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I Failed A Training Test...In A Class That Has Become A Joke

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Cyberdragon:
My electrical cert class is becoming a joke. Here in the US it's a 4 year coarse run by the National Center for Construction Education and Research, which is supposed to have standards, which I have yet to see upheld (except in the basic job training class). At least the last electrical class with another prof had lab time..though his teaching consisted of highlighting sections of the book. ::) This time it took us forever to get through the first section because the teacher kept trying to do the test online and it didn't work for weeks and he finally just made us take it on paper, which I aced because I actually understood it (AC theory). Today he just gives us the test on the entire section of electric motors, controllers, and regulations, and I flunked it and had to retake it (which gives 70% for a retake), and he only had one class prior on it which was a crappy connection zoom call where we went over some in book review questions. The other 4 students did ok on it, the sponge brain guy who said he can cram study, the 2 others that have jobs in the field, and one guy who literally CHEATED! He had his book out behind his bag so the teacher couldn't see, and I straight up called him out and the teacher just looked like "whatever man"...eating candies and listening to loud music. :palm: God forbid we have any lab work where we can take apart motors to actually see how they work (which AFAIK is supposed to be required as part of the class). I paid $700 to be taught...not read an annoying book full of text walls and diagrams and expect to memorize a whole chapter (note: I don't hate technical books, I have a collection like a lot of us here do, I just use them for references, I don't want to memorize a whole chapter, I don't learn anything that way). He has powerpoints, but he only used the ones for this section well before we even got to take the first section test, which would have likely told us which sections to were important to study and actually help memorize through verbal instruction, or take notes, or anything like a normal class. He even admitted he didn't know was going to be on the test (but again...the powerpoints exist for a reason!)

This is an example of what you are supposed to do in these classes. https://www.nccer.org/news-research/newsroom/blogpost/breaking-ground-the-nccer-blog/2016/03/16/classroom-lab-management-what-works-what-doesn-t

T3sl4co1l:
So then what, report them (presumably the cheater and instructor?) to the board or whatever?

Tim

james_s:
There's that old saying about cheaters that applies here, they're really only cheating themselves in the long run. I wouldn't worry about what other people are doing, the only thing that really matters is how well you learn the material yourself. Sounds like this professor leaves a lot to be desired.

Cyberdragon:

--- Quote from: T3sl4co1l on June 11, 2021, 04:17:26 am ---So then what, report them (presumably the cheater and instructor?) to the board or whatever?

Tim

--- End quote ---

Here in lies the problem, with what evidence? There is a board member in the building with us. But this guy is sneaky and that board guy is clueless. The prof reports everything as OK to this inspector before each class, and has frequent zoom classes. And here's the kicker, the class is supposed to last from 6pm to 9pm (as we are supposed to have lecture and lab), but the inspector leaves at around 7pm, so he dismisses us after waffling around at about 7:15 to 7:30, same with his stupid zoom call. Walks right out and shuts the lights off or closes the connection.

But...I might have a chance as it is going to look weirdly suspicious that a student instantly goes from aceing to flunking. He might pop in to ask what's up, and I'll have a chance to call him out. The instructor will be pissed but so be it. Other than that, I don't know, I'll have to play it real careful as it's my word against his, none of the other students will admit it, they don't have an issue (they are probably used to this kind of crap instruction and learn to sponge up and regurgitate whole book chapters then forget them). The cheater definately won't say anything and I'm actuallly surprised he did it, I had him in my last class, he must have been struggling to but I never thought he'd resort to that.

jpanhalt:
Is your purpose to get certified or to set that aspect of the world right?  Ever hear of Don Quixote?

Did the cheater harm you?  Does the school have a functioning honor system?  If both are "no," forget about it.  Focus on passing  the exams and move on.

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