(1) Students, pse remember to LISTEN and prepare Tara's News! You don't have to comment on the news.
(2) Mini-debate: Cheating and plagiarism in schools
We'll read an article about this phenomenon, learn some vocab, discuss some questions in pairs, and then enter into different debates about the question of cheating. Student have to read the worksheet before commenting.
M - W13b - Mini debates - Cheating.pdf
Replies
I have heard about that, Long Yuan, that some students would only cheat when they have to pass a boring subject which is actually being forced on them. They don't need the subject, but have to pass it. So, they don't give much attention to it and neither do the attend many of those lessons. Maybe it is understandable, but I don't think it is excusable! In the west we also have that phenomenon, but we would seldom revert to cheating because we feel it is an unnecessary subject; we'll still try to pass it legitimately'. Yes, maybe a matter of opinion; but can a different opinion make it right?!
Yes, the best way is the honest way, Zhang Ke, as any manner of cheating is dishonest. We should work hard and it would not be necessary to even think of cheating.
Wow Li Yaze, it means that students grow up with cheating as their ally from even Primary school?! That is an eye-opener to hear that! How can it be normal when even Primary school kids understand what cheating is, know that it is wrong, but still do it until they finish their university? It shocks me! Though I do not agree at all with the concept of the College Entrance exam, it appears that there is good control there and cheating is minimized. But you are right, only hard work can assure one of an honest grade (and you'll get the "gains for the pains"!). :)
I am happy to read that you have never cheated, Xi Rui! I can't say that of myself ...! :( But I'll tell you tomorrow as I will share it with the class (hope you will understand!). But I only did it once and because of the painful punishment, I learned it doesn't pay to cheat!
It is my blief that cheating is not all wrong but plagiarism is.Plagiarism means that one copies others' fruit without his own efforts.To be honest,as students,there are lots of cheaters around us who plagiarize in tests . They don't think that plagiarism is shamful, and on the contrary, they are proud of the ability that they can copy successfully.As far as i am concerned , plagiarism is sheerly wrong.We attend university with the view to learn knowledge . If copying in tests, we can get nothing but good grades.Sadly, the good grades are fake and we cheat ourselves in the end.
I am surprised about your view on Cheating, Zhang Min, as you are the first one from this class to view it like that. However, I know there are students with that view. But I don't completely understand why as both cheating and plagiarism involve dishonesty! So, what's the real difference then?! Maybe it is like the way some Chinese people regard lying ... They say that lying is okay as long as no one gets hurt; so, a 'white lie' is acceptable. However, a small lie paves the way for the big lies - if one can do a small lie, one can do a big one too. Would that not be the same with cheating and plagiarism - if one can cheat, one can do plagiarism too (as there is not much difference)?! Let's hear what the class says tomorrow!
I think you have a good point there, Hui Ying, that cheating is equal to stealing other's achievements. How can one ever feel good about doing that? Where are our consciences? I don't think the schools or the universities should be held responsible for eradicating cheating and plagiarism. This is a deep-rooted problem in society and it should come from higher authority to stamp out this ugly phenomenon. :)
Thank you for a good comment, Kay. I like your different angle, though I still believe the immense pressure on students to perform, is a contributing factor (pressure from parents and the system which forces them to perform for a good placing at a good teaching institution, amongst others). But would that be fair on the honest students to report the cheaters when they see them? Think about the bad reactions from those cheaters toward the students who've reported them. No, I wouldn't like to put that pressure on the honest students! A good solution would surely be to increase the penalties for cheating, but then it must be evenly and consistently applied to make it effective. However, that would still not stop it. Something else must change ... or the example must come from another source ... We'll talk about that tomorrow! ;-)
Yes Zhang Yingying, if we know we would be held accountable for our actions, maybe we'll think twice before engaging in dishonest or other wrong behaviour. Problem is, I think, that too many people get away with bad or wrong behaviour and therefore it gets easier to repeat such behaviour. "Lack of personality" ..." Well, I would rather say it can be a flaw in the character; but how did it get there in the first place, because we don't get born cheaters ...? There must be other causes for this.
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