So I am on a Level 3 ICT Course and we have a lot of class work and assignments to do.
Virtually all of of these involve reearching a topic and then typing up a report or presentation.
But the thing is, we are not allowed to copy and paste off the internet. The tutors always say "needs to be in your own words". And like pretty much every other college, we use the dreaded Turnitin which as everyone knows is like a bloodhound when it comes to detecting
similar words/sentence structure.
So what I now tend to when doing an assignment or a peice of work is to research the question/task and then copy and paste an extract (not the whole thing but usually an extract or two) from a source (usually I will use many different sources, I won't just copy everything from an entire site) and then paste it into Microsoft Word.
I will then highlight it and put it in bold so I know it's been copied. I will then re-write the text underneath, replacing as many words as I can with synomyms (words that mean the same/similar thing) and also attempt to change the sentence structure whenever I can.
For example, I often replace "allow" with "enable" and "because" with "as" and vice-versa.
I will then copy a few of the re-worded sentences (as well as the entire paragraph) into Google/Bing and if I can't see the original source on the first page then I am usually content. Sometimes it will flag up on the 1st or 2nd page of results, and it shows the matched words in bold. I will then change the related words and paste the new sentence into a search engine again until it no longer comes up on the 1st or 2nd page.
When I first started this course back in September, I was pretty crap at re-wording, sometimes only changing one word in an entire sentence, which of course isn't enough.
However, I now find it to be the quickest and easiest way to do an assignment. Researching, reading and processing text from mutiple different websites and then having to remember it all and re-write it from memory is often just too difficult for me, esspecially if it's something I don't know much about eg Event Driven Programming which I am doing at the moment.
On my first ever practice assignment I got about 37% similarity on Turnitin, however now it tends to be more like 15-25% which is acceptable for most assignments.
Sometimes I will type the assignment task into Google and it will come up with a few blog-style posts of students who have done the same peice of work, and it's literally all there for me - all I have to do is simply copy the work and re-word it just enough so that Turnitin is unlikely to detect it.
A few weeks back I made a thread asking whether I should use an online spinner tool to do the re-wording for me but a lot of people said it was cheating:
I have now decided to re-word the text myself instead, though I occasionally still do use free online text spinners from time-to-time.
Anyway, here a few examples that I have done below (these are extracts from a couple of assignments that I am currently working on):
Assignment 1 - Understand the key features of Event Driven Programs: Time driven, Event handlers, Trigger functions, Events, Event loops, Forms, Flexibility, Suitability for graphical interfaces, Simplicity of programming, Ease of development, Service oriented and Disadvantages.
Copied text: Event handlers in event driven programming are designed to run a specific action when a specific event is triggered. There are numerous event handlers an example of some are the keys in your keyboard when the letter "t" is clicked wile in word document it
sends a signal to input that letter, also the "Ctrl + Alt + Del" buttons are clicked together it sends a signal to start up task manager on your system. Also mouse movements trigger a software routine that processes its actions to what the curse is doing on the display.
Re-worded text: When using Event Driven Programming, Event Handlers were created to start a certain activity whenever a certain event occurs. There are several event handlers, some examples include pressing a letter on the keyboard transmits a signal to the computer, causing that letter to appear on the screen when using a word-processing application eg Microsoft Office. Another example is when the Control+Alt+Delete keys and pressed in order, it starts the Task Manager in Windows. Moving the mouse also triggers the OS to
correspond to what the mouse pointer is doing on the screen.
Copied text: Many devices have trigger functions with a specific event that runs for it. For example automated doors have a sensor that when someone is in proximity of the sensor it sends a signal to open the doors, also at reading college they use chips in ID cards for when the card is touched to a reader by the entrance, it sends a signal to the collages database of whose card it is and if they have access to enter if test is passed the gate is unlocked letting the person in.
Re-worded text: Most electronic devices have a Trigger Function. Some examples include automatic doors. They have a detector that can sense when a person is nearby. It then transmits a signal to open up the doors. For security reasons, some colleges use microchips
in student ID badges. If a student wishes to enter the building, he/she must scan their card on a scanner at the doors. It then transmits a signal to the colleges computer system. The system then recognizes who it is and lets the student in.
Copied text: A petrol attendant performs the following actions when serving a customer:
greet customer
ask for required type of petrol and amount
ask whether customer needs other services
ask for required amount of money
give money to cashier
wait for change and receipt
give change and receipt to customer
say thank you and goodbye
A petrol attendant performs these steps for each customer, but he does not follow them when there is no customer to serve. He also only performs them when it is his shift. If we were to write a computer program to simulate this behaviour, it would not be enough just to provide the steps and ask the computer to repeat them over and over. We would also need to tell it when to stop executing them.
