3 ms·

> I found out the old teacher had given the same test for a number > of years and every Greek / Club on campus had copies. Oops. I think this is true of a

by kwantam 16y ago

> I found out the old teacher had given the same test for a number > of years and every Greek / Club on campus had copies. Oops. I think this is true of a lot of frats and clubs: there's the "course bible" that you consult for help with your psets. I don't know about your class, but when I've taught classes we had a very clear policy with respect to bibles: if you're copying your answers out of a bible, you're cheating, period. There's nothing wrong with using previously-distributed material to help you study. There is something wrong with copying answers from an old test. There is also an obvious difference between the two, namely, one helps you learn the material, the other only helps you get a passing grade.

protomyth 16y ago
I really didn't have a dispute with the using of the old tests to study, but it probably would have helped them if they had realized that the tests they were studying had nothing to do with the current course. I changed my tests each semester expect for the first two questions of the final (write an insert sort and a selection sort). I figured it was just good form to change the tests as you might have learned something as an instructor from the previous year or had different programming assignments. Story part 2: Three classes before the final I announced that the first two questions would be the two sorts we covered. I reminded the classes and wrote them on the board for the next two classes (it was kinda important they learn those for reasons I really don't remember). I arrived early for the final and was asked, in a joking manner, "What's on the test". I read the first two questions. I am pretty sure I allowed a 3x5 card for notes. I had a space for comments at the end of the test. A senior from another major (engineering) wrote a rather pointed opinion on giving out the answer to the first two questions and how I babying the freshman. It was rather good (if insulting) reading and "had a lot of energy" as the other TA said. She sheepishly came to apologize the next day (I think she hoped I hadn't read it yet). I told her she had got her "A" but that she needn't have worried as no freshman answered the first two questions correctly. So, knowing the answer before hand relies on knowing.

by kwantam 16y ago

protomyth 16y ago

I really didn't have a dispute with the using of the old tests to study, but it probably would have helped them if they had realized that the tests they were studying had nothing to do with the current course. I changed my tests each semester expect for the first two questions of the final (write an insert sort and a selection sort). I figured it was just good form to change the tests as you might have learned something as an instructor from the previous year or had different programming assignments. Story part 2: Three classes before the final I announced that the first two questions would be the two sorts we covered. I reminded the classes and wrote them on the board for the next two classes (it was kinda important they learn those for reasons I really don't remember). I arrived early for the final and was asked, in a joking manner, "What's on the test". I read the first two questions. I am pretty sure I allowed a 3x5 card for notes. I had a space for comments at the end of the test. A senior from another major (engineering) wrote a rather pointed opinion on giving out the answer to the first two questions and how I babying the freshman. It was rather good (if insulting) reading and "had a lot of energy" as the other TA said. She sheepishly came to apologize the next day (I think she hoped I hadn't read it yet). I told her she had got her "A" but that she needn't have worried as no freshman answered the first two questions correctly. So, knowing the answer before hand relies on knowing.