Ethical Dilemma: Addressing Plagiarism in Computer Science Assignments

The assignment analyzes the ethical implications of using external services for computer science assignments, focusing on the ACS Code of Ethics and academic integrity. It discusses the negative impact of plagiarism on students' learning and future professional capabilities, highlighting the importance of original work and the development of necessary skills. The student proposes a course of action, beginning with a warning to the students involved, followed by involving the teacher, and finally, creating peer pressure to discourage unethical behavior. The aim is to address the issue of students using external services to complete assignments, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct and the need to foster a genuine learning environment within the student community. The references include the ACS Code of Ethics and the ACS Code of Professional Conduct Professional Standards Board.

Portfolio 3
I have studied the ACS code of Ethics which reflects upon the need of having the knowledge
and skills in the professionals in any field of work. However, if a student is taking the work
of a ghost writer then the production would not be a true reflection of own knowledge and
skills but that of the writer which is an unethical practice. Considering this, I feel the urge to
take some action here for the benefit of the whole student community as such services if
taken by students would hamper their learning process (ACS 2015).
A professional work should enhance the quality of life of the individuals around or those
served in the process. However, if the students are taking help from experts to complete their
assignments, the thing would not benefit the student taking service as well as would affect the
people who are taking services from such a student in future because of lack of needed skills.
There can also be a possibility that the writer is a technical professional who can deliver
better assignments in which case, the genuine students would score lesser than the students
paying for the assignment which would affect their grades and ranks which is ethically wrong
(Graham and Low 2014).
Every assignment has a goal of self-development but if the assignment is attempted by an
expert and not the student, the development would not be of the student and this violates the
codes of ethics as per ACS. Thus, it is important to stop this practice both for the benefit of
students taking service and the whole community of the genuine students. I could think of
informing the authority but it can spoil the reputation of the students as well as risk their
career and thus, the first step I would take is warn them myself and only when they still do
not listen to me would I raise a complaint against them to the teacher. I can understand that
even if only the warning is given by the teacher, the students would try to not misconduct

There are high chances that the students would not agree to my say if I warn them myself and
thus, it is necessary to involve the teachers into this as they can not only show the authority
but also provide them the right guidance and insight on the consequences of using outside
services for the assignments which would be helpful for the development of the students.
I can also try spreading the word about the wrong act in other students so that there would be
a peer pressure that they not-genuine students would have to face before going to the tutor. If
all the students who are genuine come to know about such a service them I can gather them
to talk to students who are not genuine and give them warning to act ethically failing which
the complaint would simply go to the authorities. With peer pressure of upsetting the students
or facing the risk of intervention from teacher, the students may start to act ethically.
References
ACS. 2015. ACS Code of Ethics. Australian Computer Society.
Graham, Ruth, and Graham Low. 2014. ACS Code of Professional Conduct Professional Standards
Board. Australian Computer Society.