Direct answers with no explanation to questions that are *obviously* students "shortcutting" on their hmwk...

Question

I've noticed, especially in the science and mathematics category (and the sub-categories), a disturbingly high incidence of questions being asked that are blatantly obviously copied from a homework assignment, being answered directly and without explanation.

Do you think it's right to just give these answers? When I answer these questions, I provide explanations and rarely give the "answer" (being the numerical bottom-line), and by the time I have posted several other people have done exactly that.

Answer 1

I agree and it angers me.When I was a kid this was called CHEATING. There are some questions on here are absolutly copied out of a text book. I understand why kids need "help" and I am offering to help them understand it better but I won't give them the straight out answers.

Answer 2

Agree, but I also am impressed that they take the time to do this and try to look, so many neglect it altogether. Besides homework wont be the only grade, normally the quizzes and tests are. I like giving links as they have to read for the answers

Answer 3

I agree with you totally, and have been thinking of posting the same question.    If I answer these homework questions at all, I just give clues to solve the problems or questions, or suggest that the askers use the internet to look up reference material.   It's too bad that so many others just give the answers.    I think it makes them feel good that they know how to do the problems, even though they may just be very simple or may be just equations or questions involving simple formulas that the asker should be able to do himself if he isn't brain dead.

Answer 4

No kidding! I really hope these kids aren't going to be engineers or doctors, because I wouldn't want some kid who can't figure out F=ma doing my knee surgery; nor would I want to drive over a bridge designed by an idiot who can't do free-body diagrams.

The only way to really learn the stuff is to slog through it yourself. I think an explanation is sometimes a very useful thing, but as far as point-blank answers...it's cheating, and unfair to the kids who really did work hard.

Answer 5

I agree. It is really annoying, I mean I wish that they would at least just keep them in the homework help section. I used to answer them, but then got thinking that it is cheating really. The only thing that makes me feel better is that if you don't do the work yourself (science and math esp) you won't be able to do it properly on tests and exams.

    But ya, it really isn't fair to the kids doing the assignments themselves, but these kids are really just cheating themselves. Just wait until they get a job in the real world and don't have a clue, they really won't get far. Especially with their lack of work ethic!

Answer 6

I dont agree with it either but it shouldnt bother you, if the people want to get through there work and not learn anything its there fault. I belive yahoo answers is owned by mac donalds, it breeds stupid kids that go on to work in the mac donalds restuarants.

Answer 7

There is a lot of variation. Some questioners just want a check on their homework so a brief answer is fine. Some need a push in the right direction and benefit from a bit more information. Some are blatantly trying to get someone to do their homework for them and deserve to be reported. I have no problem with one or two questions from homework. When I answer the others, I try to balance my answer to the need.

The most egregious examples are going to be obvious. If I can tell what the student's need is, you can bet that the student's teacher is going to be able to tell an answer copied from Y!A from one that the student has researched, with or without help. These copiers are the students who are going to have to practice saying, "Do you want fries with that?"