I am pleased with my first year analytical students. Why am I pleased? On Thursday, we had a discussion about the honesty document (see previous posts). So? Well, … I have discussed this topic before and the student who did the work gave a presentation in a public forum. We discussed it in the second year course last semester. I have discussed it privately with colleagues and shared it with people in administrative positions. Reactions have included: hostility, scorn, mild interest (a secretary called to ask about the circumstances under which the study was done), and silence. This is the first time that anyone from any group has used words like “outrageous” and “ridiculous.” It is the first time that I really felt the response was appropriate to the subject. I have found a group able to see the ethics involved. Previously, I have gotten the impression that people are too heavily invested in the status quo to recognize the big picture, which is indeed “outrageous.”
This is not to say that all is perfect. Life never is. When I asked whether, based on their previous semester, they think their colleagues used “cookbooks.” There was much nervous laughter and a murmur in the lecture theatre. They understood what I was really asking.
But still, I am pleased with them. There is a clear and well developed ethical sense. I am looking forward to the semester and working with them.
1 comment:
i don't know how true this is but your response to cheating in the chemistry class may be because student of this year are major users of cookbooks. though this is only based on hearsay you may slso find that students from previous years willingly lend cookbooks ( in the case of chemistry)and old labs in the case of biology quite readily.
Cookbooks are used as a a form of security i.e the student will say i know with out a doubt i will pass course work and can devote more time to the exam or just relax or more time to dedicate to course where i cant use a cookbook ( but then and again there is always another studen that will "aid" me).
however next time, if ever , you give a surprise quiz or reask a question from a previous lab, note horror, shock and total blankness.
signed
the student who knows what students truely do....always one up on the professors...though some admit you are pretty good at the honesty thing.........
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