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I have to wonder if those posting solutions on github are actually doing it in an effort to cheat. I made a similar mistake recently with a project I completed

I have to wonder if those posting solutions on github are actually doing it in an effort to cheat. I made a similar mistake recently with a project I completed in my computer architecture course. When the professor contacted me about it, it seemed obvious. But at the time, all I was thinking about was "yay, public code!" Obviously, I took it down right away. I wonder how many people are doing the same thing. Cheating a Coursera course just doesn't make much sense.

jordanthoms 14y ago
If it's your work, you own the copyright, and it's totally within your rights to make it publicly available.
- eneveu 14y ago
  It would be cool if we could upload our private Git repo on Github once the course is finished. But I guess they might want to re-use the assignments next year...
- heyitsnick 14y ago
  What does the copyright of the code and legality have to do with the issue being discussed?
- alexkus 14y ago
  That's true, but doing so is a breach of the code of conduct you agreed to when signing up for the course. So, whilst you cannot be prevented from posting it somewhere public, you can (theoretically) be thrown off the course for doing so.
- mikecaron 14y ago
  Sure, but if it's against school policy, the school has the right to expel you. Coursera is not taking the public code down, the owner is, at the coercion of the school. The student is making a value decision: continue the course or take my code down. If you can't play by the rules, you can't be in the game. I think there's a unique opportunity for GitHub here. They could give an educational license to verified students in college/high-school/on-line schools. For the duration of their class, they can have as many private repos as they like. When the semester ends, you've got a week to grab your code before it goes public, like a free account. First, it would get students used to GitHub and they would clammer for it in the workplace because they love it so much; Second, it would position GH as a great supporter of education.
  - jtbigwoo 14y ago
    When the semester ends, you've got a week to grab your code before it goes public, like a free account. I suspect this would catch on better if the repos were destroyed or stayed private. Professors reuse assignments year after year and wouldn't be too happy about public solutions to all their past assignments.
    - Inufu 14y ago
      At least in my university solutions to all past problems are posted anyway, we even have our own wiki for it. I imagine it's similar in other universities. (fwiw, I use Github exactly in this way, only with public repos)
  - jasonkeene 14y ago
    Github already offers free micro plan (5 private repos) for verified students. Unlimited private repos is a rather big hammer and might attract abuse. edit for link: https://github.com/edu https://github.com/edu
    - winter_blue 14y ago
      Thanks a lot for that! This has come really useful. I just finished up this summer, but my .edu address still works! This is awesome! :)
    - DennisP 14y ago
      If you're on Coursera there's a good chance you don't have a .edu address. Maybe Coursera should host private repos?
  - vyrotek 14y ago
    BitBucket offers free private repos. https://bitbucket.org/plans https://bitbucket.org/plans Edit- Apparently BitBucket launched a new version of their site only moments after sharing this link. Looks great!
    - 14y ago
- recursive 14y ago
  And it's within their rights to expel you from the course.
- segmond 14y ago
  it seems so on this site like to argue just for the sake of argue. who is saying anything about rights? sure, it's his work, it's his right do anything he wishes, and he will be expelled. the course doesn't mind you sharing your code, just wait till the class is over. share and risk getting expelled.
- ramblerman 14y ago
  What a stupid, overly defensive sentiment. That's like using free speech as a motivation to tell your boss to "Go fuck himself"
- Garoof 14y ago
  Not that this is very relevant to begin with or anyhing. But as a side note, in this course the solutions tend to be mostly code written by Coursera course people, with some small parts written by the students.
andrewcooke 14y ago
i imagine they weren't. the people submitting copies, however...
ipince 14y ago
I (unknowingly) posted my code for the class on Github. As you point out, I did it with the "yay public code" mindset, not thinking about cheating at all. I'm taking it down right now and apologizing to the Coursera staff.

jordanthoms 14y ago

If it's your work, you own the copyright, and it's totally within your rights to make it publicly available.

eneveu 14y ago
It would be cool if we could upload our private Git repo on Github once the course is finished. But I guess they might want to re-use the assignments next year...
heyitsnick 14y ago
What does the copyright of the code and legality have to do with the issue being discussed?
alexkus 14y ago
That's true, but doing so is a breach of the code of conduct you agreed to when signing up for the course. So, whilst you cannot be prevented from posting it somewhere public, you can (theoretically) be thrown off the course for doing so.
mikecaron 14y ago
Sure, but if it's against school policy, the school has the right to expel you. Coursera is not taking the public code down, the owner is, at the coercion of the school. The student is making a value decision: continue the course or take my code down. If you can't play by the rules, you can't be in the game. I think there's a unique opportunity for GitHub here. They could give an educational license to verified students in college/high-school/on-line schools. For the duration of their class, they can have as many private repos as they like. When the semester ends, you've got a week to grab your code before it goes public, like a free account. First, it would get students used to GitHub and they would clammer for it in the workplace because they love it so much; Second, it would position GH as a great supporter of education.
- jtbigwoo 14y ago
  When the semester ends, you've got a week to grab your code before it goes public, like a free account. I suspect this would catch on better if the repos were destroyed or stayed private. Professors reuse assignments year after year and wouldn't be too happy about public solutions to all their past assignments.
  - Inufu 14y ago
    At least in my university solutions to all past problems are posted anyway, we even have our own wiki for it. I imagine it's similar in other universities. (fwiw, I use Github exactly in this way, only with public repos)
- jasonkeene 14y ago
  Github already offers free micro plan (5 private repos) for verified students. Unlimited private repos is a rather big hammer and might attract abuse. edit for link: https://github.com/edu https://github.com/edu
  - winter_blue 14y ago
    Thanks a lot for that! This has come really useful. I just finished up this summer, but my .edu address still works! This is awesome! :)
  - DennisP 14y ago
    If you're on Coursera there's a good chance you don't have a .edu address. Maybe Coursera should host private repos?
- vyrotek 14y ago
  BitBucket offers free private repos. https://bitbucket.org/plans https://bitbucket.org/plans Edit- Apparently BitBucket launched a new version of their site only moments after sharing this link. Looks great!
  - 14y ago
recursive 14y ago
And it's within their rights to expel you from the course.
segmond 14y ago
it seems so on this site like to argue just for the sake of argue. who is saying anything about rights? sure, it's his work, it's his right do anything he wishes, and he will be expelled. the course doesn't mind you sharing your code, just wait till the class is over. share and risk getting expelled.
ramblerman 14y ago
What a stupid, overly defensive sentiment. That's like using free speech as a motivation to tell your boss to "Go fuck himself"
Garoof 14y ago
Not that this is very relevant to begin with or anyhing. But as a side note, in this course the solutions tend to be mostly code written by Coursera course people, with some small parts written by the students.

andrewcooke 14y ago

i imagine they weren't. the people submitting copies, however...

ipince 14y ago

I (unknowingly) posted my code for the class on Github. As you point out, I did it with the "yay public code" mindset, not thinking about cheating at all. I'm taking it down right now and apologizing to the Coursera staff.