Software to catch cheats

Hong Kong Polytechnic University plans to introduce software which will help secondary schools to catch students who cheat in their homework, especially liberal studies.

It is not uncommon to see disagreement between teachers and students whenever a new scheme is introduced. Teachers are sure to welcome the plan because it would ease their workload. With the new software, they can identify copycats without wasting too much time.

As for the students, I think most of them would oppose the move. We teenagers like to consider ourselves as adults and gain the trust of others. The software plan makes us think we are being controlled. That's why many of us would oppose it.

In my opinion, teachers should listen to students and vice-versa. Though the outcome may favour only one side, then they would understand each other better and there would be more harmony in school.

Ivan Li, STFA Tam Pak Yu college

From the Editor

Thank you for your letter, Ivan. It seems students and teachers are always at odds. However, the underlying motive here seems to be for the good of the students. Copying is cheating. The person being harmed by cheating is the student. They have not done the work and the result gives a false representation of their ability which prevents them from getting help if needed.

It is possible for students to buy homework answers on the internet. This has the same result as if they copied their answer. Perhaps it is worse because they might not even read the piece they hand in. That way they would have learned nothing at all. In the long run, it's better to do the work or accept the consequences.

Susan, Editor