While reviewing exams for my English 5 class I noticed that one student's writing sample seemed oddly familiar. it was written at a level far above the rest of the class, for one thing. The topic was 'A Nightmare Journey' and it described a trip from Dresden to Mallorca(!) Something was clearly fishy. So, i looked through the textbook and found the exact same writing sample in a chapter we had read some weeks back. Not to mention, the offending student had left behind a handwritten copy of the very same 'nightmare Journey' on his desk.
Brimming with teacherly indignation I marched over to the Academic Administration office and informed Ms. Uyen what had happened. She scowled at me and I immediately realized I had done something I shouldn't have.
"Where," she said "is your PROOF?" I produced the note, the exam, and the textbook. She glanced over them before turning back to me. "This doesn't mean anything. Maybe he just memorized it. It happens alot, what can you do? We can't punish him for something everyone does". She shrugged "But if you really want...take away a few points for lack of creativity". She waved a hand and the meeting was over.
Capitalism is here for good.
5 comments:
Woah. I am floored. Wow. Just.. wow.
Agreed. Doesn't memorizing the passage still defeat the purpose of the writing sample? Good luck with that one Noah.
Noob. You should have visited the kid's parents.
See if they have a big house, nice cars, and a couple of maids. Then tell them that the kid has talent but unfortunately the work is not up to it. He may lost his chance of studying at a big foreign uni.
Fortunately you like the kid. You are willing to tutor him for an hour on a Saturday afternoon. You don't need much, just perhaps a suggested $500 for your 5:00 pm Oolong tea and a 6:00 pm karaoke with your gf. It will be a shame for the kid to loose opportunities because of his lack of creativity...
Of course if the kid parents are dirt poor, just trash talk some politics and leave it at that.
oh no... there are some naughty students cheating during examination but you couldn't punish them unless you see they looking at the sample/paper. ( that is what Ms Uyen implied about "proof").
You may feel annoyed but forget it :P...just note to tell all before they start next exam that you know s.o cheating in class and if you see anyone cheating this time, they must get punishment...
- Havana
How about: tell the student they obviously misunderstood the task, which was not to memorise a long passage, but the much easier and enjoyable task of writing their own material. Say "unfortunately, I can't give you any marks for this, but if you like you can come and write something for me over lunchtime." It seems to me you'll have managed to give them a detention and seem like you're being really kind at the same time...
Otherwise, give them 0 for plagiarism. It doesn't matter whether they intended to quote the source or cheat, if they haven't attributed it properly, it's academic plagiarism and can't get any marks.
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