is fair and honest.

What is SafeAssign from BlackBoard

SafeAssign is a plagiarism detection tool developed by Blackboard, Inc. It is integrated into the Blackboard learning management system and is used by instructors to check the originality of student submissions and detect instances of plagiarism.

Instructors can use SafeAssign to check the originality of student submissions, such as essays, research papers, and other written assignments, to ensure that students are submitting their own original work.

SafeAssign can also be used to educate students about plagiarism and promote academic integrity by highlighting instances of plagiarism and explaining how to properly cite sources.

SafeAssign is just one tool that instructors can use to detect plagiarism, and it’s important to note that it is not foolproof. For instance, SafeAssign cannot detect ChatGPT or AI, which opens a way for students to cheat using AI text.

Some students may still find ways to cheat despite the use of plagiarism detection tools, so it’s important for instructors to remain vigilant in monitoring student behavior and ensuring that the learning environment is fair and honest.

Why students cheat BlackBoard by Copy-Pasting

There are several reasons why students might engage in copy-and-paste behavior, such as:

1. Lack of time management

Some students may feel overwhelmed with the workload and may resort to copying and pasting information as a way to quickly complete assignments or exams.

2. Lack of understanding

Some students may not understand the material well enough to complete the assignment or exam on their own, and may copy and paste information as a way to obtain a higher grade.

3. Lack of effort

Some students may be lazy and not want to put in the effort to complete the assignment or exam on their own, so they copy and paste information instead.

4. Pressure to succeed

Some students may feel a high level of pressure to succeed, either from themselves or from their family, and may resort to copying and pasting information as a way to achieve a high grade.

5. Lack of ethics

Some students may simply not have strong ethical principles and may not see copying and pasting information as a problem.

Conclusion

It’s important to note that copying and pasting information without proper attribution is a form of academic dishonesty and can have serious consequences, such as lower grades, academic probation, or even expulsion.

It’s important for students to understand the importance of ethical behavior in their academic careers and to make an effort to complete their work honestly and independently.