https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/06/college-students-professor-concerns-chatgpt/
Lawrence Shapiro’s article linked above expresses my position on plagiarism and students inclined to take shortcuts or cheat in general. They only hurt themselves and I am not going to spend my time chasing and correcting the student who chooses to take shortcuts when I can spend that time on the majority of students who truly want to learn what the knowledge and skills they need to enter and stay in law and justice careers.
The student inclined to take shortcuts has developed those habits in prior education long before reaching my class. More often than ever, students seem to come from a world where "extra credit" is mistaken for opportunities to earn make up points for work the student didn't complete in the first place. I spend far too much of my time explaining why this approach is unrealistic and non-existent in the real world. If you don't do the work, you don't get paid, you lose your job. You only get "extra credit" in the workplace if you are willing to do the work expected, plus extra work! These character and workplace expectations have always been part of the lesson plan in law and justice courses. There will always be a student or employee intent on looking for the shortcut around the time and effort necessary to learn or do what they will need to earn and keep a job in law and justice. It is human nature.
In most cases, the "shortcut student" ends up lost and in over his head. Internships, hiring practices that require intense written, psychological and job specific testing along with multiple interviews and background checks eliminate many of these individuals. Others wash out early when it is apparent that shortcuts aren't an option. Unfortunately, a handful get through and other people pay.
Citizens, clients, co-workers, employers and the public pay the price when the "shortcut student" becomes the "shortcut employee" in a law and justice career. This typically occurs when the processes and standards for entry aren't maintained or followed. It also occurs when we fail to police our own professions in law and justice. But because most law and justice careers come with codes of professionalism and conduct, licenses, certification, and oversight of the law with other agencies that regulate the employer and the focus of employment, fewer "shortcut students" actually become or survive as "shortcut employees". And if they do. Well shame on the employer.
I teach what a student should do to succeed in my class and into and their intended career path. I explain why shortcuts won't serve the student, short and long term. As I approach 30 years of teaching the law, I don't lose any sleep over the student who intends to stay on the shortcut path. I need that every bit of that sleep to serve and support the students who want to earn the ability to serve their community in law and justice.
