The reality is that today any student can copy anything off the Internet and turn it in as his/her own work.

It would be obviously considered as CHEATING by majority of teachers, although sometimes it could be the best way to answer teacher's questions. The ability to find the right answer, to make it short and exact, sometimes is even more important than to develop the own unique solution.

In fact, my students are allowed* to cut and paste if they follow certain conditions. During the class time I will teach them how to use available resources in a legitimate way, how to organize, analyze, and synthesize information. Together with students we will work out acceptable practices for including the work of others in their own work.

It will enrich their recourses, and certainly will make them feel better about honesty and legacy of their work.


*In the 15th century students were not allowed to read the Bible. I don't think that we have to follow them with the Internet. It will certainly not will work out. Particularly in the 21st century.