I work at a math tutoring center. Sometimes we are deluged with students in "precalculus" with take home tests. At the top of the page is written "you may get help from any source available to you." I've seen my share of take home tests before but never one with such a disclaimer! Instead its "your work must be your own." The students remark that their teacher can do the math but can't explain it. Some don't even know how to begin, and few understand, or know how to complete or check their work. We tutors have to take them by the hand, and sometimes they simply copy what we have done onto their test paper. Now they have a "take home final" which is worth 60% of their final grade! I wonder, is this sort of testing becomming the usual at college level math? Is this what "results based education" has led us to? Or is this simply that teacher's way of covering himself because he cannot communicate understanding of math and he doesn't want to turn in a lot of failing grades?
2007-03-08 06:08:00 · 5 answers · asked by Joni DaNerd 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Not in my classroom! But I know that teachers are increasingly giving in to what they know to be happening anyway: students are getting outside help on take home work, whether they are allowed to or not. Some teachers are saying, the students are going to do it anyway, so why penalise the honest ones for being honest? Let anyone receive help.
I do give take home tests, but only if the material is too complicated to be tested well by an in-class exam. That way, students can think about their answers before writing down. I personally feel it's pretty easy to spot if a student's paper is his own work or not, so it would be foolish to try to trick me, but I make it clear that anyone may be called upon to explain an answer they have put down on the spot, so hopefully that puts a little fear into them.
I hear you, though. It's an evil that has crept into mathematics instruction, right up there with multiple choice computer graded tests, online courses, and ratemyprofessor.com.
2007-03-08 06:18:16 · answer #1 · answered by acafrao341 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My freshman year of college in pre calculus we had a take home test. This was because the averages for the other tests were so low, however this take home test was made extremely hard.
I have noticed in my college career thus far, that the teachers are so so advanced in math that they have a hard time relaying the message to the students in a way that is understandable to them. It says something about a math program when you attend a highly accredited university, the average of the first math test is a 26, yet somehow the whole class passes with C's and better.
2007-03-08 14:24:41 · answer #2 · answered by Melinda W. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.
How is the teacher going to know the student actually did the work?
I think the tests should be done in class. No exceptions.
2007-03-08 19:44:59 · answer #3 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have never seen it in the 6 years I have been in college. I think the instructor is doing the students a great disservice.
2007-03-08 14:16:30 · answer #4 · answered by justweird_sodeal 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hey! who is that prof? i wanna b n his class!
just jokin.
relly now. 1 prof givin out these cheatin tests in 1 class. hes just a cheatin prof. if this really wuz a new styl u'd c kids with cheatin tests n more subjects n comin from more classes. jus that 1 prof n that 1 precal class hes just a cheatin prof n hes not doin ne 1 ne good.
2007-03-08 23:00:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