Public Lecture Examines What We Can Learn from Academic Dishonesty

2 min read

YEREVAN – On October 15, 2013, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted a public lecture by Dr. James M. Lang entitled “Cheating Lessons: How Research in Academic Dishonesty Can Help Us Build Better Learning Environments.” 

In his welcoming remarks, AUA President Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian mentioned that AUA was pleased to have Dr. Lang on campus, as the university is in the middle of reaffirmation of its U.S. accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. He noted, “this public forum is the culmination of Professor Lang having spent two days on campus facilitating workshops and talking with faculty about how to improve teaching and enhance learning. We think discussions of this sort are very important at all levels of education. We’re delighted to be able to explore such issues at the frontier of pedagogical research here at AUA.”

In his lecture, Dr. Lang identified factors which can inadvertently lead to academic dishonesty. He specified that extrinsically motivated, performance-oriented students are more likely to engage in academically dishonest acts than their intrinsically motivated, mastery-oriented peers. Dr. Lang also discussed the correlation between academic dishonesty and students’ view of their own capabilities, noting that those who believe that a task is too difficult are more likely to cheat than those who view a task as manageable. Finally, Dr. Lang highlighted the importance of social environments: when cheating is perceived as common and approved by peers, students are more likely to do it. He also suggested various ways in which educators can cultivate learning environments which promote intrinsic motivation and mastery, and inspire students with the self-efficacy necessary for deep learning.

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session, during which Dr. Lang fielded questions from audience members on topics ranging from test anxiety to the usefulness of plagiarism-prevention tools such as Turnitin.

Prior to the lecture, Dr. Lang also conducted two days of faculty workshops and consultations aimed at enhancing teaching through the use of innovative and traditional teaching and learning strategies. Dr. Lang said, “The past two days I’ve had the chance to work with the faculty, to talk about teaching here at AUA, and about how integrating the new undergraduate curriculum has been going. It’s been really fascinating. Everyone here has been incredibly welcoming and friendly and people have shown me great hospitality. I look forward to coming back some day.”

Dr. Lang is the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. An internationally recognized authority on teaching and learning in higher education, Dr. Lang writes a monthly column for the Chronicle of Higher Education that tracks new research, trends, and innovators in higher education pedagogy.

A recording of the lecture can be viewed here.

 

Dr. James M. Lang giving his lecture entitled, “Cheating Lessons: How Research in Academic Dishonesty Can Help Us Build Better Learning Environments”

 

 

AUA President Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian and Director of Accreditation Sharistan Melkonian at the lecture

 

Audience members in AUA’s Alex and Marie Manoogian Hall 

 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.