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Austrian Students Can "Phone a Friend" During Exams

Posted by samzenpus on from the who-wants-a-diploma dept.

In an attempt to boost test scores, some Austrian students will be able to "phone a friend" if they get stuck on a test question. The students will be able to call teachers, doctors, or other experts for help when they don't know an answer. Teacher Reinhard Peter came up with the idea while watching "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," and says, "They can call doctors, teachers and other people to ask their help. Many of them suddenly have exam anxiety as though they were sitting in the classroom taking the exam. They get nervous on the phone and feel that if they give the wrong answer they are not only failing themselves but the pupil who is calling them as well." Peter adds that all of his students have passed their exams since he allowed the calls, and he has no plans for installing a 50:50 policy.

9 comments

  1. Kudos to Austria. by ikefox · · Score: 1

    I hope this is the beginning of a trend. I like learning that mirrors real world situations. You can never underutilize your available resources, whether as a student or working for money in a career. This is an aspect of the world that is ignored in the classroom, historically speaking. The ability to phone someone you know for information is a good thing to teach.

    1. Re:Kudos to Austria. by gamanimatron · · Score: 1

      Please explain, with supporting references, why this might be a good thing and how it compares and contrasts with other innovations in modern education.

      'Cause I'm interested but can't be bothered to figure it out myself.

      --
      cogito ergo dubito
    2. Re:Kudos to Austria. by Secret+Rabbit · · Score: 1

      I really hope you're joking, because this is one of the most stupid things I've ever heard of. Testing is about WHAT THE STUDENT HAS LEARNED NOT WHO THEY ARE CALLING HAS LEARNED!!!

    3. Re:Kudos to Austria. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because in real life, you don't have to know it all. Don't get me wrong, I don't think this solves anything--the whole testing system is fucked up, I don't know how to fix it, but his point is that in real life, you can use a calculator. In a job, you can google it. You can ask that guy sitting next to you.
      Sure, it pays to know it yourself--that way you don't have to keep asking--but if it's something you really need to know, you'll learn after asking the second or third time.

    4. Re:Kudos to Austria. by iamhassi · · Score: 1

      "Testing is about WHAT THE STUDENT HAS LEARNED NOT WHO THEY ARE CALLING HAS LEARNED!!!"

      Agreed. I can see it now:

      Student: Mom, what's 2+2?
      Mom: Now timmy, we went over your math homework yesterday, I know you know the answer to that.
      Student: Yeah but I forgot
      Mom: Timmy, you're 19 years old, it's about time you learn basic math
      Student: I can't mom, the teachers let me call whoever I want for help so I'll probably never learn

      If anything I'd rather the teachers let them use Google. At least then they're learning how to use a search engine and a valuable research resource, and judging by some of the dumb "Ask Slashdot"s lately we really need to teach people how to use Google.

      --
      my karma will be here long after I'm gone
  2. um, wtf? by stuartdb · · Score: 1

    Ok, as an IT student I have always thought how stupid exams are. In the work place if I am not sure on something I simply RTFM. But this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Calling an expert in an exam?

    Isn't the point of an exam to test the knowledge of the person sitting it?

    If studies have suggested that exams aren't appropriate, then use something else to test a students knowledge. I actually learn alot more by doing an assignment then I do cramming for an exam.

    Switch exams for assignments, labs, studies or even some kind of part time employment programme, but allowing students to ring others in an exam is not the answer to helping students gain knowledge and prepare them for employment.

    1. Re:um, wtf? by Starlon · · Score: 1

      Well, traditional colleges aren't there to prepare you for employment. They're there to teach you critical thinking skills, which many employers rightfully value. Although some courses and offices may be designed specifically to prepare you for employment -- such as a resume course, or your university's "career services" office.

      Considering that, many institutes of learning and professors have broken away from the tradition. The traditional exam is feared by students, and many educators argue that they don't particularly do much for them. They are often seen as a necessary evil. That doesn't have to be the case, as I learned first hand from several courses during college. I've sat many untraditional exams, and I don't feel they made me any lesser of a student. While I forgot a lot of the material, I took in what was memorable. If a phone call triggers the memorable response, and I retain that knowledge for the rest of my life, I can't really say that the untraditional exam method proved a disadvantage. It's arguably more likely that I will make a memorable connection with this special question that I just can't seem to answer if I take a moment to A) Look at my (professor-allowed) cheat sheet that I personally prepared. B) Get a hint from the professor. C) Make a phone call to an upper classman. Or whatever the professor has allowed within the exam's rules. These are tools a student is allowed, and it is up to the student to use them wisely. That is where the critical thinking skills come in handy.

      --
      Health Freedom is almost as popular as Freedom itself.
  3. Could work by Starlon · · Score: 1

    I think it's too much trouble to be any benefit to the class (It could disturb others with everyone running to the front of the room to get permission, then make the actual call), but it's not unlike allowing a cheat sheet in an exam. You can get the cheat sheet answers from friends before class. Granted you have to predict the questions, but in any well organized course work, that is usually not a problem. I wouldn't be the professor to incorporate this with the big "surprise" question though. You know, the one that comes from the textbook's footnotes that few students ever read. Sometimes it's for extra credit. Maybe the professor could explicitly exclude the extra credit question from the phone call rule. At any rate, I've had professors who would likely allow something like this. Of course I've had professors who would absolutely condemn such a notion. (Damnit, just let me bring a calculator. I've got a mild case of dyscalculia.)

    --
    Health Freedom is almost as popular as Freedom itself.
  4. Ninth Post! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    yep.