Question

How much *are the direct solutions* appreciated on OpenStudy?

Answer 1

How much is "Giving Direct Solutions" Appreciated on OpenStudy?

I have been recently discussing a lot with those users who think that giving direct solutions is nothing wrong. And, after those discussions, I personally think that it is nothing wrong in giving solutions (having each step explained).

Though, I know that interaction and discussion are the key aim of OpenStudy. We want the askers to do the questions themselves. But, it is not always possible to interact with the asker.

i) One doesn't have much time to interact with a user on a single question for 1-1.5 hours. Being practical, it is very difficult for a user to do such interaction with the asker.

ii) What if the asker is not online? Or is only available for 5-10 minutes ?

Most of the times, the askers either don't reply or reply after a lot of time. I usually ask them first that what have they tried yet? But, most of the times, they don't respond at the earliest. Interactions , discussions are only possible when the both users (asker and helper) support each other. If the asker will not respond, then the helper will not be able to help him. If the helper will not help, then the asker will not get help.

iii) Some misinterpret the meaning of "Direct Solutions" - In this context, from "Direct Solutions" , I am referring to a complete solution (not having an answer at the end, just asking the user to continue from a particular step).

Now, if the asker has any problem in understanding a specific step, he can request the helper to explain that particular step.

OpenStudy CoC doesn't say anything against the direct solutions, and so, I know that those are *allowed* , but are not much appreciated.

I think, either we should search for a way such that the askers give quick responses (which is quite difficult) or we should appreciate the Direct Solutions.

I don't know whether any of the admins/mods/ambis are against or in the favor of such way of helping students, and thus, I have put this here. I want to know your views on a user helping by giving direct Solutions.

Answer 2

To make everything clear, I will write down an example :

Asker (A) - Find the roots of the quadratic equation : \(x^2 + 9x + 4 =0\)

\(\bf\color{Red}{Case~ - ~ 1}\) Help by Interaction (support given at both ends)

Answerer (B) : Have you studied Quadratic Formula?
Asker (A) : (Instant Response) Yeah. But, I don't know how to use it here.
Answerer (B) : Okay. See, we know that the quadratic formula is :
\(x = \cfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\) ; this is a general formula for an equation of the form : \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\)

Now, compare the general form of the quadratic equation with the given equation. Try to find the values of : a, b and c

Asker (A) (After 2 minutes) :Is it a = 1 , b = 9 and c = 4?

Answerer (B) : Good Work! That's right. Now, put these values in the quadratic formula.

Asker (A) : (After 1 minute) I did that already. But, not sure how to get the roots?

Answerer (B) : what do you get after putting the values of a , b and c ?

Asker (A) : (After 2 minutes) x = .....

Answerer (B) : That seems correct. Now, just split that \(\pm\) to 2 cases, one for plus and one for minus. You will get your roots.

Asker(A) ...
(The discussion may go on or may end here)

------FIRST CASE------------------

\(\bf \color{red}{Case~ - ~ 2} \) When the Asker doesn't response.

A : Find the roots of quadratic equation : \(x^2 + 9x + 4 = 0\)

B : What have you tried yet? Have you Studied quadratic formula?

A: (After 13 hours) Yes. I have studied Quadratic Formula.

(The possibility of the discussion to go on decreases as the answerer will be *no more* interested in checking out the tags the next day. Most of the helpers ignore the tags the next day, while some don't.
------SECOND CASE-------------------------

\(\bf\color{red}{Case~-~3}\) When the Answerer posts a direct solution .

A: Find the roots of Quadratic Equation : \(x^2 + 9x + 4 =0 \)

B : First of all, you must know the quadratic formula. It is :

\(x = \cfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\) ; for the general form \[ax^2 + bx + c = 0\]

Here, a = 1, b = 9 , c = 4

Thus, you get : x = root 1st and x = root 2nd

-------THIRD CASE------------

\(\bf \color{red}{Case~ - ~ 4}\) When the Answerer posts well explained Direct Solution :

A :Find the roots of quadratic Equation : \(x^2 + 9x + 4 = 0\)
B: First of all, you must know the quadratic formula. It is :

\(x = \cfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\) ; for the general form \[ax^2 + bx + c = 0\]

In such cases, when you are given with an equation similar to the form of \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\) , you have to first compare these 2 equations and find the values for a,b and c.

When you will get the values of a , b and c then you just have to put these values in the quadratic formula.

