Academic dishonesty (was "Apologies and responsibility")

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 139418

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "lealess" <lealess at y...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Matt" <hpfanmatt at g...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Matt" <hpfanmatt at g...> wrote:
> > <BIG SNIP>
> > As I said in the prior post, it does bother me a bit that Harry 
> > doesn't disabuse Slughorn of the misconception that his 
> > potionmaking is intuitive, but what is being taught is the ability
> > to successfully make the potion, not  intuition.   
> > <MORE SNIPPAGE>
> > 
> > -- Matt

> lealess:
> 
> The problem I have with Harry's use of the notations: he didn't do 
> the work (research, or even finding and buying cheat sheets) to get 
> the notations on his own and yet he is passing off the improved 
> potions he gets as his own innovations.  ...edited...
> 
> Harry doesn't take using the notes seriously because he is not going 
> to pursue a career in potions, he's used to dancing on the edge of 
> propriety, and he's used to having extra help.  ...edited...
> 
> Anyway, it seems like a kind of cheating, though perhaps not 
> technically -- more of a moral failure, to me.  It's just 
> not "upstanding."
> 
> lealess

bboyminn:

Let's change the scenrio slightly. Let's say that Harry found a nice
detailed Potions book at the bookstore or in the library, and brought
that to class because he felt it was a more up-to-date and more
accurate referecence than a 50 year old text book. Would you still
have the same view of his cheating, even if you don't consider it
/technically/ cheating?

I think probably not. As I pointed out, it would be more than fair for
a student to bring additional reference information into class to
perform a Physics or Chemistry experiment and I think that same thing
can be applied to Potions, as long as, he isn't required to write up
the experiment afterwards. Then, as I already pointed out, he has some
obligation to cite additional reference material. But not doing so, is
merely an oversight, it hardly constitutes cheating or plagiarism.

Just a thought.

Steve/bboyminn