Click here to receive your FREE subscription to Campus Technology
News
Google Bans Ads from Essay-Writing Services
5/29/2007
Google said it would ban advertisements for essay-writing services in an effort to help cut down on campus plagiarism. As part of the ban, Google will not accept ads from companies that sell essays, theses, and dissertations.In the announcement, Google said it would "disallow ad texts and sites that promote academic paper-writing services and the sale of pre-written essays, theses and dissertations." Google said that the ban would be applicable across the global Google network.
The ban follows criticism from the academic community that Google was encouraging students to engage in plagiarism.
The change of policy means that services such as the essay-writing services will not be found under "sponsored links" on Google pages, or on any other sites that are part of the Google network.
The move is controversial, as are many Google announcements. In a random scan of tech blogs, there was no shortage of pros and cons:
"For the first time in a while, Google's demonstrated a commitment to their 'do no evil' statement," said VinceVinceVince on Webmasterworld.com. "Don't forget, this isn't a victimless crime, it's something which hurts every single person who has gone through their education without cheating."
But Jecasc, on the same site, expressed the views of many by writing, "So what's next? Banning ads for Harry Potter books on request of radical evangelicals?"
Read More:
Paul McCloskey is a contributing editor for the Campus Technology group of publications.
Cite this Site
copy text (above) for proper citation
Recommended Reading
- Microsoft Unveils Exchange and SharePoint as Services
Microsoft exec Stephen Elop on Monday announced two hosted solutions from Microsoft--Exchange Online and SharePoint Online--which are now available to organizations of all sizes in the United States. The software, paid for by annual subscriptions, is hosted on Microsoft's servers and supported by Microsoft's channel partners.
- 6 Ways Not To Become Rote Using Instructional Technology
There are, in my experience, six strategies to consider with any use of technology that will guard against rote use of technology and facilitate critical analysis of teaching and learning effectiveness. In this article, I'll share with you the checklist I work with and encourage others to work with in learning about and using new technology.
- Bringing Student Web "Stuff" to Campus Enterprise Systems
How can an institution incorporate Web 2.0 learning opportunities for students, and evidence of learning from those opportunities, into existing campus technologies and processes? PlugJam is providing part of the answer.
- Delta iTunes U Helps Meet Student Expectations for Web 2.0 Apps
As part of a strategy to meet students' expectations to experience interactive Web 2.0 applications in their learning environments, Delta College in Michigan launched an online Delta iTunes U site this fall.
- Tipping Point for "Content"--Dynamic Interaction, Not Static Stuff
The word "content," as used in education, is troublesome for many educators today who see education as a constructivist process, an interaction between knower and learner, and as a student-centered activity.
- Penn State Pilots Proctored Online Testing System from Kryterion
The Pennsylvania State University's World Campus and Kryterion have gone public with results of a pilot in which students completed proctored exams online using Webassessor Online Secured Testing. The technology is intended to deliver tests without the need for an in-room proctor present.
