A Strange Encounter in Online Education: Accusations of Plagiarism and Missing Instructions

Navigating the world of online education can be challenging, especially when misunderstandings arise. Recently, I faced a perplexing situation in one of my online courses that I believe serves as a cautionary tale for both students and educators alike.

The Accusation

A few days ago, I received a concerning email from my professor accusing me of plagiarism. The message claimed that I had submitted another student’s assignment under my name and threatened to escalate the issue to the dean of academics at my university. Initially, I was taken aback; I knew I hadn’t intentionally committed any academic dishonesty.

Upon seeking clarification, the professor reiterated her claim. The twist, however, was that I had indeed downloaded another student’s work, but not with the intent to deceive. As part of the assignment instructions, we were encouraged to share our work for peer review, with a specific line stating, “Post your assignment here so everyone can view your ideas.” Confusingly, I had downloaded a PDF from a fellow student to help guide my own writing.

After I completed my work and saved my PDF, I meant to upload my version but, inadvertently, attached the wrong document due to their similar names. This mix-up spiraled into a distressing interaction with my instructor.

Attempting to Clear My Name

In my effort to clarify the situation, I promptly emailed my professor with an apology and an explanation. I attached my actual assignment and included a screenshot of its metadata, which indicated the last modification date was prior to the assignment deadline. I even guided her on how to verify this data herself.

To my dismay, the professor’s response remained firm. She maintained that I would receive a zero for the assignment, stating I had “crossed a line” by using another student’s work as a model. Frustrated, I replied—politely, yet firmly—pointing out the instruction that had led to this misunderstanding.

However, as I was preparing to share my ordeal with friends, I noticed something alarming: the crucial sentence from the assignment instructions had been mysteriously removed from the submission page—less than ten minutes after I had referenced it in my email. It was concerning to think that the guidance supporting my reasoning could simply vanish in an attempt to cover up a mistake.

Seeking a Solution

Feeling pressured by the situation and the possible implications for my academic integrity, I considered reaching out