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advice_column [2018/05/19 12:31] – [On grades and cheating] editadvice_column [2018/05/19 12:36] – [On grades and cheating] edit
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 =====On grades and cheating===== =====On grades and cheating=====
  
-My second least favorite duty in teaching is to assign grades.  My least favorite is to deal with cheaters.  I talk about them together because my objection to them stem from the same root problem---the need to understand the real objective of being at CMU.+My second least favorite duty in teaching is to assign grades.  My least favorite is to deal with cheaters.  I talk about them together because my objection to them stem from the same root problem---the need to understand the real objective of taking a course.
  
 **Grades:** **Grades:**
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 You would do much better if you worked on learning the materials.  Your grades reflect how well you have learned and not the other way around. One day you will leave CMU and will have to make a real living with what you have learned; your GPA and diploma can offer little solace to you or your boss if you cannot perform on the job. You would do much better if you worked on learning the materials.  Your grades reflect how well you have learned and not the other way around. One day you will leave CMU and will have to make a real living with what you have learned; your GPA and diploma can offer little solace to you or your boss if you cannot perform on the job.
  
-The A/B cut-off is a perennial point of contention at the end of a term.  Keep in mind, if you are performing near the boundary between A/B, (1) whether you receive an A or B, subject to noise and chance, is a correct outcome (don't be there);  (2) whether you receive an A or B, it does not change how well you have really done and how well you will be able to do in the future (don't stay there).+The A/B cut-off is a perennial point of contention at the end of a term.  Keep in mind, if you are performing near the boundary between A/B, (1) whether you receive an A or B, subject to noise and chance, is a correct outcome (don't be there);  (2) whether you receive an A or B, it does not change how well you have really done and how well you will be able to do in the future (don't stay there).  The purpose behind taking a course doesn't end with the term and letter grade.
  
 **Cheating:** **Cheating:**