The challenges of learning in the internet age
- March 6, 2008 11:50 AM |
- By Pete Nowak
By Peter Nowak, CBCNews.ca
A first-year computer engineering student at Ryerson is in serious hot water for running a Facebook group that the university says helped him cheat at chemistry. The student, Chris Avenir, is defending himself by saying the Facebook operation was merely an online study group, no different from ones that exist and meet offline. Avenir is facing an expulsion hearing on Tuesday and the issue is sure to get a lot of attention, because it raises a number of questions about how the internet is issued by students.
Both sides have a point. The university argues that homework questions in the chemistry class were to be done independently, so any sort of collaboration to find answers online constitutes cheating. Avenir argues that if that's the case, then the tutoring and mentoring programs the university runs are also cheating. Touché.
The bigger issue revolves around the challenges faced by schools in the internet age. Cheating has been around for as long as learning has (cavemen children probably chiseled answers to questions onto small granite slabs, which they would then sneak into exams hidden in their fur togas), but it's probably never been easier to do it.
Sure, essay-writing services and other cheating methods were available well before the internet but with social networking and file-sharing, students now can get just about any question answered or assignment written instantaneously, and for free. How do schools keep students from taking the easy way out? And on the other side of things, when does a student cross the line from doing legitimate research online to cheating?
About the Authors
- Tara Kimura
is a multimedia producer for CBCNews.ca.
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Comments (8)
While I can agree with Avenir's case that tutoring and mentoring programs can also constitute cheating, the point is actually quite simple:
Did Avenir credit his sources when it came to assistance?
I believe that if a student gets assistance with a problem, and then properly credits the source (allowing for full verification that excessive collaboration has not taken place), then this is OK. Should a student be unable to prove that the work is their own (i.e. there is sufficient evidence to prove that plaigiarism/excessive collaboration took place), then they deserve to have the book thrown at them.
What has our world come to? I think that this is disgusting and makes me outraged. This kind of study group SHOULD be encouraged in our youth, NOT punished! Students working together and achieving a greater understanding for the work is what we need in society, and should be taught and encouraged. If the "online homework questions were to be done independently", then so be it, and all of the students would be aware that they were cheating so they should all be charged equally, not just one! Expelled...how insane. How was this any different from a study group or tutor? Brainstorming is NOT cheating...lets get real here!
Okay, so were they sharing answers to actual assigned work, or were they helping each other with study questions? There is a difference between a 'study group' that help people prepare for tests, and a bunch of people sharing assignment answers.
We need more information!
As a student at a post secondary institution, I am shocked at Ryerson's attitude towards online study groups.
At our school, we have online study groups that are not only supported by our professors, but set up and maintained by them. Granted, not on Facebook.
Our school acknowledges that not everyone can make it to "in person" study groups (due to family obligations, jobs etc.)
I make full use of these resources. As an adult student, with a family at home, these "online study groups" have been incredibly helpful to me. Often, I have already completed the assignment, but like to check my work with other students, to ensure that I'm on the right track. Most often, we don't even post answers, just how to do them. (the proper formula to use for example) Our professors are active in the groups as well, and will often reply to our questions personally.
Perhaps this is the difference?
Although many people have brought up very valid points, like mt said, the decision lies on how this study group was conducted. There is still too many non answered questions for anything to happen so far or even to come up with an opinnion.
This kind of tutoring should most definitley be encouraged in highschools, but at the same should be moderated by a teacher or parent, as the kids could just simply post answers. This is a brillant way to use technology to our advantage. Having the teachers moderating the group would be convienent not just for the student but the teacher as well, as the only have to log on to facebook, and help students from the comfort of their home.
Mark T has got the answer.. I wonder if he used an online study group to get it though...
There isn't enough information on CBC to have a valid opinion one way or the other - if he basically asked people in this group to do problems for him then I don't see how he can justify this as not cheating.
I'm sure more facts will become available after this expulsion hearing.
TEACHER LEAVE THEM KIDS ALONE YOUR JUST ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL !! One would have to ask was it a take home exam?