Here, you have : \(x^2 + 9x + 4 =0\) , this can be written as :

\(1\times x^2 + 9 \times x + 1 \times 4 = 0\)

Compare this with : \(ax^2 + bx + c =0\)

You should get : a = 1 , b = 9 and c = 1.

In this way, you will just have to put these values in quadratic formula, and you will get the roots.

Asker (A) : Oh, got it! I was doing the mistake in finding a, b and c. Thanks!
(or the asker may request the user to explain a particular step.)

Answer 3

Now, if I go on deeper to these cases,

i) `Case- 1` :

This case is considered to be the perfect way. Nothing wrong in this.

ii) `Case-2`:

The Asker didn't give the response which is required for a discussion. Thus, 90% of such questions are left `unanswered`

iii) `Case-3` :

Not a well explained answer.

iv) `Case-4` :

For me, it is the Second-Best way to help someone.

-------
I know this is even a long long post, but I want to know your views on this.

Thanks!

Answer 4

I feel there is a difference between giving an answering and going an individual to a solution.

i.
i.q., "what is 2x + 4 = 8?"

i.a., "It's x = 2"

ii.
ii.q., "what is 2x + 4 = 8"

ii.a., "you first have to subtract four, which gives you 2x = 4, and then divide by 2 to isolate x, which gives you x = 2"

I feel guiding to an answer is appropriate, but giving an answer with an explanation hinders the learning process.

Answer 5

If you notice the "Case-4" which is exactly the case about which I am referring to "Direct-Solutions" , then there is no answer provided. You just have given 2-3 initial steps with each step explained. The asker can continue from there.

Yeah, I completely agree that giving the answer with the solution hinders the learning process (which is `case-3` ) , and thus, I'm not in support for that.

Answer 6

is this still being talked about?
IT WOULD BE GREAT to provide other examples and show the mechanism on how it is solved instead of solving/giving the solutions to the questions posted!

Answer 7

Next time i see answers being directly posted i shall post this link. Anyways, awesome examples and explanation @mathslover ! :)

Answer 8

Great post. Yes I agree Case-1 is ideal but there are time constraints. I think another cool method (maybe particularly relevant for mathematics) is to do a walkthrough for a different but related problem. In this case the helper could, say, a) present a different quadratic equation and b) walk through the solution for that (as you did above) and potentially c) link to other resources / practice problems.

This way, the one asking the question doesn't get to simply copy an answer - he or she has to review the work that the helper has done, internalize it, and then apply it back to his or her original problem. Of course, afterwards he or she could post an answer + the helper or someone else could verify at the end.

Answer 9

You got the point @kma230 .. ! Very right.

Answer 10

i love direct solutions it helps people so much more then what u and moderators and what not do. they need a answer and quick, they dont need to be toyed with and played with. Obviously if they need to ask a question that means they have tried and have no answer so why dont you consider that

Answer 11

@Gravity_Dreams "Obviously if they need to ask a question that means they have tried" is sadly not the case a lot of the times now. I've seen many users just prscr all their stuff from their virtual school onto here without trying... like the moment someone gives them the answer they close a question and immediately post another question that is basically identical to the previous.
I love how highly you think of the askers here, but it is sadly not the case for many :/
of course there are those who actually do try :) but not enough for us helpers to be so laid back

@mathslover Of course this should/would only apply to Mathematics ;)

Answer 12

This can also apply to Physics and Chemistry! Not sure for Biology, and other groups.

Answer 13

yeah English and History would be tough to implement this in :P

Answer 14

Haha, yeah, right!

Answer 15

Perfect example of an interacting asker
http://goo.gl/qMfLE4

Answer 16

@mathslover @jigglypuff314 @Gravity_Dreams @kma230 @nincompoop

http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/53a45df1e4b0a819ab10334b Another method, i tried out really works quiet Good !!

\(Not~online:\)
\(\to\) Suggest links with a brief idea about what user can have from it.
\(\to\) Explain briefly the answer in an indirect manner, helps asker to find out and identify himself.
\(\to\) Ask them to tag You, if help is much needed.
\(\to\) \(Finally\) Working together as a team, just solves anything on the way.... means you don't have to pay to send messages to people who are regular round the clock and ask them to sort it out.
\(Again,\) If that Person is not online, just tag him below asker question or let the mods know, the situation !

\(Its~Just~A~small~idea~from~A~small~brain~!\) @Compassionate
\(Hope~It~helps~!!,Nice~to~meet~you~Guys~!!\)