BANGALORE: While getting college projects done online for a price has been around for a while, homework seems to be moving into competitive, realtime delivery. When TOI posted a simple question on a homework helper site, the answer offers ranged from free of charge to $1. All within 30 minutes.
We asked: 'How do you calculate the number of leap years in a century?' And gave an email ID where answers could be sent. While one helper wanted $1 for the answer, another was ready to give it free. "There could be 24 or 25 leap years in a century," one answer said and an explanation followed.
It now seems that life has become easier for students with an internet connection. Exams are off the calendar, exhibition projects are on display in shops and now, they can get home work done by someone else quickly.
Once a question is posted online, the student gets a preview of the answer. If she likes it, she can buy the answer and get access to the complete solution. Many 'teachers' answer the question and the student can chose the answer she likes best. There's no charge for a simple question. Subjects range from biology to accounting and students range from primary classes to engineering courses.
These methods are not just unethical but also affect the learning process of a child, experts say. "There's no effort on the child's part. The homework fails to stimulate the brains or enhance creativity. They becomes dependent and will suffer from an inferiority complex. During exams, they fails to perform and end up using unfair methods and go further into depression," said M S Thimmappa, psychologist and former vice-chancellor, Bangalore University.
Maya Menon, founder director, Teacher Foundation, said, "It has dangerous implications. It's a form of corruption that seeps in deep at a young age. "
No comments:
Post a Comment