COVID-19 is a recent—and ongoing—challenge to educational ethics and academic integrity. Though not even two years into the pandemic, educational ethics researchers have already found signs of increased unethical behavior—not to mention, higher levels of anxiety among students. But obstacles in this field are nothing new. In the past two decades, the proliferation of unethical academic services, contract cheating companies’ growing schemes, and the impact of digital technologies have all tested the discipline. How have challenges in the subject evolved alongside the academic landscape? What’s unique about the issues of today?

In this third episode of the series, Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton, Series Editor of Ethics and Integrity in Educational Contexts, reveals current challenges in the world of educational ethics. She dives into the sophistication of global contract cheating enterprises, as well as worrying trends of extortion and targeting younger students. Sarah also discusses the effects COVID-19 has had on integrity issues, and the potential for new, more flexible means of assessment in an online learning environment.

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