Please update wiki

[Prloko]

I was reading the "Beginner's Guide" on the Wiki and in the Cheap credits section I happened upon the following:

"ALEKS - Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Precalculus, Trigonometry, Intro to Statistics, Business Statistics, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (each is 3 credits) for $20/month membership - If you can finish the math classes faster, it'll be cheaper for you; these are NON proctored (use online calculators)"

My concern is the last three words "use online calculators". I'm not sure what the author meant, but this reads to me as to use one of the online calculators like wolfram alpha that does the entire calculation for you. I know we at DF are all about finding shortcuts and cheap methods, but I'm not sure we were ever about cheating (If that's what this alludes to). This has always been our stance, especially when newbies would come on asking for actual CLEP questions. It had always been our practice to shun away from that. Would someone please update the Wiki so it doesn't read like it's advocating for cheating? I know we are all better than that.

[cookderosa]

I was reading the "Beginner's Guide" on the Wiki and in the Cheap credits section I happened upon the following:

"ALEKS - Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Precalculus, Trigonometry, Intro to Statistics, Business Statistics, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (each is 3 credits) for $20/month membership - If you can finish the math classes faster, it'll be cheaper for you; these are NON proctored (use online calculators)"

My concern is the last three words "use online calculators". I'm not sure what the author meant, but this reads to me as to use one of the online calculators like wolfram alpha that does the entire calculation for you. I know we at DF are all about finding shortcuts and cheap methods, but I'm not sure we were ever about cheating (If that's what this alludes to). This has always been our stance, especially when newbies would come on asking for actual CLEP questions. It had always been our practice to shun away from that. Would someone please update the Wiki so it doesn't read like it's advocating for cheating? I know we are all better than that.

Ha!
For what it's worth, I agree with you (though I'm not involved in the wiki) and make that comment here too- which ticks people off from time to time. But really, it's a pathetically desperate way to pick already VERY low hanging fruit. JMO, but glad to have someone to stand next to.

[Lindagerr]

I can't change the Wiki but it never occurred to me they meant an online calculator to cheat. I thought it meant there would be a calculator from ALEKS available during test. I also think that we need to clarify that TESU does not give credit for beginning Algebra.

I have been a member of this forum going on 10 years and anytime I see someone ask for answers or ways to cheat I have always seen the majority of the posters explaining WE DO NOT CHEAT. If others cheat it makes it look like I could have cheated too. That would belittle my degree and I worked too hard for that to happen.

[jsd]

I missed that when updating that particular page, but I absolutely agree that it is shady.

Just a note -- ANYone can actually update the wiki. You don't even need to register an account! I will update it as I continue to go through it and clean it up, but you won't be stepping on anyone's toes if you're comfortable updating it yourself. The point of wikis are that they're maintained by a community, not by one person who controls the information.

[jsd]

To clarify, I don't mean "just do it yourself, I can't be bothered!" I hope it's not coming off rude that way.

What I meant is, if you want to, you're welcome to! But you're not obligated to, and I can get to it soon if no one else does.

[bjcheung77]

To clarify "use online calculators", I meant to use an online calculator like the ones advised by Saylor Academy or whichever course provider you're taking the course from.
Further to those authorized and recommended calculators, there's an online calculator within ALEKS, I also use the simple google calculator and the built in calculator in windows. Why? Because I don't usually have a physical calculator at all times, and it's easier to punch in the info on my WinXP/7 or Win10 PC/Laptop.

I am not advocating cheating and I myself don't recommend using any other "online calculator" besides the ones mentioned above otherwise, you don't learn anything.
However, if the courses from your provider such as Penn Foster, Saylor, Straighterline, or Study.com require a scientific calculator, you can use those as long as it's accepted in the class. Read what's accepted for each class and use it to your benefit.

Saylor Calculator : https://sayloracademy.zendesk.com/hc/en-...ored-exam-
Straighterline: What materials can I use during an exam? A calculator
(for math and science courses requiring calculations only, please note what type of calculator [graphing vs. scientific] is permitted for your specific exam)
Study.com "AP Calculus" Example: AP Calculus Exam Calculator: What's Allowed? | Study.com

JSD, or someone, If you have the time, please place this onto the wikia page for clarification.
There's a difference between cheating and having online open resources as recommended by the institution.
For the student, just be careful and follow what's in each educations recommendations. Thank you.

[KayV]

I must be a teacher writing up a supply list for Algebra II lol. I saw that and thought, "Oh that's right! ALEKS has an online calculator built right in, so you don't don't have to buy a graphing calculator!"

Also, while TESU does not give credit for Beginning Algebra, Excelsior and Charter Oak do give credit for it.

[jsd]

The ALEKS user guide specifically says external calculators are cheating, so saying you meant the Saylor or straighterline calculator doesn't really resolve the issue. You can use the ALEKS calc, not Saylor's.

If you mean use saylor for the Saylor test, it shouldn't be under the ALEKS section. That's not consistent.

[TrailRunr]

I would recommend not mentioning calculators at all in the ALEKS section. Those who are looking to finish 3 credits in an hour won't need that extra hint or a hint to use the wolf. At the same time, I'm not your priest so I'm not going to edit it either.

[traveler]

For the Forum's reference, =
No disrespect intended - (just my experience - with my understanding, and no thought or desire of cheating).
I had no idea we could cheat in statistics and ALEKS.
Oh - by the way, Everyone thinks we all cheat now. (Evidenced by online proctors.)

When I took ALEKS Statistics a few years ago, I had no idea what ALEKS was, or what Statistics was, tho I intuitively knew and understood the concepts.

So, innocently, I went to local big box store and bought a calculator saying Statistics on front cover advertisement = TI (whatever) with a tiny unreadable 1,000 page manual. It was all Useless, because I was so overwhelmed with meaningless drag. (That calculator actually held me back a Lot.)

It never occurred to me to cheat. I was trying to understand something that I assumed everyone else already knew.

Low and behold - I had to actually read the ALEKS material, and figure it out for myself. Once I buckled down, after a few weeks and hours, it happened, the light bulbs lit up.
Now I know that all statistics and Polls can be fudged, based on perception, and goals.
......
And there were no actual instructions for the ALEKS calculator when I took it and passed. It was all point by point instructions from ALEKS.