Hello brothers and sister. I wanted to share a moment in my daily life as a teacher. A moment that called for understanding. One that called for a decision that I pray will become a positive one in the end.
Recently I was giving an exam in history course. It’s a tough AP course and nowadays there are a myriad of apps available to assist in cheating. However, I employed an app that can oversee my students computers while they take their exams and what I learned is just over 70% of my students op... moreHello brothers and sister. I wanted to share a moment in my daily life as a teacher. A moment that called for understanding. One that called for a decision that I pray will become a positive one in the end.
Recently I was giving an exam in history course. It’s a tough AP course and nowadays there are a myriad of apps available to assist in cheating. However, I employed an app that can oversee my students computers while they take their exams and what I learned is just over 70% of my students opted to attempt to cheat their way through the exam. I didn’t say anything during because I wanted to see exactly how prevalent this option is amongst supposedly even our brightest students. So I went home with that knowledge. Prayed on it and about how best to handle the situation. The answer was clear right away and I thought of God’s forgiveness, his patience, the perseverance of Christ in all things true….and I let that guide my handling of my classes. So I spoke with them plainly about the matter, my concern over what happened. And I used the moment to understand the problems the modern age with its conveniences and temptations. I told them my expectations going forward and how we’ll be taking our exams from here on out. My intention was to place in themselves a sense of faith upon their own capabilities instead of an outside reliance on answers from the temptation of convenient outside source. I trust I did the right thing because I trust in God. However I am concerned about this generation and where they place their faith, not just about God, but about honesty and truth. It appears to be becoming all to easily replaced by technology, although that has also served to sharpen my resolve.
Be well, brothers and sisters.
CAA Casey Burns
Priory of St. Helena.
