Likewise, the use of computers for distance learning also raises issues of the relative quality of various academic programs since online programs are much less capable of being monitored and evaluated for quality and academic integrity than traditional "on-site" academic institutions (Trotter, 2008).
One of the negative consequences of the use of computers in education is that they can be misused as excuses for failing to complete and submit assignments on time in a digital-age form of the age-old "my dog ate my homework" story. Institutions of higher education (and high schools) try to counter this contingency by making sure that students understand that it is always their responsibility to maintain the necessary common sense protocols such as backup systems and files to minimize or prevent some of the most common problems capable of being caused by reliance on computer systems. However, it is probably impossible to rule out certain types of breakdowns that, if true, would (or should) be considered valid excuses for late assignments. On...
At some point, professors will always have to rely on their objective determination of whether or not specific excuses are likely to be true or untrue. In that respect, even the most advanced computer systems cannot change the fact that much of the basis of academic honesty and integrity is a matter of human action and personal values rather than technology.
References
Li, C, and Irby, B. "An overview of online education: attractiveness, benefits, challenges, concerns and recommendations" College Student Journal; Jun/08.
Trotter, a. "Voluntary Online Teaching Standards Come Amid Concerns over Quality"
Education Week; Mar 5/08.
