Distance Student and Academic Integrity in American Colleges: Challenges and Strategies

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the academic integrity of distance student at higher education institutions in the United States. The advancement of technology challenges university practices in the prevention of online academic misconducts such as financial aid fraud and online cheating. The author reviewed related research literature, governmental publications, regulatory and compliance information, and the state-of-art of new technologies that may address such concerns. Authentication and proctoring service providers within eighteen higher education institutions were interviewed to capture up-to-date practices. This article concludes the importance of positive academic culture even if new technological solutions are in place to deal with these misconducts. Finally, insightful suggestions are provided for colleges in Taiwan that are offering MOOCs.

Keywords

• academic integrity
• remote proctoring
• student authentication