Is Aleks still ACE accredited as of now?

[dfrecore]

This is how they're making it so people can't cheat.  Instead of proctoring.  It's probably a decent method,

So it's hand written notes or a separate logon and computer?  Did I say that?

Separate computer would work, except that the new timed feature kind of fixes that one too.

[cookderosa]

Honestly, ALEKS is trying really hard to keep their same (or similar) model. Adding a lockdown browser... ok, that's something, but in reality, everyone else is using either a testing center or a webcam proctor service, so they are still standing alone in their category. Even open book exams use webcam proctors (ex. Straighterline) so it's more, I think, about trying to keep honest people honest and turning a blind eye to any potential "cheaters."

Can you cheat the system? Sure. Do they know that? I'm sure. The bigger question is whether or not cheating and exam integrity are going to become a big deal. Right now, the only "police" are ACE and ACE aren't even police- they are a service that charges money to companies to be included in their catalog. So, it benefits everyone that these companies hang on to their ACE evaluation.

In my opinion as a former college teacher, you'll always have cheaters and you can't stop ALL of them - no matter what you come up with, there will always be someone finding a way around it. But, I do think there is some ethical responsibility that has to come into play. Is it ALEKS? Is it ACE? Is it the college that accepts the credit? It can be any of them, but you can't place the blame on the student (well, he cheated!) because that makes it look like it's a user issue instead of a system flaw - and this is for sure a system flaw.

[armstrongsubero]

If you cheat you only cheat yourself, college algebra and trigonometry are essential if you plan on doing higher level math courses. Discrete math, calc I and calc II even CS courses like computer architecture and such require that knowledge, so you only cheat yourself if you do that..

[MNomadic]

Everyone will do whatever they want, and that's their business (not that I condone cheating). However, I don't believe people should post on a public forum anything that is(or could be seen as) academic dishonesty. The honest 99% of us don't need the credibility of our classes, credits and degrees called into question because a small minority of people didn't follow the rules and then posted about it anonymously where anyone in the world could see.

[jsd]

Agreed. Nobody learned the Shmoop lesson apparently 

[Merlin]

Merlin, have you had your dyscalculia formerly diagnosed? I've always sort of suspected I might have some form of it but I'm not sure how one gets it checked.

I was diagnosed after a head injury when I was young. Oddly enough that is the only area that was impacted, as I'm generally pretty advanced in most other areas. Prior to the accident, I was several years advanced over other kids my age in math too. So I have an easier time with some subjects, but for example, I cannot remember a full multiplication table (I have to do mental math tricks to get around this) and I have a distorted sense of time. So I always have to focus on getting everything done now.

There are some online dyscalculia symptoms tests that can be taken which can help suggest whether you should see a specialist for screening. This is the first one that popped up on google and it seems pretty relevant: https://www.additudemag.com/screener-dys...st-adults/. You can learn more about diagnosis at http://www.dyscalculia.org/diagnosis-leg...evaluation.

[cookderosa]

Everyone will do whatever they want, and that's their business (not that I condone cheating). However, I don't believe people should post on a public forum anything that is(or could be seen as) academic dishonesty. The honest 99% of us don't need the credibility of our classes, credits and degrees called into question because a small minority of people didn't follow the rules and then posted about it anonymously where anyone in the world could see.

I agree 100%.
When I first subscribed to InstantCert, the main things that I found that set this it apart from Reddit or Yahoo groups is that in our specific exam feedback, members can't post questions from their exams- go in there right now and you'll see many posts where Shoto redacts questions out of the feedback. That one little sliver of integrity is what has kept me here since day 1. I am proud that you can follow all the rules AND STILL WIN at this college degree game.
We've had a few threads over the years that were, imo, blatant and irresponsible. I totally agree with MNomadic that it's possible people are exploiting loopholes (resourceful people figure things out, and this is a group of resourceful people) but it's something else entirely to post about it. Since I don't post anonymously, I'm probably more careful than those with the protection anonymity gives them, but I strongly support taking the high road - there's just no reason not to imo.

[davewill]

Oh, I know. Its just rough for people who have disabilities.

It should be possible to request an accommodation, however I have no idea if they have a proper policy in place for that.

[Merlin]

Oh, I know. Its just rough for people who have disabilities.

It should be possible to request an accommodation, however I have no idea if they have a proper policy in place for that.

Yeah, I doubt it. But I avoid having to ask for accommodation if I can avoid it. As an adult, I'd need to jump through hoops to "qualify" for that anyway.

In my case, the main accommodation I'd need is extra time. Mostly because I must do problems multiple times to make sure I get a consistent result. That and I often misremember formulas, so if there isn't a formula sheet and open notes aren't allowed, then I need to skip stuff and come back when (if) something else jogs the memory or fills in the gaps for me somehow.

Luckily I'm done with all the math I should need, so I don't need to worry about it. If a masters degree needs more, I'll deal with it at that time.

[jsd]

There are some online dyscalculia symptoms tests that can be taken which can help suggest whether you should see a specialist for screening. This is the first one that popped up on google and it seems pretty relevant: https://www.additudemag.com/screener-dys...st-adults/. You can learn more about diagnosis at http://www.dyscalculia.org/diagnosis-leg...evaluation.

Thanks for the resources...

If your score is 40% or higher, you may be demonstrating some of the signs and symptoms that often prompt an evaluation for dyscalculia.


[. . .]

You scored 57%.

woof.