Pivot to online in a post-COVID-19 world: critically applying BSCS 5E to enhance plagiarism awareness of accounting students

Abstract

Teaching and assessment practices rapidly moved online as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic. Academic integrity is paramount for the credibility and reputation of educational institutions regardless of their teaching modality. Students commit plagiarism when they copy, borrow, or steal others’ work, without properly acknowledging their source(s). Especially in online environments, accounting students frequently fall prey to plagiarism and, as a result, transgress the fundamental values of integrity and honesty that should be deep-rooted in accountants. It is, therefore, critical that educators increase their students’ plagiarism awareness and understanding. Drawing on the findings of conceptual, literature review-based research, the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study 5E (BSCS 5E) instructional model is applied as a frame of reference for accounting educators to promote their students’ awareness of plagiarism while concomitantly enhancing their twenty-first-century skills. Both theoretical and practical contributions are envisaged through the application of this constructivist, student-centred approach.