Original works/Creativity

Original works to me is originality - one's own work (text,painting,computer image, mash-up!), not copied or reproduced, but novel. To have originality, a work must be distinguishable from others in its field - meaning another's idea can spark one's work, but should not be represented in it. We have to give credit where it is due, and if our work closely resembles someone else's, we must credit his/her work. The problem for most is where the line between resembles/not resembles exists - is it a number of logic equations that are the same/similar, is it a number of words, etc. 

With technology and an increase in computers on campuses, colleges have seen a huge rise in plagiarized college papers. "Cut and paste" sections of papers are worded "word for word" and no citations exist to credit the original writer. Is it truly that technology has made plagiarism easier, or is it that plagiarism is easier to "see" now - with computer programs that match plagiarized segments of papers. I think as long as one is willing to credit his/her sources, he/she is capable of being of original. 

Creativity is another piece of the puzzle, existing often hand-in-hand with originality. Creativity to me is the process of making something original, something new, something unique, something distinguishably different from other works. Again creativity can apply to text, artwork, computer programming, etc. How we assess creativity is whole different ball game! 

We push students to be creative and be original - but do we really have a way to assess it? Honestly, when reading 24 papers on the same topic, originality and creativity help papers stand-out from one another. A novel idea or recommendation in one paper "sticks out" from all the rest. I think creativity is something we "secretly" look for - not a designed set of criteria we are grading for. I encourage students to "go out on a limb", because most students are too afraid to tap into their creative side, for fear that it is not what the teacher expects. 

I think the electronic world allows for much creativity and originality - but the pen & paper world (or paintbrush & canvas world) will also be a haven for originality and creativity as well. I know for me, I better stick to the pen & paper - this mash-up/remix/re-use idea is WAY over my head!