This module addresses communications skills, provides opportunities for information gathering, synthesis, and analysis in solving problems and in critical thinking.
You should have the following skills prior to using this module:
If you feel you are lacking some of these skills, there are resources available at Penn State where you can go for help. Some of these resources include:
For more information about these resources, use the Penn State Web site, http://www.psu.edu, to search for the location of the University Learning Center at your location. Staff at the Learning Centers will be able to help you find the additional help you need. Your academic advisor can also help you locate resources for getting help.
The iStudy for Success! modules work in the Penn State course management system, ANGEL (http://cms.psu.edu) In order to log on to ANGEL, you will need to have activated your Access account. For more information about your Access Account, see http://aset.its.psu.edu/accounts/access.html.
If you are completing iStudy for Success modules as part of a class, your instructor will tell you which modules and activities to complete and how to access them. If you are completing iStudy modules on your own or with the help of a tutor at the University Learning Centers, directions for creating a group in ANGEL and importing modules are found at the iStudy Web site (http://istudy.psu.edu/access.html).
Each module contains activities designed to help you learn and practice the concepts presented. Reflective questions help you recall what you already know about the topic as well as to work through new ideas and concepts. Worksheets and tip sheets supplement the instruction and give you an opportunity for additional practice. Quizzes provide yet another means for you to practice as well as to check to be sure you have read and understand the materials.
The modules all have a standard layout. When you import a module into your ANGEL group, a folder with the module's name will be added under the "Content" tab (ANGEL group). This folder can be moved and placed within another folder if desired.
To start the module, you should open the first file in the list inside each module's folder. This file has the word lesson as part of its name and contains the links to other parts of the lesson.
Open the first file in the module folder to begin the lesson.
This "master" file contains descriptions of the purpose, goals, and objectives, as well as instructions for completing the module, references to materials used in designing and developing the content of the module, a summary of the important points in the module, and a survey for you to complete after finishing the module. (Survey results are available to editors in the group or course through the on-line grade report tool.) If you are completing the modules as part of a course, you instructor will tell you if you are to complete the survey or not. If you are completing the modules on your own or with a tutor in the Learning Centers, you do not need to complete the survey.
The rest of the files in each module's folder are accessed through links embedded within the content. As the you read the content and complete the activities, other files from the module will be used. Some students may become confused because they try to complete the module by working their way down the list and viewing each file without reading the accompanying materials. This is not the way the module was designed to be completed.
Note: The module will only work correctly if you begin with the "master" file and work through the activities using the embedded links.
Scores for quizzes are recorded in ANGEL and can be accessed through the on-line grade report tool. Responses to reflective questions using the "My Notes" tool are accessible only to the person who types them -- they are not available to the group or course editors.
Following are the assignments embedded in the Academic Integrity module:
Activity 1: Reflective question -- What does it mean to have integrity?
Activity 2: Quiz -- Plagiarism and Cheating
Activity 3: Quiz -- Copyright and Fair Use
Activity 4: Reflective question -- Have you ever made excuses for cheating?
Activity 5: Quiz -- Excuses and Penalties
Activity 6: Activity -- Case study situations
This module is directly related to the Search Strategies and Source Evaluation Module. Many of the strategies illustrated here are used when one is accessing information.
Turnitin.com is a plagiarism detection tool to which Penn State has a license. All instructors within the Penn State community who are currently teaching a bona fide Penn State course may have an account at Turnitin.com and may submit student work for verification. As a student at Penn State it is your responsibility to know what constitutes plagiarism and what the penalties are for getting caught. More information about Turnitin.com is available at the Penn State Web site as well as at the Turnitin.com Web site.