Plagiarism-proof Excel assignment
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| Format: | Recurso digital |
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Zenodo
2025
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| _version_ | 1866902269562191872 |
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| author | Chance, Michael |
| author_facet | Chance, Michael |
| contents | <p>This .xlsm Macro-enabled workbook is designed to solve three problems: </p> <ol> <li>plagiarism</li> <li>standardised assignment data resulting in identical student output</li> <li>inefficient assessment practices</li> </ol> <p>The educational goal of the assignment workbook is to give students the opportunity to develop and practice basic Excel skills (data manipulation / formatting, formula writing, chart creation) using realistic financial data. The student task is to use the provided data to produce an Income Statement, Balance Sheet, calculate a series of financial ratios, and produce two graphs based on the provided data.</p> <p>In previous years, a standard assignment was given to all students. This enables plagiarism among less motivated students because all student answers are identical, the only differences among student output are centered on formatting and presentation.</p> <p>In this version, the student experience is very different. First the student enters their Student ID number (7 digits) to the indicated cell on a dedicated worksheet. A "very hidden" calculation worksheet accepts that input and uses deterministic formulas to create realistic financial figures such as Revenue, Wages Expense, Cash, Rent payable, etc. The "Accounts Table" is populated with this realistic financial data that is unique to each student because it is based on their 7-digit student ID number as a seed value. Students then follow the embedded assignment instructions and produce an Income Statement, Balance Sheet, calculate financial ratios, and create two charts. </p> <p>To prevent students from sharing their work, a VBA code has been inserted in the workbook that locks / protects the workbook at the moment when the user enters their student ID number. From that point on, no other student ID may be entered, and no new calculations will be made by the workbook. The student may continue working on the assignment, but may not start over with a new student ID. Students may always download a fresh blank copy of the workbook if they want to start over.</p> <p>For assessment, an "Answer Key" worksheet can be copied into the student's submitted work. The Answer Key reads specific cells in the worksheet (e.g. Net Income, Total Assets, Total Liabilities + Shareholder Equity) and compares the offered answers to the predetermined correct answers which are based on the student's ID number. It also checks the four ratio answers and determines if formulas were used to calculate those ratios, as required by the assignment instructions.</p> <p>The real value of this tool is how it creates unique data sets for students while severely limiting the possibility of plagiarism.</p> <p> </p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_17238108 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | Plagiarism-proof Excel assignment Chance, Michael Excel plagiarism <p>This .xlsm Macro-enabled workbook is designed to solve three problems: </p> <ol> <li>plagiarism</li> <li>standardised assignment data resulting in identical student output</li> <li>inefficient assessment practices</li> </ol> <p>The educational goal of the assignment workbook is to give students the opportunity to develop and practice basic Excel skills (data manipulation / formatting, formula writing, chart creation) using realistic financial data. The student task is to use the provided data to produce an Income Statement, Balance Sheet, calculate a series of financial ratios, and produce two graphs based on the provided data.</p> <p>In previous years, a standard assignment was given to all students. This enables plagiarism among less motivated students because all student answers are identical, the only differences among student output are centered on formatting and presentation.</p> <p>In this version, the student experience is very different. First the student enters their Student ID number (7 digits) to the indicated cell on a dedicated worksheet. A "very hidden" calculation worksheet accepts that input and uses deterministic formulas to create realistic financial figures such as Revenue, Wages Expense, Cash, Rent payable, etc. The "Accounts Table" is populated with this realistic financial data that is unique to each student because it is based on their 7-digit student ID number as a seed value. Students then follow the embedded assignment instructions and produce an Income Statement, Balance Sheet, calculate financial ratios, and create two charts. </p> <p>To prevent students from sharing their work, a VBA code has been inserted in the workbook that locks / protects the workbook at the moment when the user enters their student ID number. From that point on, no other student ID may be entered, and no new calculations will be made by the workbook. The student may continue working on the assignment, but may not start over with a new student ID. Students may always download a fresh blank copy of the workbook if they want to start over.</p> <p>For assessment, an "Answer Key" worksheet can be copied into the student's submitted work. The Answer Key reads specific cells in the worksheet (e.g. Net Income, Total Assets, Total Liabilities + Shareholder Equity) and compares the offered answers to the predetermined correct answers which are based on the student's ID number. It also checks the four ratio answers and determines if formulas were used to calculate those ratios, as required by the assignment instructions.</p> <p>The real value of this tool is how it creates unique data sets for students while severely limiting the possibility of plagiarism.</p> <p> </p> |
| title | Plagiarism-proof Excel assignment |
| topic | Excel plagiarism |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17238108 |