Thread: school help

Hey i know there are rules against asking homework and such questions but i was wondering if a sub forum or something could be set up for those kinda questions, that way they wouldn't clog up the forums and members could deal with them only if they wanted. I just reckon it would be quite helpful.

I think the aversion against homework questions isn't so much not wanting to clog the subforums as it is a reluctance to give answers to those who don't seem willing to work for them.

That being said, I think I speak for most of us here when I say we're certainly willing to help a student in need. We'd just rather show you how to fish on your own rather than plate you up a blackened snapper each time you visit! :-)

In other words, if you start a thread that begins with a disclosure that you're having a hard time with homework and you'd like some pointers, not necessarily answers, you'll probably get a lot of help. We just want to see what you've done so far to arrive at the answer, or what your understanding of the topic is.

Often we can get you on the right track without just giving you the answer away, which will be a far more rewarding and sustainable result for you as well.

That's a very different sort of request than the person who just drops in and retypes their exact homework questions without any other dialog. Trust me, the members here are itching to show off their chemistry, math and physics skills. The just want some thing from it all as well: a fun and/or challenging discussion and knowing that they helped someone learn.

fair enough, thanks

in earth sciences my take on homework is summed up as follows in the "homework" sticky - other moderators may have slightly different opinions for their part of the forum, but i doubt whether it is a million miles away from the following thought on the subject :

I know we don't get too many homework questions in this part of the forum, but in case you're willing to ask one anyway, a couple of points I want to make on the subject :

1. We will not do your homework for you. It has been given to you for a good reason, to help in the learning process. To put it tritely, you will learn by doing your homework rather than having someone else do it for you.
2. At their own discretion, members may be willing to offer help for homework questions. That is their right, not yours, so don't feel disgruntled if you don't get any responses.
3. You can increase your chances of illiciting a response by showing that you have given the subject / question some thought, and that despite the best of your efforts you're hopelessly stuck. Explain WHY you are stuck, this may make any help you receive more relevant to your problem.
4. In general, members who respond are likely to give you hints and pointers rather than the complete answer. Please DO show that you have thought about them and follow them up. The more you show that you're willing to put in some effort yourself, the better your chance of receiving further help.

Looking on the bright side, I do not intend to lock or delete threads just because they are homework. The reverse of the coin is that I can't guarantee you will receive a satisfactory answer to your problem.