Off-Topic

[Majingir]

re: Off-Topic

I agree that too many tests are lazily written and just rely on memorization rather than testing core concepts, but as much as it's out-of-fashion to test rote/drill processes, there are certain things that simply require it. To take a pretty basic example, there's no way to learn/test multiplication other than memorizing the multiplication tables. However, you can't really do much further learning about math until you have a fluid, working memorization of the multiplication tables. Similar to language and alphabets. Some things just need to be memorized.

But I agree that not everything should be tested as a memorization exercise; the problem is that testing concepts and true deeper evaluation of understanding is difficult and requires a really smart/committed teacher/test-writer.

Something like math does need memorization, but things like formulas shouldn't have to be memorized (talking advanced math here). Even stuff like history and english need to be memorized.

But in other classes, where it seems like the tests are nothing but definition based multiple choice stuff, that's just ridiculous/lazy. Especially when you can google the answer and find the same question word for word online, meaning that 0 thought was put into the test. They simply just grabbed this from a test bank and put it on the test, regardless if they taught it or not.


People won't/shouldn't often cheat if they're trying to go from a 75 to 85% or something, but if you're struggling in a class and want to make sure you pass(or just take off pressure on the final test) then cheating does become an option.

[WaitTilNextYear]

re: Off-Topic

I feel like teachers in general take cheating way too serious.

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This is part of the problem. Unfortunately some teachers don't take it seriously enough. In the long term, students pay the price for any skills they end up not building, creativity they end up not tapping into, and hardships they end up not experiencing. When they're coasting/cheating instead of growing up, that is.

[Blzer]

re: Off-Topic

I'll get to the cheating stuff later, but I want everyone to know that any derivation of the root word "memorize" is taboo in my class. I hate memorization almost more than I hate cheating! I don't teach math through memory, ever. Everything has a proof and everything is logical, or is learned through practicality until it's simply understood (I consider "memorization" to be that rote, shallow approach where it's only known at the surface level).

I love the idea of open-note tests and resources and such. When I'm able to write the tests I do exactly that. I even do take-home tests that require them to write, like not compute but to explain/analyze/reason.

[countryboy]

re: Off-Topic

My motto in school/college if you aren’t cheating you aren’t trying


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[pietasterp]

re: Off-Topic

I think we just view the profession from different perspectives. I'm not saying a kid can't catch a consequence. I just don't understand how some take it personal.

I always thought my teachers that went on rants about how bad cheating is were either hypocrites or cornballs. I'm telling this kid in front of me how cheating will never get you anywhere in life while they turn on the TV and see their favorite athlete, musician, and actor get caught cheating one way or another.

I'm not encouraging it or even saying let it go, I just feel like the basic "right vs wrong" lecture doesn't work like that anymore.

Maybe it doesn't work like that anymore, but it should....I think not cheating is about personal integrity, it's not a results-oriented argument. But this is really just an argument in the realm of philosophy and ethos, and that being the case I won't spend more time disagreeing on an opinion-based issue. I just shudder at a society that has zero shared ethics, and despite what people who trade in hyperbole might say, we aren't quite there yet. If/when we do get there....

I'll get to the cheating stuff later, but I want everyone to know that any derivation of the root word "memorize" is taboo in my class. I hate memorization almost more than I hate cheating! I don't teach math through memory, ever. Everything has a proof and everything is logical, or is learned through practicality until it's simply understood (I consider "memorization" to be that rote, shallow approach where it's only known at the surface level).

I love the idea of open-note tests and resources and such. When I'm able to write the tests I do exactly that. I even do take-home tests that require them to write, like not compute but to explain/analyze/reason.

Yeah, for sure, but my suspicion is you're teaching a higher level of math than base-level, which basically requires the "M"-word. Once you have a group of students with a base-level working knowledge of the language, then you can start teaching at a higher level. You can't teach Shakespeare to kids who can't spell....

[l3ulvl]

re: Off-Topic

...most concise distillation of the zeitgeist...

my new favorite phrase

[Speedy]

re: Off-Topic

I'll get to the cheating stuff later, but I want everyone to know that any derivation of the root word "memorize" is taboo in my class. I hate memorization almost more than I hate cheating! I don't teach math through memory, ever. Everything has a proof and everything is logical, or is learned through practicality until it's simply understood (I consider "memorization" to be that rote, shallow approach where it's only known at the surface level).

I love the idea of open-note tests and resources and such. When I'm able to write the tests I do exactly that. I even do take-home tests that require them to write, like not compute but to explain/analyze/reason.

I think that's a great way to teach, Blzer...show kids how to look at each circumstance, think of all angles and surmise a practical solution that can be explained and is the most logical answer. My 10th grade english teacher taught like this and I HATED her class...she forced me to stop and think about the question, think about all angles and the subsequent consequence for each action then provide an answer. I realize now how much she helped to change my thinking.

[Caulfield]

re: Off-Topic

My motto in school/college if you aren’t cheating you aren’t trying



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my motto is ''it aint cheating if you dont get caught''.

[Majingir]

re: Off-Topic

Baby shopping already looks like it'll be stressful lol. And I'm getting stuff simply for babysitting purposes for whenever I have to do so (thankfully all I really have to worry about are the main things like playard/car seat/stroller and that's it. The rest like toys/games don't require much thought)

Saw something I was ready to buy, decided to "wait until later" since I had things to do in afternoon. Came back, went to buy it and it's already sold out! Guess this might actually be something I'll have to check regularly on to see what stores have.


Either that, or eventually go the friend/family route and see who has stuff they don't want. I'm sure people probably will start offering stuff eventually once time gets closer.

[countryboy]

re: Off-Topic

Today would've been my Mom's 65th birthday. This day has been harder than I thought it would be.

[LowerWolf]

re: Off-Topic

Today would've been my Mom's 65th birthday. This day has been harder than I thought it would be.

Anniversaries like that are always tough for me. Hang in there, CB.

[Caulfield]

re: Off-Topic

this pitcher for the Cardinals, Ponce De Leon, reminds me that I wish they'd make another Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones & the Fountain of Youth. Though I feel they already filmed part of it with the ending of Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade.

[ImTellinTim]

re: Off-Topic

The movie Ponce de Leon already exists in the Seinfeld universe. Other classics include Sack Lunch, Rochelle Rochelle, and of course Prognosis Negative.

[WaitTilNextYear]

re: Off-Topic

The movie Ponce de Leon already exists in the Seinfeld universe. Other classics include Sack Lunch, Rochelle Rochelle, and of course Prognosis Negative.

I'd love to get a bootleg of this one.

[Caulfield]

re: Off-Topic

I'd love to get a bootleg of this one.

the bootleg of Cry, Cry Again was MUCH better, if you can stomach the dance sequence.