Hi all,

Is this really a problem?  I remember as a student having great expectations for open book tests - I wouldn't need to know anything, just look it up.  Was I surprised to learn that you need to know a lot to look things up, not to mention the time factor.  I quickly learned that I needed as much preparation (perhjaps more) for a good open book test than for a closed book one.

If exams merely require students to regurgitate facts, then I suppose this device is a potential problem.  If exams require students to do something with the data, then I believe the threat is much less.  (Perhaps I don't understand enough aboput what this device does.) 

I also believe that more needs to be done to encourage students to work honestly.  This is crucial for their own growth and development, and also for the world in general.  If teachers don't do this, the "me first" approach will rapidly become "me only."  I believe we see much of this in the business and political world already, and would hate to see it get worse.

Being retired, it is easy for me to write this; implementation may be tough (not to mention generally thankless). 

Bob



-----Original Message-----
From: Teaching Breakfast List on behalf of Jim Greenberg
Sent: Tue 11/13/2007 9:25 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Let Me Know When You See One - Posted to TB List by Jim Greenberg

Tbers,

What would you do if a student came to class with one of these to take
notes?

http://www.flyworld.com/whatis/index.html


Mr. James B. Greenberg
Director Teaching, Learning and Technology Center
Milne Library
SUNY College at Oneonta
Oneonta, New York 13820

blog: The 32nd Square at http://aristotle.oneonta.edu/37_the_32nd_square
email: [log in to unmask]
phone: 607-436-2701
fax:   607-436-3081
IM:  oneontatltc

"Ignorance is curable, stupidity lasts forever"