Is Cheating in Class Assignments OK?

[caljuice]

So I have in-class assignment every week. The questions on it are some of the challenge questions in textbook. I found the complete solution online so I try to do all the questions before the class to get ready. Since I know the correct answer and everything before doing it in class, is it considered cheating?

 

[rewebster]

so, if you didn't find the solutions on line, what would you do?


(so, I would say, yes)

 

[lisab]

If I were in your situation, I'd bring it to the attention of your instructor that the answers are available online.

Then if the instructor doesn't change the assignment, it's ok (but a bit shady).

But if you don't tell about it, then I'd say yes that's cheating.

 

[magpies]

Nope not cheating. It's only cheating if it hurts you.

 

[Office_Shredder]

Do these count towards your final grade?

 

[mgb_phys]

And is this just the answer - so you have to work out the method and the online resource is just confirming your result, or is it a step-step worked example that you are just copying out?

 

[caljuice]

so, if you didn't find the solutions on line, what would you do?(so, I would say, yes)

I would still do the questions before class. I'd just have to pray I'm right.

Nope not cheating. It's only cheating if it hurts you.

I like this logic.

Do these count towards your final grade?

And you it counts towards my final grades.

And is this just the answer - so you have to work out the method and the online resource is just confirming your result, or is it a step-step worked example that you are just copying out?

It has most of the work, not just the answer. I'm not copying, I do the question all on my own. I can't whip out the solution manual during the class. I use it to double check my work. If I'm wrong i'll try again till I get it or use the solution manual to point me in the right direction.

 

[Dadface]

You are depriving yourself of the opportunity to practise questions under exam conditions and you are giving your instructors a false impression of your abilities.How is this going to help you, for example in your finals.Yes it is cheating and the main person you're cheating is yourself.

 

[magpies]

Ok so I see the problem... You are not sure your problems are right so that means you have not learned how to self check them. I would complain to your teacher that they need to teach the class how to self check problems. Then you will no longer need to worry about if you got it right or not.

 

[Proton Soup]

you should attempt the problems on your own first.

as for questions online, you can blame lazy teachers for much of this (assuming you think it's a problem). pearson et al. are making the lives of teachers easier by providing "test banks" for their texts. and even for the computer-generated ones where the variables are changed, the questions are basically the same, even if the outcome is different.

 

[Chi Meson]

Is this high school or college?

I can answer from the perspective of a high school teacher:

If you are actually working through the challenge problems of the textbook, all of them, on a regular basis, that would put you way ahead of 99% of the student body. Even if you are checking the solved problems online, you are giving yourself a lot of experience in all the variations of problem solving. More experience is better. If you can manage to recall the methods of solutions to any of the challenge problems, then I would give you (limited) credit.

But if you are in college, and especially 2nd year or up, I'd think that you are getting by with a loophole. If this is the case, then I agree with lisab.

Go to the instructor and ask him: "Did you know that all the solutions are posted online?"

He/she could say "Yes I do." And if he leaves it at that, you are free to go.

If he goes "They ARE? You're JOKING!NFW!" Then at least you score a point for honesty.

 

[Jerbearrrrrr]

Isn't this just like revising? Do you know exactly which problem will come up?
If, at the end of the day, you have to learn how to solve each problem...then the assignment is doing to you what it's meant to do anyway.

 

[shoehorn]

Here's a valuable lesson that applies far beyond this particular situation: it's cheating only if you get caught. The wisest course of action, particularly given that you've already handed in assignments based on solutions you've found online, is to keep your mouth shut.

I really see very little that's ethically questionable if you are using the solutions to help you understand the subject better. Of course, if you're just copying them verbatim and not putting any thought into what you're writing, then it'll come back to bite you in the *** come the examinations or if you're asked by your instructor why your solutions are identical to ones he's found online.

 

[Dickfore]

It's not cheating. Whatever was done before class does not matter. For all they know, you might have had that course before, but you hadn't been allowed to waive it off.

 

[DaveC426913]

it's cheating only if you get caught.

This is absolutely deplorable. Shame.


Character is who you are when no one is looking.

 

[shoehorn]

This is absolutely deplorable. Shame.

Deplorable? Don't be silly.

 

[magpies]

No I agree its absolutely deplorable.

 

[Proton Soup]

Deplorable? Don't be silly.

there are certainly times when it is preferable to keep your mouth shut

 

[DaveC426913]

No I agree its absolutely deplorable.

Not sure where you stand after your comment:

It's only cheating if it hurts you.

 

[lisab]

I'm honestly amazed at how many people are writing in saying it's not cheating. Wow.

And yes, "it's cheating only if you get caught" is truly a deplorable attitude.

 

[DaveC426913]

Deplorable? Don't be silly.

The whole world now knows that you cannot be left alone in their living room, for you will pilfer the silverware.

 

[magpies]

I ment cheating yourself. I guess I should say this all my posts are ment to be deeply philosophical on many levels.

 

[shoehorn]

The whole world now knows that you cannot be left alone in their living room, for you will pilfer the silverware.

Well, that would be more stealing than cheating, which, although equally subjective, is a different kettle of fish entirely.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

It sounds like OP is just saying that he studies the material before class, checking his work against the answers he found online, and then is capable of completing the assignment on his own in class. Or maybe I am missing something. If that's the case I am not sure how that is cheating.

 

[DaveC426913]

Well, that would be more stealing than cheating, which, although equally subjective, is a different kettle of fish entirely.

Nope. A person that believes rules only apply when someone's looking is a person that believes rules only apply when someone's looking.

Philosophically, they have no internal moral compass and rely on others to police them.

 

[shoehorn]

Nope. A person that believes rules only apply when someone's looking is a person that believes rules only apply when someone's looking.

Philosophically, they have no internal moral compass and rely on others to police them.

Again, you're being silly. Indeed, now you're winking suggestively at outright idiocy.

 

[lisab]

Nope. A person that believes rules only apply when someone's looking is a person that believes rules only apply when someone's looking.

Philosophically, they have no internal moral compass and rely on others to police them.

ah...Dave when I read the post you quoted, my first two things in my head were, "Nope" and "no moral compass".

 

[magpies]

Actually the cheating kettle fish exists in the same lake as the stealing one.

 

[shoehorn]

I, for one, think there's great promise in these aquatic metaphors.

 

[Proton Soup]

It sounds like OP is just saying that he studies the material before class, checking his work against the answers he found online, and then is capable of completing the assignment on his own in class. Or maybe I am missing something. If that's the case I am not sure how that is cheating.

also, i think the primary motivation for this kind of weekly assignment is to keep students from getting behind in their studies.