Question

Anyone have any suggestions to this problem?

I like to walk people through how they arrive at their answers by providing solutions step-by-step and asking questions. A lot of the time, students are asking questions that they are taking tests on in school!! Is there a policy that they should tell us they are taking a test or something so we aren't helping them cheat? It feels like I helped them cheat unknowingly... Not cool!

Answer 1

Well, you can try to get them to not cheat all you want, but they can simply lie and say no it's not a test, happens most of the time. I quit paying attention to that, I personally will help anyone who is willing to learn, and I trust the user is not doing a test, so it's sort of a mutual respect sort of thing, of course that's not always the case. I've suggested things before to help abolish cheating, but I don't think that will help either.
It's alright though, I've learned, the only way someone will stop cheating is on their own. If they are planning to do higher studies (University/ College) or even in lets say senior year in high school, you have to put in the effort, and cheating will not get you anywhere, so you hope they realize this.

I think the problem isn't always the students fault, it can be the teachers/ tutor or whomever. The way we're taught here (North America) the teachers aren't always the greatest and they fail to teach in a critical thinking sort of way. I guess we're misguided. If you want people to learn, you make them long for the education.

A great quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."

Answer 2

`About the Policy`

Use of OpenStudy.com for malpractices like cheating in any form is completely discouraged and is against its Terms and Conditions. By accessing or using the web site at www.openstudy.com or the mobile version thereof you,
signify that you have read, understand and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use, the Privacy Policy and our Anti-Cheating Policy (collectively the "Terms of Use" or "Agreement"), whether or not you are a registered member of OpenStudy.

Answer 3

How to judge if someone is trying to cheat?

In most of the cases they will not accept the fact directly. So one way to avoid cheating is by avoiding direct answers and trying to envolve the asker in discussion. Any posting that provides an answer and that does not include the askers participation is considered a direct answer. The askers heartfelt participation is required for learning to have a chance to occur. Responses such as `idk`, `and hurry it's timed` ... are not considered to be heartfelt participation and is a good indication that the asker is trying to cheat or get answers only.

Answer 4

I wanted to say I appreciate both of your feedback @Abhisar and @iambatman. Thank you. I know how to approach this from now on. I will help people figure out "how" to arrive at their own answers and explain things when I feel they are putting in the same participation as I am, if I am giving a detailed explanation etc. Short quick answers or solutions for medals or anything like that do not reflect the kind of work I want to do with helping people and can be left for others. I like to explain things well and in detail and will kind of keep an eye out for individuals looking for this kind of help in the future! Thanks again.