Homework Threads

[EvoDevo]

Hi folks.

I just wanted to take a moment to comment on the proliferation of "Homework" threads. You know what I'm talking about: threads asking for others to help them solve physics problems or whatever else.

Though SDN has no formal policy on the matter, we mods *do* try to keep the forums on-topic and free from non-relevant manner. Hence, this is why we don't allow adverstisements or "For Sale" threads here but rather move them to their own forum.

Since Pre-Allo is devoted to helping all of us get into and choose among medical schools, I made the decision to close most of the homework threads that I come across. However, this does not mean that these threads are necessarily always a bad thing. As a result, I've asked Lee whether an un-moderated "Homework" forum could be set up, and we'll see what he says.

In the meantime, I'd like to solicit any suggestions, comments, or opinions y'all might have with regard to this issue.

The floor is open for debate.

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[fahimaz7]

The HS students posting on here is rediculous. Who cares about HS homework anyways?

Scott

You could be a 4.2 student in HS and think you're going to be a doctor only to change your mind and do Art History later on.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I think that proffesor and TA office hours are a better source of help than the pre-allo forum. I agree with the policy of closing HW threads. Just adds to the clutter.

 

[liverotcod]

Seems like some of the questions are interesting ones that cause me to do some research myself or stretch my mind in some way. I like those. Others are obviously the result of lazy studenthood. I guess I don't think either really belong in pre-allo, and I'm aware that my "interesting" may be someone else's "dumb." So I support the idea of a homework/science questions forum.

 

[OneiroKnight]

Just a question for the current med students. Generally are your classes composed of lecture and exam format or do you also do research assignments or papers to hand in?

 

[rambo]

I don't think it's that big of a problem. If this is truly a forum for collaboration, then it should not make too much of an impact if occasionally one of our peers asks for input.

 

[bewitched1081]

The HS students posting on here is rediculous. Who cares about HS homework anyways?

Scott

You could be a 4.2 student in HS and think you're going to be a doctor only to change your mind and do Art History later on.

i knew since before hs that i wanted to be a physician. why can't people just give others the benefit of the doubt? sure there are lots of pre-meds that drop out, but it is really annoying when people just brush you off.

regarding the hw threads, they don't seem to take up that much space. i don't see a problem with them yet.

 

[LauraMac]

i have absolutely no problem with homework threads. they don't take up that much space, and if you don't want to read them, you don't have to.

 

[Severus]

I'd support a HW forum. There seems to be a need for it, and as long as people keep wanting to help out as much as they can, I don't see any problem in it. On some level, some of these homework threads may help people study for the MCAT in a weird, twisted sort of way. 😉

Sev

 

[Nebulizer]

Evo is a hardcore moderator, i like how he gets **** done around here. Keep up the good work.

 

[liverotcod]

i have absolutely no problem with homework threads. they don't take up that much space, and if you don't want to read them, you don't have to.

It's not that I have a problem with the threads, but rather that it might make more sense for them to be gathered in one place. The difficulty is that no-one will read the new HW forum and there will be few responses, in all likelihood.

 

[Severus]

It's not that I have a problem with the threads, but rather that it might make more sense for them to be gathered in one place. The difficulty is that no-one will read the new HW forum and there will be few responses, in all likelihood.

Oh I don't know. There are a lot of dorks on SDN (I am), and I always read the HW messages to see if 1: I can be of help 2: how much more other people's homework sucks. But I'm not that in tune with the reading habits of other users... maybe the mods should see if people would be interested in answering HW questions before they go through the trouble of setting something up.?

I dunno,

Sev

 

[wendywellesley]

Oh I don't know. There are a lot of dorks on SDN (I am), and I always read the HW messages to see if 1: I can be of help 2: how much more other people's homework sucks. But I'm not that in tune with the reading habits of other users... maybe the mods should see if people would be interested in answering HW questions before they go through the trouble of setting something up.?

I dunno,

Sev

i agree. i support the formation of a separate HW forum. I agree that HW threads shouldn't be posted in the pre-allo space. i like the HW threads, especially those that have to do with biochem 🙂 i think people will read and respond to them.

