Title: Collaboration & Sharing Materials

STEM icon. Created by Stefaniada Voichita. Use under CC 4.0 BY-NC.

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Introduction

Lesson 3: Collaboration and sharing materials

Please select the sidebar’s tabs on the left or use the navigations controls to progress through the lesson.

Navigation instructions

- It is recommended that you use Google Chrome or Safari browsers for this lesson.
- Please select the lesson's tabs on the left-hand sidebar to progress through the content.
- Use the < Prev. and Next > buttons to go from one slide to another.
- Select the Check button to submit your answers and get feedback.

Keyboard navigation

- Use Tab + Enter keys on your keyboard to go to the next slides and Shift + Tab + Enter to go to the previous slides.
- Use Tab and Up/Down or Left/Right arrows to navigate & Enter or Spacebar to activate menus (e.g., turn rotatable cards, multicards, drop-down cards).
- For activities, use Tab & Up/Down or Left/Right arrows to select options, Enter or Spacebar keys to submit answers for feedback (e.g., multiple-choice, true/false), or drop draggable options onto the desired drop areas (e.g., drag and drop).

It should take you approximately 10 minutes to complete the lesson.

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Learning outcomes:

- Recognize the importance of following instructors’ requirements related to collaboration and aids for group work.
- Differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate academic practices in group work.
- Identify and apply the best strategies to uphold academic integrity.

Your instructor’s requirements

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Collaboration is a beneficial practice, both for your ability to learn within a course and as a practical skill later in your career. We all benefit from being able to work well with others and from sharing our strengths and different perspectives.

ⓘ However, it is important to remember that any group work or collaboration needs to be consistent with your instructor’s requirements, and these requirements may be different from one assessment to the next and will likely be different for each course that you take.

To view examples for each STEM discipline, select the corresponding tab below.

For instance, your instructor might permit you to work with others on a coding project at the beginning of the term, but might not allow you to work with others on your next coding assignment.

Computer science example

For instance, your instructor might permit you to work with others on a case study at the beginning of the term but might not allow you to work with anyone on the next case study.

Engineering example

For instance, your instructor might permit you to work with others on a statistics assignment at the beginning of the term but might not allow you to work with anyone else on the next statistics assignment.

Math example

For instance, your instructor will likely permit work in the lab with a partner, but will not allow you to work with anyone, including that partner, on the lab report.

Science example

Check your knowledge

Q: If I am allowed to work with my classmates on my first assignment, I am automatically allowed to work with my classmates on the next assignment. True or False?
A: false
If right: Correct! Collaboration requirements will vary from assessment to assessment. Make sure to check the rules before collaborating.
If wrong: Incorrect. Collaboration requirements will vary from assessment to assessment. Make sure to check the rules before collaborating.

Collaborating appropriately

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Authorized collaboration

Following your instructor’s, program’s, or employer’s requirements are important to ensure you are meeting collaboration expectations.

If the instructor has indicated you are to complete your assessment in pairs or in a group, this means you are permitted to work together with your classmates.

Select any tab below to see more details about appropriate collaboration in STEM disciplines.

Appropriate collaboration in STEM disciplines

Computer science

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Depending on the assessment and your instructor’s requirements, this may include:

- Brainstorming together.
- Completing an assignment together.
- Reviewing each other’s work.

Appropriate collaboration in computer science

Appropriate collaboration in engineering

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Depending on the assessment and your instructor’s requirements, this may include:

- Doing research together.
- Brainstorming together.
- Completing an assignment together.
- Reviewing each other’s work.

Appropriate collaboration in engineering

Appropriate collaboration in mathematics

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Depending on the assessment and your instructor’s instructions, this may include:

- Brainstorming together.
- Completing an assignment together.
- Reviewing each other’s work.

Appropriate collaboration in mathematics

Appropriate collaboration in science

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Depending on the assessment and your instructor’s instructions, this may include:

- Doing research together.
- Conducting a lab experiment together.
- Brainstorming together.
- Completing an assignment together.
- Reviewing each other’s work.

Appropriate collaboration in science

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Being a responsible group member

If you are permitted to work in groups, all individual group members are responsible for following your instructor’s expectations.

This means each group member must:

- Follow the instructor’s requirements regarding authorized aids and level of collaboration permitted.
- Cite all outside sources used.
- Be honest about the work they are submitting.
- Contribute to all aspects of the assignment and not divide the work amongst the members.

ⓘ If one group member does not follow the rules, it may negatively affect the rest of the group members.

Unauthorized collaboration

If your instructor states that an assessment should be completed individually, you are not allowed to work with anybody else. This means you can’t discuss the assessment answers with classmates.

When you work with others on assessments when collaboration is not permitted, it is an academic offence called unauthorized collaboration.

