Is it time to keep blogs homework-free?

[jtbell]

go round the computer and look at the other side of the screen!

All I see there is a bunch of dust bunnies!

 

[Redbelly98]

All I see there is a bunch of dust bunnies!

That's us! We're all just a bunch of dust bunnies. You're the only real person at PF.

:Buwahahahahaha:

(edited post to correct spelling of "Buwahahahahaha" )

 

[Moonbear]

You went nuts … we're still here!

Hint: go round the computer and look at the other side of the screen!

All I see there is a bunch of dust bunnies!

Maybe I need to leave a few dust bunnies on the other side of my screen so the cat will chase those instead of my mouse pointer. It's hard reading the screen through a cat! (She's probably eyeing up Redbelly's and Tiny-Tim's avatars too. )

 

[Redbelly98]

It's hard reading the screen through a cat! (She's probably eyeing up Redbelly's and Tiny-Tim's avatars too. )

http://images.art.com/images/-/Mr-Bill---Ohh-Nooo-Magnet-C11751410.jpeg

 

[tiny-tim]

It's hard reading the screen through a cat! (She's probably eyeing up Redbelly's and Tiny-Tim's avatars too. )

Keep that cat away from me!
​

and my mouse! ​

oooh, that was scary!​

I notice that, in the non-homework forums, the Post New Thread page, just above the title frame, now has the bright red warning Do NOT post homework! Homework questions go here

Will this be done to the Post to your Blog page also (perhaps adding "or other help requests")?

… and how about, in the same place on the homework pages,
copying the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,
with, in big friendly red letters: DON'T PANIC! ? ​

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Will this be done to the Post to your Blog page also (perhaps adding "or other help requests")?

… and how about, in the same place on the homework pages,
copying the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,
with, in big friendly red letters: DON'T PANIC! ? ​

We have a similar notice on the blog post template.

 

[tiny-tim]

We have a similar notice on the blog post template.

Hi Greg!

No, all it says (https://www.physicsforums.com/blog_post.php?do=newblog), in ordinary small black, is "Title (NO HOMEWORK!)".

On the Post New Thread page, the equivalent line is "Title (be descriptive!)" … the big red notice is on a line above that.

 

[Redbelly98]

I agree with Tim. The (NO HOMEWORK!) message on the blogs is not nearly as noticeable as
Do NOT post homework! Homework questions go here
seen in the non-HW forums.

EDIT: changed size and color of messages to reflect actual appearance.

 

[tiny-tim]

four homework blogs yesterday

Yesterday (GMT), there were four homework blogs.

The only advantage of this is that we get to see multiple copies of Redbelly's avatar every day!

One disadvantage is that genuine blogs are much less likely to be viewed by people who will appreciate them, if everyone assumes they're just homework.

The fifth blog yesterday, by jal, is a proper blog (with two pretty diagrams ), but members can't tell that from the title, so are less likely to look at it.

(I think members can tell my blog isn't a homework blog! )​

and the problem is self-perpetuating, since the more new members see homework blogs, and particularly the featured ones, the more they'll be encouraged to post their own​

 

[Hootenanny]

An increasing number of students are posting their homework questions in their personal blogs rather than in the homework forums. Not only is posting homework in the blogs prohibited by the Physics Forums Global Guidelines, but it also makes it more difficult for our dedicated team of homework helpers to assist with queries. Not only this, but those who use the blogs for what they were intended for, i.e. as an online journal, find their entries are being 'drowned out' by homework questions.

Currently, members who post homework questions in the blogs are warned to repost their question in the appropriate homework forum. However, after discussion amongst the mentors it has been decided that any homework questions posted in the blogs will be deleted without notice. This will ensure that all students both adhere to the Global Guidelines and receive the high quality homework help that Physics Forums has become renowned for.

This policy is in effect immediately.

 

[Redbelly98]

Thank you to Hootenanny and the rest of the Mentor team.

I'll just add that anybody can report a HW blog post, by clicking the little yellow triangle at the lower-right of the blog entry. Members who could help in this way are actively getting the blogs cleaned up sooner.

 

[Evo]

Thank you to Hootenanny and the rest of the Mentor team.

I'll just add that anybody can report a HW blog post, by clicking the little yellow triangle at the lower-right of the blog entry. Members who could help in this way are actively getting the blogs cleaned up sooner.

Redbelly, you have been doing an awesome job. You've really gone above and beyond what's expected and you did it without being asked. If I had the power I would make you blog mentor. You are really deserving of recognition.

