I believe that if you do someone's homework for them, you are hurting them. And yet, I don't feel that way about other questions.
Do other people consider this a problem?
Is there anything we can do as a community to prevent this kind of abuse here?
2007-05-01 04:09:24 · 15 answers · asked by Doc B 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Ultimately, I believe the onus is on the questioner to use information given to them in a responsible manner. It's simply not practical to try to second guess the motivations of all users. If someone asks for homework help and takes the time to understand and to learn from the responses they receive, then good for them; I'm happy to lend a hand. Or even two hands.
If, on the other hand, someone is just out to crib an answer without learning anything, then I have little problem with taking their 10 points, safe in the knowledge that their eventual failure under exam conditions will teach them a bigger lesson than simply telling them to 'Do your own homework!' ever could...
2007-05-01 07:37:31 · answer #1 · answered by MHW 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Answering the question is not as big a question of ethics as asking. It's possible that some of the math questions here are not homework, but legitimate problems people are trying to solve, or study questions for a test, or trivia-type questions from a calendar.
Asking someone to do your homework for you by posting the questions on a site like this is unethical and cheating, but consider - a cheater will find a way to cheat regardless.
If you're convinced that some of these questions are for homework, don't answer them. You can't change the person asking the question, and you can't make them act in an ethical manner.
2007-05-01 04:21:59 · answer #2 · answered by Becka Gal 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't consider it abuse, but, if you feel that strongly about it, then refuse to answer such questions.
As far as yahoo answers is concerned, it isn't a tutor-based site. It's a question and answer forum where you answer people's questions, no matter the reason behind them. The best thing you can do is to explain an answer as thoroughly as you can, step-by-step, because it might give the person asking for help a chance at understanding in how a problem, math or otherwise, can be handled.
2007-05-01 04:16:18 · answer #3 · answered by MaxS 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's a homework question, I never give the answer. I do try to help the person find the information that they need.
With mathematics, I set up the problem and give hints about how to solve. If feel that knowing the mechanics of a problem is more important than just having an answer. The answer is pointless if you don't know how to get there.
2007-05-01 04:13:49 · answer #4 · answered by Joy M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, I don't see what "we" can do. This is a free forum that's barely moderated, so there's really nothing that's stopping somebody from just giving the answers. Even worse, you don't need any kind of qualifications to answer any questions on any subject. That leads to frequent riduclous answers here like "Pi is 22/7" and "1 is a prime number".
I guess the best we can really do is be the best individual answerers we can be. That means thinking things through before posting, giving constructive answers, and refraining from answering questions we're not sure about. I'd also suggest giving people thumbs up and thumbs down as appropriate, and voting on undecided questions.
2007-05-01 04:21:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Like others said, I try to explain everything step by step. Sometimes I don't finish all of the work, but get it to a certain point and then say, "Ok now you can finish it."
Also, I ignore the ones that look like they were copied right from the homework sheet. I like to answer questions in which the person has started the problem, tells what he/she has done so far, and expresses where he/she got stuck.
2007-05-01 04:56:22 · answer #6 · answered by itsakitty 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I try to work people through questions when I answer them, so I at least feel like I'm explaining the process. I hate to give straight answers.
2007-05-01 04:11:21 · answer #7 · answered by Brian L 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I always explain my answers step by step. I try to help the person asking the question understand why the answer is correct, not just what the answer is.
2007-05-01 04:13:13 · answer #8 · answered by theoryofgame 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What I usually do, and I think others should do, is to give the person guidance on how to answer the question themselves and then let them get on with it.
I only give more full answers if there has already been a wrong one posted.
2007-05-01 05:40:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't feel like there is much of a problem because if the students are cheating on their home work and not really learining the material it will show at test time.
2007-05-01 04:18:24 · answer #10 · answered by bruinfan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