Select any tab below to see more details about unauthorized collaboration in STEM disciplines.

Appropriate collaboration in STEM disciplines

Computer science example

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Simone is completing a programming assignment that the instructor has said must be completed independently. They are feeling stuck, so they reach out to their classmate to get a few answers.

As Simone is not allowed to collaborate with others on their programming assignment, they have committed an academic offence.

Computer science example

Engineering example

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Simone is completing a calculus assignment that the instructor has said must be completed independently. They are feeling stuck, so they reach out to their classmate to get a few answers.

As Simone is not allowed to collaborate with others on their calculus assignment, they have committed an academic offence.

Engineering example

Mathematics example

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Simone is completing an algebra assignment that the instructor has said must be completed independently. They are feeling stuck, so they reach out to their classmate to get a few answers.

As Simone is not allowed to collaborate with others on their algebra assignment, they have committed an academic offence.

Mathematics example

Science example

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Simone is working on a communications assignment that the instructor has said must be completed independently. They are feeling stuck, so they reach out to their classmate to get a few answers.

As Simone is not allowed to collaborate with others on this assignment, they have committed an academic offence.

Science example

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Why collaborate appropriately?

ⓘ If your instructor asks you to complete an assignment individually, they want to see you demonstrate your own knowledge on the subject.

If you work with someone else, you are not giving yourself the opportunity to practice applying course concepts on your own, and are breaking your instructor’s trust.

Strategies for collaboration

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Main strategies

Make sure you are aware of your instructor’s requirements for collaborating.

For that, you can:

- Check your course outline.
- Check the assignment instructions.
- Ask your instructor or TA directly.

ⓘ If you are still not sure of your instructor’s requirements, make sure to ask the instructor first before collaborating with someone else.

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Tips for group work

If you are permitted to work with your classmates on an assessment, use the following strategies to ensure a positive group experience:

- Create a group schedule with deadlines to help everyone stay on track.
- Discuss the instructor’s requirements for the assignment.
- If outside sources are used, agree on a citation style, and establish how the group will keep track of sources.
- Ideally, use Google Docs or some other format that allows you to document what you contributed.
- Have regular group meetings to discuss challenges and next steps.

Credits: Strategy icon; by Stefaniada Voichita; licence PD

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Using resources

If you are not permitted to collaborate with others, utilize campus resources for extra help.

Not fully understanding the assignment instructions or stuck on course content? Reach out to your instructor or TA.

ⓘ If you are not sure where to start, check your institution’s website for student resources or ask at the library for help.

Select any tab below to see more details about using resources in every STEM discipline.

Using resources in computer science

CHALLENGE | SOLUTION
Having trouble thinking through how to tackle assignments or with your time management? | Use the Student Success/Academic Support Centre.
Need help finding research? | Reach out to your librarian by subject.

Using resources in engineering

CHALLENGE | SOLUTION
Having trouble articulating your thoughts? | Visit the Writing Centre.
Having trouble thinking through how to tackle assignments or with your time management? | Utilize the Student Success/Academic Support Centre.
Need help finding research? | Reach out to your librarian by subject.

Using resources in engineering

Using resources in mathematics

CHALLENGE | SOLUTION
Having trouble thinking through how to tackle assignments or with your time management? | Use the Student Success/Academic Support Centre.
Need help finding research? | Reach out to your librarian by subject.

Using resources in mathematics

Using resources in science

CHALLENGE | SOLUTION
You are not fully understanding the assignment? | Reach out your instructor or TA, or post to the official course discussion board.
Having trouble articulating your thoughts? | Visit the Writing Centre
Having trouble thinking through how to tackle assignments or with your time management? | Utilize the Student Success/Academic Support Centre.
Need help finding research? | Reach out to your librarian by subject.

Using resources in science

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Saying no to classmates and friends

It can be challenging to say no to a classmate or friend who needs help with their individual assessment.

Select any tab below to read about how you can respond with integrity in STEM disciplines.

Computer science scenario

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Jasper recently broke up with his partner and has been a bit upset. Now he is struggling with his programming assignment and feels stuck. He reaches out to his friend, Ela, to see if she will help him complete it.

Ela knows the assignment is supposed to be completed independently, but she wants to be a good friend to Jasper.

What should she do?

Engineering scenario

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Jasper recently broke up with his partner and has been a bit upset. Now he is struggling with his design assignment and feels stuck. He reaches out to his friend, Ela, to see if she will help him complete it.

Ela knows the assignment is supposed to be completed independently, but she wants to be a good friend to Jasper.

What should she do?

Engineering scenario

Math scenario

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Jasper recently broke up with his partner and has been a bit upset. Now he is struggling with his statistics assignment and feels stuck. He reaches out to his friend, Ela, to see if she will help him complete it.

