Communication and Technology for Academic Purposes

This report discusses the role of communication and technology in academic integrity and practices. It covers the functions of word processing package, ways to present website text in academic work, aspects of virtual learning environment, and reasons for using Turnitin. The report emphasizes the importance of ethical practices and fresh content development in academic life.

Communications and
technology in
academics

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
Main functions within word processing package...................................................................4
The ways in which website text should be presented in academic work to avoid plagiarism5
The main functions and aspects of virtual learning environment...........................................6
The reasons for using Turnitin...............................................................................................7
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
The communications and technology play a crucial role in development of academic
integrity and practices related to academics (Alhadreti, 2021). In the recent times, it is important
for a student to take assistance of information and technology to develop a key approach which is
beneficial in studies. In the career development also, the factors related to information and
technology also play a major role. In the development of a student, these factors play a crucial
role by developing knowledge and learning in an individual. In this report, various aspects and
functions of virtual learning environment are explained in a precise and systematic manner. This
report also includes the functions in word packaging along with strategies to deal with
plagiarism.

MAIN BODY
Main functions within word processing package
In the Microsoft word software, there are various functions which helps a writer to
develop a systematic information (Birdthistle, Riverola, and Ekberg, 2022). It is crucial for a
student to use all the functions which are available in MS word for preparing a detailed
document. The main functions of word packaging are mentioned below:
 Composing- This is the major function of MS word in which a writer can compose a
fresh word document. The composing includes writing about an information in detail and
fresh manner for development of effective information. In this approach a document is
prepared by the writer with development of fresh and new information related to the
subject matter. It includes direct typing by a writer like writing using a type writer.
 Editing- In MS word, editing is considered as one of the key function which helps in
development of necessary document. In this function, a user can make necessary
modifications in a word file which are in desired. In other words, in editing function a
user can make desired changes in the word document.
 Printing- In printing, a user can print whole word document on a paper in the form of
hard copy. This is one of the major functions in MS word which helps a user to print
information on a paper. It is also key role of a user to print the document using a digital
printer.
 Saving- This option helps a user to save the word document at a destination in computer
or in smartphone (Civera, Meoli, and Vismara, 2020). The saving option is considered as
one of the major functions of MS word which helps an individual to save the document
for future use. Saving a document is mainly helpful in making a word file accessible
when it is needed. The MS word is widely used in the academic institutions to save major
information based document for future development.

The ways in which website text should be presented in academic work to avoid plagiarism
Plagiarism is considered as false practice which means a student is copying information
from a website or any other source (Ghilay, 2017). The plagiarism is also considered as an
unethical practice which should not be done in academic institutions. In order to present website
text in a precise manner, a student should focus on the following ways:
 Rephrase- It is essential for an individual to focus on rephrasing the sentence in order to
avoid plagiarism. The student should see the information on website and write in own
words to develop writing skills. This will be beneficial in increasing mental strength and
capability of a student.
 Understand and re-write- This is also a major technique which a student can use to
eliminate the plagiarism. The student should open the necessary website then deeply
analyse the whole information. After successfully analysing whole situation, a student
should re-write in own words to develop and formulate meaningful information. This is
the ethical practice and recommended to all students who wants to avoid plagiarism in
academics.
 Take help of teachers and seniors- In order to avoid the practice of plagiarism, a
student can take help of experienced persons. The help from teachers and seniors will be
fruitful for the students in order to avoid plagiarism (Grainger, Liu, and Geertshuis,
2021). Professors and teachers will guide the students to make text plagiarism free in a
well defined and arrange manner. Also the guidance provided by teachers and seniors
will be helpful in developing fair and ethical practices in academic life.

