October 11 , 2005
OPINIONSPepsi bottle, cell phones replace studying
I am a “non-traditional student.” In fact, they have a special category for me here at MCC. I am a “re-entry student.”
What that really means is that I am older than the vast majority of my classmates.
You would think that age would give me the upper hand, but I am surprised by what I don’t know.
For instance, did you know that you could store the answers to a test in a graphing calculator?
Did you know that you can program exam responses into a cell phone?
You can even take photos of your notes with your cell phone and text message your classmates to share information.
The professor won’t even know!
I have to be honest. I have not yet figured out what all the buttons on my calculator are for.
I assumed that they were there for mathematical calculations. I still have not really learned how to retrieve a message on my cell phone.
Who knew that it could almost guarantee an “A” on an exam?
I asked my son, a student at NAU, if he was aware of this phenomenon.
“Sure,” he said.
Some of his classmates have been known to remove the label from a Pepsi bottle, write all the answers on the back, and re-affix it. All one has to do is tilt the bottle to view the formula!
All this time I have been writing papers, doing my homework, even paying a tutor, so I could maintain my high G.P.A. It wasn’t necessary. Who knew?
I’ve given this a lot of thought. I am exhausted by the notion that anyone would bother to print teeny tiny words on anything.
If you are going to take the time to program answers into a telephone, wouldn’t this time be better spent studying?
After all, aren’t we paying for college classes so that we can advance our level of education?
I am not suggesting that college students cheat. I have developed wonderful friendships with some of my classmates. We study together, we exchange ideas and opinions.
I have been awed by the determination that many students demonstrate.
But there does seem to be an element of acceptance when it comes to cheating. Does the end justify the means?
I don’t think so, and this is where good old life experience comes into the picture.
I have learned that habits that you develop when you are young tend to stay with you.
If you are able to accept unethical behavior now, you will probably find it easy to do the same in the workplace and in your personal relationships.
If you’ve read this far, you are probably rolling your eyes, so I will leave you with something to ponder.
In the future, many of you will become parents. What values will you pass on to your children? Will you expect them to be honest?
If so, then I advise you to start looking in the mirror. That is your conscience staring back at you.
If you pay attention, it is a pretty reliable integrity barometer.
Volume 43, Issue 3. Today is
