Is "homework help" really helping?

I think in some cases, helping someone figure out literature or another language is helping but for really simple questions that look like a kid's too lazy to do the work, are we really helping them by answering?

Completely undecided here....

samiracat2006-08-22T16:33:12Z

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Oh, I have quite a bit of fun in this section, and it's not by setting kids up, either. Will NOT do the work for them---but I don't see anything wrong with giving them a couple of leading questions to help get them started thinking on an essay, or how to begin a research problem.
If you're relatively new to writing essays, "write a research paper" may be a sentence that strikes terror in your heart. Especially when you have no idea how to limit your topic, or where to get started.
I enjoy referring them to good books/references that can help drive their searches--they still have to do the footwork.
But some of the questions, sheesh----the posters seem awfully optimistic, that we'll do their work for them. I foresee great futures for some of them in governmental offices....

Rev Kev2006-08-22T21:35:23Z

Depends on the asker.

I agree that if someone is just looking for an easy way out, then we're not doing him any favors. But then, he'll find that out come test time. If someone can't figure something as easy as x+3=5 (well, easy for me, anyway), then he'll suffer on his test.

But some people honestly do struggle, especially in math. Also, in literature, because it involves critical thinking.

As long as answers are thorough and explain the process, then there is a good chance that they will help. If someone doesn't know x+3=5, then someone explaining it may jostle his brain the right way--in a way that the teacher apparently could not do.

If someone asks a question as easy as x+3=5, I assume he is honestly having trouble instead of looking for easy answers. It takes less time to solve that than it does to type it out.

I've received some positive feedback on some solutions I've offered. So I know it helps *some* kids. I don't doubt that I've also helped some cheaters, but that's their problem and not mine. The final exam will show that.

always a friend2006-08-22T21:43:15Z

Hell no,they already have it way to easy. Let them search through 20 books to fine an answer or use a dictionary to check spelling. They just don't know how easy they have it.

baby2006-08-22T21:36:45Z

no i did worse when i had homework help =[
cause both of the teachers were teaching two different ways
it was annoying