The main functions and aspects of virtual learning environment
The virtual learning environment plays a crucial role in academic life of a student which
helps in developing key qualities (Meleagrou-Hitchens, Alexander, and Kaderbhai, 2017). In the
time of pandemic, many institutions are putting an emphasis on major practices related to VLE
for systematic development of students. Virtual learning environment includes usage of
advanced computer systems and software to develop learning and knowledge in students. The
main features of VLE are:
 Cost savings- The virtual learning environment saves costs of institutions as well for the
students. This means with the help of VLE, education and its practices can become cheap
for the students. It also increases effectiveness of the education by development of
affordable and reasonable rates for the education. In the recent times, due to spread of
COVID-19, scope of virtual learning environment is increasing day by day. It is cheaper
than traditional method of education which provides relaxation to parents and students in
terms of their spendings.
 Improved technical skills- Application of VLE in the institutions improves technical
skills of the student. Students learn to use various software and tools which are
appropriate for learning and development of the personality. Technical skills are also
improved with the support of VLE, a student also learns to utilise major software and
computer systems to develop learning. The development of soft skills related to computer
systems and software is achieved with the help and support of VLE.
 Flexibility and comfort- The VLE provides learning from home opportunities that helps
in providing flexibility and comfort to different students. At home students can easily
develop learning environment with the help of virtual education. In the recent times,
importance of flexibility and comfort is increasing in the student life and comfort is also
achieved with the help of virtual learning environment (Mousa, Jameel, and Ahmad,
2019). The flexibility is an essential part of student life, which should be provided by
educational institutions with the support of VLE.
 Learning opportunities- With the help and support of virtual learning environment there
is a rise in learning opportunities for the students. It should be ethical duty of a student to
develop and focus on all learning opportunities in a precise manner to take advantage of
virtual learning environment. In order to learn differently, a student must take support of

various opportunities that are provided and developed by virtual learning environment.
Most of the institutions in the international and national place, focus on developing
strategies which are helpful in increasing learning opportunities with the help of virtual
learning environment.
The reasons for using Turnitin
The Tunitin is a major website developed by American multinational company which
helps and supports students to detect plagiarism. It also helps the students to focus on fresh
writing a report as the practice of plagiarism is wrong for them. This website also supports and
helps teachers to check plagiarism of the students by identifying cheating in their work.
Illustration 1: Example of Turnitin detecting plagiarism, 2021

The main reasons for using Turnitin are mentioned below:
 Detects plagiarism- The presence of Turnitin website detects plagiarism in the
whole document or report. This practice helps institutions to take into
consideration completed work in an ethical manner. The detection of plagiarism
in Turntin website is quick and fast and it automatically highlight text which is
based on cheating.
 Creation of fresh and new content- The Turnitin helps a student to identify
plagiarism and develop a fresh and new content (Oliver, and Cairney, 2020). It
also creates a goodwill and reputation of a student in the academic life which is
important for an individual. The fresh and new content is helpful in development
of knowledge and learning of a student in academic life.
 Helps students and teachers- The Turnitin website mainly helps all the students
and teachers in academic institutions to promote ethical practices. Application of
fresh and new work is always beneficial for a student to develop major learning.
The Turnitin website is also helpful for the student to focus on development of
mental strength and capability related to the work. In the completion of projects
and reports also it plays a crucial role.

CONCLUSION
From the above stated report it can be concluded that it is essential for a student to focus
on development of a major strategy to deal with various consequences of academics in context of
information and technology. The communications and technology also play a significant role in
overall development of knowledge and learning in the student. This report concludes the uses of
Turntin and its website for detection of plagiarism. The above discussion also concludes role of
virtual learning environment in development of learning with the help and assistance of
information and technology.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alhadreti, O., 2021. Assessing academics’ perceptions of blackboard usability using SUS and
CSUQ: A case study during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Human–
Computer Interaction, 37(11), pp.1003-1015.
Birdthistle, N., Riverola, C., and Ekberg, S., 2022. Empowering STEAM Academics to Adopt
Enterprise Pedagogies. In Strategies for the Creation and Maintenance of Entrepreneurial
Universities (pp. 142-167). IGI Global.
Civera, A., Meoli, M. and Vismara, S., 2020. Engagement of academics in university technology
transfer: Opportunity and necessity academic entrepreneurship. European Economic
Review, 123, p.103376.
Ghilay, Y., 2017. Online learning in higher education. Ghilay, Y.(2017). Online Learning in
Higher Education. Nova Science Publishers-New-York.
Grainger, R., Liu, Q. and Geertshuis, S., 2021. Learning technologies: A medium for the
transformation of medical education?. Medical education, 55(1), pp.23-29.
Meleagrou-Hitchens, A., Alexander, A. and Kaderbhai, N., 2017. The impact of digital
communications technology on radicalization and recruitment. International Affairs, 93(5),
pp.1233-1249.
Mousa, T.S., Jameel, A.S. and Ahmad, A.R., 2019. The impact of attitude, subjective norm and
information communications technology on knowledge sharing among academic
staff. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 23(02), pp.704-717.
Oliver, K. and Cairney, P., 2020. Correction: The dos and don’ts of influencing policy: a
systematic review of advice to academics. Palgrave Communications, 6(1), pp.1-1.