Monday, March 7, 2011

Being Right or Doing Right?

So I got a math exam back today, I did fine on it, however I really thought when I turned it in that I had done better.

But this is either here nor there. 

After getting our exams back as a class, we looked over most of the harder questions on the exam and we went over how to solve them. I couldn't help but realize when I was looking over my test that on one of the longer problems I somehow did the problem completely and utterly wrong, and yet I still got the correct answer. I mean, what I did to get the correct answer was highly illegal, and I really should not have gotten the correct answer, but somehow in this one instance, I was just lucky enough that it appeared on my page. 

Now unfortunately my professor had marked me getting this question completely and totally wrong, which didn't really sit right with me. The instructions for the question did not say "answer this question the way that we went over in class," it simply said "solve."

Considering that I did in fact "solve" the problem, I felt that I should get the points that I rightly deserved for getting it correct, so after class was over, I went up to the professor and explained my problem to her, much as I have explained it to you here.

Her response was that she felt that she would have me "had followed the right steps and gotten the wrong answer, the followed the wrong steps to get the correct answer."

Now don't get me wrong here, me actually getting the correct answer on this question was a miracle. The amount of chance and luck that I apparently had on my side that day was apparently impeccable.

If I would have known, I would have bought a lottery ticket.

Now I can understand both sides of the coin here, obviously it would have been best if I had followed the right steps to complete the problem correctly and get the correct answer; obviously that would be the best option. However, just based upon the instructions which I was given, I don't really feel that my answer should be counted wrong, sure I may have gone about a (very) unorthodox way of getting the correct answer, but I got it nonetheless and I feel that credit should be given where credit is due.

This brings up with question, which is more important, "being right," or "doing right?"

Anyway, my professor took my exam back and she said that she would "think about it." However I kinda doubt that anything will change, just knowing her and the way she is in class.

What do you guys think is more important, being right or doing right? And do you think that I deserve those points or not?

Thanks for reading, peace.

28 comments:

  1. A correct answer has 2 parts, the process of getting the answer, and the actual answer. half a point should be awarded in this situation its only logical.

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  2. If I was a teacher, I'd rather you knew how to solve it, than get the correct answer the wrong way.

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  3. Sure you deserve a couple points for getting the answer right, but for something like this I really feel like the process is more important than the answer.

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  4. You should get the points if you got the correct answer.

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  5. Doing right and being right are the same thing.

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  6. being right and doing right are the same thing.

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  7. I was scolded in middle school for using "mental math". I also corrected the teacher and was put in the hallway to learn at my own accelerated pace. I got everything right and understood the process, I just felt no need to write it down.

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  8. you deserved the points anyways

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  9. All that really matters is the answer in the real world, but in school if you don't understand the process, you failed to learn the material. I do not believe you should have gotten the mark.

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  10. at least you know how to do it, the answer will come

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  11. Half-credit sounds reasonable to me, you didnt solve it right but you DID get the right answer somehow.

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  12. Doing the correct process and having a small error in the arithmetic is better then doing the wrong process and randomly getting the correct answer.

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  13. burger, it was'nt random he (or she) just circumvened the normal route. which i say good for you :D but in life as a whole, definitely doing right, because debatably, hitler was trying to get "the right answer", he just executed it horribly. the concept is that by doing the right thing, you'll automatically come to the right conclusion.

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  14. You should at least get some credit, but I understand the teacher's perspective.
    Doing right is more important than being right, at least when math is involved.

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  15. I don't know if you should get the points, but the most important thing is that you know what you're doing

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  16. Being right

    = Karma

    = Heaven

    Remember that ;)

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  17. do what i say, not what i do! Do it Right!

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  18. I don't mean to side against you, but it was technically a fluke then. As you didn't actually mean to get the correct answer via your method. Maybe next time? I know I hate looking over old tests and realising I fucked them up so bad..

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  19. your teacher should want you to be able to solve similar problems accurately anytime and without depending on luck. considering your answer she probably doesn't have the feeling she should give you points. on the other hand, if you face a situation where you are just unable to find the right answer by common means, trying everything to solve the problem is a good choice. i'd probably give you half the points...

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  20. I got confused about two paragraphs in!

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  21. Hey man, you got the correct answer and it didn't say to solve it in any certain way. I guess maybe they thought you cheated? who knows.

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  22. I guess the real questions is: If you had gone about the process completely correct but written down the wrong answer (say by mixing two digits up) would you have gotten credit or partial credit?

    If its partial credit, then the points are already split into the process/credit categories, and you deserve half for a correct answer.

    If its no credit, then the teacher is right in giving you no credit for missing half the question.

    If its full credit, then I suggest you listen to the song by Tom Lehrer - New Math and laugh off a silly teacher.

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  23. Why not try the same method with another similar question and see if the outcome's the same?

    If it is, then you're not actually doing wrong, just doing different.

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  24. you should confront your teacher about this to fix your grade.

    if he/she is rational they should be able to help you.

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  25. my teacher always says the solution isnt important but the way you got there

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  26. Here in Denmark, I think they have like a point system for each question. So if you have right answer, have used the right method, etc. you're given 5 points for that question. But if only, as in your case, the answer is correct but not the method, you'll only be given like 1-2 points. I think that's a good way of doing it.

    Very nice blog, I've enjoyed reading your posts. I'm now following you.

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