Until that happens, can I ask you to hit the report button on those homework blogs? That way we can enforce the new rule and hopefully point new members in the right direction.

 

[Redbelly98]

No problem.

Another possible issue is with blogs that are not homework, but are not "journal-like" either. These are the types of queries that most people normally post in the non-HW areas. But it's the same problem: few people who could answer such questions look in the blogs very often, so the question goes unanswered. And, it's clutter for people who like to read blog entries.

Is there a policy or guidelines about these non-HW question posts? Does the new delete policy apply to them?

 

[Hootenanny]

Another possible issue is with blogs that are not homework, but are not "journal-like" either. These are the types of queries that most people normally post in the non-HW areas. But it's the same problem: few people who could answer such questions look in the blogs very often, so the question goes unanswered. And, it's clutter for people who like to read blog entries.

Is there a policy or guidelines about these non-HW question posts? Does the new delete policy apply to them?

Feel free to report any inappropriate blog posts and we'll delete any unsuitable or misplaced posts as well as warning users not to post questions in the Blogs.

I'll also echo Evo's thanks for doing an excellent job in the Blog section.

 

[NeoDevin]

Isn't there any way to make Redbelly a blogmentor?

 

[tiny-tim]

Oh Moonbear, that's brilliant! …

No homework in blogs
Posted T at 08:39 PM by ashishraz
Updated T at 09:52 PM by Moonbear

Please write 10 times..."I will not post homework in blogs."

 

[Redbelly98]

That's pretty good. Within a couple more months, all these "no homework" edits will appear more frequently and prominently as featured blogs. Maybe more people will get the message before posting then.

 

[Redbelly98]

Just wanted to give a progress report of sorts on the whole inappropriate blogs issue.

The "question blogs" (HW or otherwise) are still trickling in, about 1 a day on average. I'm willing to continue checking on and reporting them, but at the same time I'll suggest 2 actions which could possibly alleviate this:

1. Get rid of the "Random featured blog entry" displayed on the blog main page. This often shows a HW (or similar) question, and sends the message that this is appropriate for blogs at PF. In other words, it encourages what we don't want.

2. In the row of links at the top of every PF page, move the "Blogs" link over to the "Quick Links" menu. First-time users will be less likely to find and post a question in the blogs, and experienced users will still have an easy link to the blogs.

If either of those items could be addressed, I think it could help in cutting down on the problem, not to mention the time spent by myself and the Mentors who respond to the reported blogs.

p.s., a belated thanks to NeoDevin for the compliment given me in Post #65!

 

[Evo]

1. Get rid of the "Random featured blog entry" displayed on the blog main page. This often shows a HW (or similar) question, and sends the message that this is appropriate for blogs at PF. In other words, it encourages what we don't want.

YES! I have started deleting those.

2. In the row of links at the top of every PF page, move the "Blogs" link over to the "Quick Links" menu. First-time users will be less likely to find and post a question in the blogs, and experienced users will still have an easy link to the blogs.

If either of those items could be addressed, I think it could help in cutting down on the problem, not to mention the time spent by myself and the Mentors who respond to the reported blogs.

That could help, or if we could fit in a link to "Forums", since a lot of posters aren't aware we have a forum.

 

[tiny-tim]

it isn't working

The system just isn't working.

New members are regularly posting homework blogs, coursework blogs, and academic-guidance blogs (4 today) which should all be on the forums.

And the supply of real blogs has almost dried up.

I suggest:

A threshold number of posts before a member can blog

Change the warning at the top from "Title (NO HOMEWORK!)" to Title (NO HOMEWORK OR OTHER REQUESTS FOR ACADEMIC HELP OR GUIDANCE!)

Delete infringing blogs immediately​

 

[Redbelly98]

Hi Tim!

The system just isn't working.

New members are regularly posting homework blogs, coursework blogs, and academic-guidance blogs (4 today) which should all be on the forums.

And the supply of real blogs has almost dried up.

I suggest:

A threshold number of posts before a member can blog​

Unfortunately, Greg has indicated he is unable to do that:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1886487&postcount=9

Your other ideas are good ones. I report the blogs when I see them, to bring it to the attention of the Mentors. But some days I forget to check.

 

[Kurdt]

I've noticed a lot of members that post questions in blogs never return to post in the forums once they've been directed there. I have no idea what these people are thinking. First of all their decision to use a blog over the forum (one tiny link compared to a whole page of forums) and why they don't come back. I'd love to know how they think.