Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watnot!watmath!clyde!rutgers!lll-lcc!pyramid!fmsrl7!wayne
From: wayne@fmsrl7.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: Cheating on Programming Assignments
Message-ID: <843@fmsrl7.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-Apr-87 11:30:03 EST
Article-I.D.: fmsrl7.843
Posted: Fri Apr  3 11:30:03 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 5-Apr-87 03:00:52 EST
References: <248@rruxa.UUCP> <2625@phri.UUCP>
Reply-To: wayne@fmsrl7.UUCP (Michael R. Wayne)
Distribution: na
Organization: Ford Motor Company, Scientific Research Labs, Dearborn, MI
Lines: 19
Summary: To conspire or not?

Not that I want to start a major debate but what is the real problem
with students collaborating on programming assignments?  In the real
world, how many professional programmers are expected to develop code
without talking to another programmer? (Just look at usenet traffic.)
The exchange of ideas between students fosters a feeling of working
with co-workers, not competing with them (as opposed to "curving" exam
scores).

Methinx the real issue is that is is very difficult for the instructor
to grade N people working on a joint assignment. ("Not everyone did the
same amount of work, therefore they do not deserve the same grade.")
The same argument can apply to exams (I have actually had one exam
where the instructor said to "Use any method you wish to complete this
exam." and we did it as a group project.  Severe logistic problems,
it's not as easy as it first sounds!)
-- 
Michael R. Wayne	     Voice:  (313) 322-3986 |    philabs \    
Working at (but not employed by) Ford Motor Company |    pyramid  !fmsrl7!wayne
						    | ihnp4!mb2c /