Re-worded text: A hotel attendant completes these activities in order when dealing with a guest:
1. Wait at reception
2. Greet guest
3. Enquire if they would like their luggage carried for them
4. Carry luggage to room.
5. Enquire whether the guest wants any other services
6. Show the guest around their room
7. Say goodbye
8. Go back to reception
A hotel attendant implements these tasks for every guest, however, when there isnāt a guest to assist, he doesnāt follow them. Additionally, he will only carry them out when he is at work.
Let's say we were going to create a computer program to replicate his conduct, it would be insufficient to only supply the different stages and then tell the computer program to carry out the same text again and again. The computer would also require to be told at what point to stop running the script.
Copied text: event driven programming is very suitable for graphic interfaces due to the range of event commands that are available which prove very compatible with graphic interfaces e.g. mouseover, keystroke, click or touch event the suitability of these events when using graphical buttons labels or textboxes is very effective.
Re-worded text: The suitability of Event Driven Programmes means that it is very useful for creating user interfaces. This is because of the wide variety of event commands that are obtainable. When utlizing objects such as text boxes, buttons or list boxes, these turn out to be really well-matched and powerful when it comes to creating graphical user interfaces.
Copied text: It is easy to develop using event driven programming because of certain debugging tools and being able to test the application by skipping certain parts of code for example you would like to test if a device will be able to read the data of a debit card and process a transaction. You will be able to skip the part where the card actually gets charged and complete the programs cycle.
Re-worded text: Creating an application using Event Driven Programming is simple. This is because the program contains debugging tools which allow you to test it by letting you bypass particular sections of the code.
An example of this would be if you were testing a gadget that has the ability to look at the info on a credit card and calculate a financial transaction. You can bypass the section where the credit card gets billed and finish the program loop.
Copied text: Event driven programming can be a lot easier and simple to use and to program as it is very visual, when creating things such as buttons you can simply just select it, place it onto a form and then just add code to the button so it has some use to the program, this makes it easier to use and more simple as you donāt need to write the code to create things like buttons, you just need to add code to them, this can also save a lot of time, makes programming simple and can make the development process easier.*Pre-written code can also be used, you can also select commands from drop down lists, which shows commands that can be used, this makes developing a program faster, simple and easier.
Re-worded text: When designing objects such as buttons, you can easily just drag it onto the form from the Toolbox and simply make code for the object so that it has a useful purpose. There is no requirement to write code to create objects such as textboxes, listboxes, or labels, just drag and drop them onto the form and add code so that they perform an action when the end-user clicks them. You can also use code that has been written by someone else as well.
Sources: (I have not actually referenced these in the assignment, I have just provided these so you know where I got the info from).
https://prezi.com/boitgjmuue42/key-features-of-event-driven-programming/https://python-textbok.readthedocs.io/en/1.0/Loop_Control_Statements.htmlhttps://prezi.com/kazk3ozh62wb/key-features-of-event-driven-programs/https://zakkcuthbertunit14eventdrivenprogramming.wordpress.com/2014/11/07/key-features-of-event-driven-programs/
http://reece-burrows-media.blogspot.com/2013/11/key-features-of-event-driven-programming.htmlAssignment 2 - (D1) In your report analyse the interpersonal and written communications you have used in this unit and other units criticising or justifying any actions that you took. Where you believe that you have made a mistake, state what alternative course of action you would take in the future.
Copied text: The sharing of information between individuals by using speech. Individuals working within a business need to effectively use verbal communication that employs readily understood spoken words, as well as ensuring that the enunciation, stress and tone of voice with which the words are expressed is appropriate.
Re-worded text: Verbal communication means the distribution of knowledge amongst people by means of dialogue. Anybody employed in a commercial environment requires to successfully convey spoken messages that uses easily assumed vocal sounds, in addition to certifying that the clarity, empahizaion and manner of voice in which the words are stated is correct.
Copied text: Nonverbal communication is the nonlinguistic transmission of information through visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic channels. It includes the use of visual cues such as body language, distance and physical environments/appearance, of voice and of touch.
Re-worded text: Nonverbal communication means communicating without speaking, instead transferring knowledge over optical, audio, and physical means. It contains the utilization of graphical signals for example, body language, space and tangble surroundings/presence, of speech and of contact.
Sources:
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/verbal-communication.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonverbal_communication