Ethical issues and approach in e-learning

Academic integrity implies adhering to the principles of honesty, responsibility and originality in the learning process. In digital environments, the challenge of plagiarism and cheating is particularly pronounced, as the availability of online resources and tools makes it easier than ever to copy someone else's work. However, at the same time, the digital environment offers opportunities to encourage ethical behavior through good task design and the development of a culture of responsibility. 

An example of a problem is an online exam in the form of a standard multiple choice. Students can easily share answers with each other or use external sources during the exam. If exams are based only on memorizing facts, superficial learning is encouraged and the risk of cheating increases. 

To avoid this, teachers can use a variety of tasks: reflective journals, case studies, project tasks or tasks that require personal examples. For example, a student can be assigned to analyze a problem from their own work or social environment by applying theoretical knowledge. Such tasks cannot be simply copied from the Internet. 

It is also useful to use personalized tasks: in Moodle LMS, the teacher can generate random variations of mathematical problems or cases in business economics, so that each student receives different parameters. This makes cheating more difficult and encourages individual work.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly present in e-learning, where it brings significant benefits, but also a number of ethical challenges. AI systems can personalize learning, recommend materials, automate feedback, and analyze student progress, thereby improving teaching efficiency and the learning experience. However, the use of AI in education raises questions of privacy, transparency, and academic integrity. Systems that collect data on student behavior can violate privacy if the data is not stored and used responsibly.

Another ethical challenge is the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (genAI), which students can use to write essays, solve assignments, or automate information searches. While these tools can support learning, their unsupervised and unlabeled use can lead to plagiarism, reduce the development of critical thinking, and violate academic integrity. It is therefore crucial to clearly communicate the rules for using AI tools and encourage transparency in the creation of student work.

Educators should thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into e-learning, choosing tools that are ethically designed, non-discriminatory, and provide explainable results. Educating students about the responsible use of AI, encouraging authentic tasks, and developing digital literacy are important steps toward creating a safe, equitable, and ethically informed digital learning environment.

In addition to the design of assignments, education about the concept of academic integrity is also important. Students should be taught what is considered plagiarism, how to properly cite sources, and why honesty is important not only in their studies but also in their professional lives. An example of good practice is when a course includes a workshop on academic honesty at the beginning of the semester, using plagiarism checking tools as a support. 

Ultimately, integrity is best ensured through a combination of good design, clear rules, and a culture of trust. Students should feel that grades are the result of their efforts, not surveillance or repression. When assignments encourage critical thinking and creativity, academic integrity naturally becomes part of the learning process.

If you want to learn more, we recommend the free online SRCE course called "Autorstvo, plagiranje i citiranje: što, kako, zašto?"