Learning Environment - Research Paper Example

Then, there is something called the honor code. "From 1913 to World War II, the honor system expanded to all academics, including problem sets, lab reports, and essays. After the war, with perhaps some influence from the military, the treatment of [school] property and the theft of personal belongings became an important part of honor [in school]" (History of the Honor System, 2002, p. 1). With the honor code, the responsibility for maintaining honor lies with the students. "One element of an integrity strategyis the use of an honor code, which has been related to a reduction in academic dishonestyHonor codes typically have some of the following characteristics: unproctored examinations, a pledge students sign on exams and assignmentsin which students are encouraged to reporttheir peers' academic dishonesty" (Konheim-Kalkstein, 2006, p. 169). Conversely, if students are furtive or are trying to cheat, most likely the fact is that they are simply dishonest.

Simply put, academic honesty in the classroom can be difficult to maintain, especially if there is no way to assess the standards put in place by the teacher. Integrity is typically categorized as character. . 169). The honor code may work, or it may not, depending upon the individual students' level of honesty. If they are generally morally-abiding students, they are less likely to cheat or lie. Conversely, if students are furtive or are trying to cheat, most likely the fact is that they are simply dishonest.

Simply put, academic honesty in the classroom can be difficult to maintain, especially if there is no way to assess the standards put in place by the teacher.III. Implications of Different Theories in Integrity Integrity is typically categorized as character. "Integrity is one of the most important and oft-cited of virtue terms," and here four types of integrity will be discussed: integrity as standing for something; integrity as moral purpose; integrity as virtue; and integrity in relation to social and political conditions (Integrity, 2008, p. 1). Cheshire Calhoun, in his piece Standing for Something, notes that "integrity hinges on acting on one's own views, not the right views (as those might be determined independently of the agent's own opinion)" (Calhoun, 1995, p. 250). Standing for something is typically seen as weak in some circles.

However, having the courage to stick to one's morals or values in life is commonly seen globally as a strength. There is the old saying which many know, "Stand for something or you'll fall for anything." Many times people have to rely on their gut instinct in order to know what to do in a particular situation. Let's take a particular situation, where a student is faced with the opportunity to cheat off another student's work in class. Realistically, the student may just cheat. However, perhaps the student may