Ela knows the assignment is supposed to be completed independently, but she wants to be a good friend to Jasper.

What should she do?

Math scenario

Science scenario

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Jasper recently broke up with his partner and has been a bit upset. Now he is struggling with his biology assignment and feels stuck. He reaches out to his friend, Ela, to see if she will help him complete it.

Ela knows the assignment is supposed to be completed independently, but she wants to be a good friend to Jasper.

What should she do?

Science scenario

How to say no to classmates and friends

How to say no to classmates and friends

Turn the card over to see an example of how Ela could answer in all those situations, maintaining academic integrity and also helping out her friend.

Q: Ela could say:
A: - Hey Jasper! Remember how the instructor said the assignment is supposed to be completed independently?

If we collaborate on it, we could both get in trouble. Our instructor or TA would be best to help you out. You should send them an e-mail or visit their office hours.

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Scenarios follow-up

Did you notice how Ela pointed out and followed the instructor’s requirements, but still suggested Jasper reach out for help?

There are several resources on campus, such as:

- Your instructor or TA.
- Writing Centre.
- Student Success/Academic Support Centre.
- Tutoring Centre.
- Library.
- Office of Academic Integrity.

ⓘ If your friend needs help on an individual assessment, refer them to a campus resource instead of assisting them yourself. This way, neither of you will get into trouble.

Check your knowledge

Q: Check your knowledge

Which strategies can I use to collaborate appropriately? Check all four that apply:
- A) Follow my instructor’s requirements. (correct)
- B) Clarify the requirements if I am unsure. (correct)
- C) Use campus resources for extra help. (correct)
- D) Have the courage to say no to friends and classmates who ask to collaborate on individual assessments. (correct)
- E) Give my individual assignment to classmates for inspiration but tell them to not copy from it. (Not quite! Strategies you can use to collaborate appropriately are following your instructor’s requirements, clarify the requirements, use campus resources, and say no to friends and classmates.)

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What would have happened to Jasper and Ela if they had collaborated?

If similarities in Ela’s and Jasper’s reports are noted by the instructor, the students will be reported for an academic misconduct investigation. They would receive an allegation of ‘unauthorized collaboration’. The students would be met with individually to explain the basis of the similarities in their reports. Depending on penalty guidelines, there could be an assignment grade and a final grade reduction.

If Jasper had already been feeling upset about the break-up with his partner, it might overwhelm him to now also be dealing with an academic offence case.

Although Ela’s intention was to help, it resulted in making the situation worse for them both.

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Collaborate responsibly

- If you do want to reach out to a friend or classmate for help understanding course concepts, make sure to set boundaries according to your instructor’s requirements.
- On individual assessments, do not collaborate on sections of or on the whole assignment. Instead, together you can:
  - Practice similar problems and provide each other with feedback.
  - Review challenging course concepts.
  - Have study sessions for final assessments.

ⓘ Remember, unless permitted by your instructor, the work and answers you hand in should be your own.

Module 3: wrap up

In this module you learned about:

- The importance of making sure you understand what forms of collaboration your instructor permits for each assignment and each class.
- That unauthorized collaboration is an academic offence, even if it feels justified.
- Strategies that will help you collaborate appropriately and ways to get help if collaboration is not permitted.
- Tips on how to say no to classmates and friends.

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Congratulations!

You’ve completed the 3rd Academic Integrity in STEM module.

Credit and licensing

Content Creators: Amanda McKenzie, Erin Nearing, Maria Barichello, Stephanie Mutch, Mike Chee, and Kari D. Weaver.

Instructional and Graphic Designers: Stefaniada Voichita, Hiba Zubairi, Cathy Sebastian, Anthony Maocheia-Ricci, Mike Chee, and Kari D. Weaver.

Additional feedback was generously contributed by many faculty, staff, and students at the University of Waterloo, McMaster University, Queen’s University, and the University of Guelph.

This module was created with financial support from a 2021 eCampus Ontario Virtual Learning Strategy Grant and is licensed under a Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution-Non Commercial License (CC 4.0 BY-NC).

Attribution may be indicated as follows:
McKenzie, A., Nearing, E., Barichello, M., Mutch, S., Weaver, K. D., Voichita, S., Chee, M., Zubairi, H., Sebastian, C., & Maocheia-Ricci, A. (2022). Collaboration & sharing materials. eCampus Ontario. Link to repository. Used under CC 4.0 BY-NC.

For more information or to request permission for a non-licensed use, please email academic.integrity@uwaterloo.ca

Territorial acknowledgement

This project was led by individuals who live and work in Waterloo, which is the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo’s main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office .