 

[i61164]

I support a HW forum. Although they don't really bother me, these messages don't belong in pre-allo. Maybe nobody will read the HW forum, but if enough people come here for help, they can help each other.

 

[synapse]

what about research questions?

anyway, my questions were not hw questions. i also searched online and through books for the answers to the "homework questions" before i posted on sdn, so please don't make me sound like i am lazy. in addition, i am not in high school.

i dont really mind if there are "homework questions." i try to help people whenever i can. maybe there should be a separate forum for that, but the response rate would be faster in pre-allo. also, the people who need help would go to the hw forum, so it's like the blind leading the blind... while all the genuises are in the pre-allo with lots of knowledge to share. 😛

 

[stoic]

I'm ok with HW questions. SDN is a great resource; the number of smart people on this board is truely amazing. I think that the hw that gets posted on here fits into the content acceptable in the forums because coursework is such a big part of being premed.

I think there could be an active and effective HW/subject questions forum (for both premed and med students, too). Of course users would need to take the answers/advice at there own risks....

Don't wanna mess with it... fine... let me moderate it 😀

 

[tllajd]

I'm ok with HW questions. SDN is a great resource; the number of smart people on this board is truely amazing. I think that the hw that gets posted on here fits into the content acceptable in the forums because coursework is such a big part of being premed.

I think there could be an active and effective HW/subject questions forum (for both premed and med students, too). Of course users would need to take the answers/advice at there own risks....

Don't wanna mess with it... fine... let me moderate it 😀

I agree with Stoic and some of the others. I asked a homework question in the MCAT section and I got a better answer than the teachers can give me.

I guess I don't see the difference between somone posting a homework question or posting a Red Sox comment. I will be the first to admit that I didn't read the Red Sox thread, but it's there if I am interested.

I think a Homework forum would be great. I would probably check it out just to see if I know anything and can be helpful. Or possibly just for the fact if I don't know the answer, I could learn something.

 

[FlushingNemo]

I vote "yay" for a homework forum. I don't have a problem with homework threads, considering I just posted a homework related one before reading this thread. Oops. 😳

Well, it wasn't really a homework thread, but rather, a where-can-I-go-to-find-material-that-will-help-me-with-my-homework kind of thread.

 

[Severus]

I'm ok with HW questions. SDN is a great resource; the number of smart people on this board is truely amazing. I think that the hw that gets posted on here fits into the content acceptable in the forums because coursework is such a big part of being premed.

I think there could be an active and effective HW/subject questions forum (for both premed and med students, too). Of course users would need to take the answers/advice at there own risks....

Don't wanna mess with it... fine... let me moderate it 😀

Man, with as many posts as you have, I would have bet an ovary you were a moderator. I always thought mods were picked based on # of posts... but if you need nominated... I nominate stoic for HW mod! 👍

Sev

 

[stoic]

As I recall, there were plans for a HW forum a few months ago, but they never materialized.

Does anyone have the official word on why those forums got ditched?

 

[americanangel]

I think a HW thread would be a great idea...Okay I know I posted a question once for help (but I didn't know I wasn't allowed) I figured that since we were all in the same boat, it wouldn't hurt to ask someone for help! I know for me, I live with my parents off campus and well since I go to a same school there really aren't any tutors and if you have a question during the time where the professor doesn't have office hours, its really hard to ask for help! I know that I only ask when I need it and we'll I think that a HW thread would really allow people to collobrate...Sometimes all you really need is just a little push in the right direction and you can figure out what you have been doing wrong (I know from experience and the one question I posted, that I only messed up my signs, I was staring at the problem for an hour not knowing what I did wrong and then with a little help I was able to figure it out)
Okay, I agree that some people might use it the wrong way, but that's life and something we all just have to deal with! But for the majority, it might really be a help! Besides if you can't figure out this problem you will just be asking for MCAT help later, so whats the difference, its all related!!!!

YAY for the HW thread!!!