Mundane News

[DCLane]

A couple of weeks ago I bought a 'commissioned' assignment from an essay writing company, with the assignment arriving today. That's been forwarded onto several colleagues to see whether it's passable / the grade they'd give / whether they notice. I'll own up later and provide cake as an apology.

The reason is we're seeing an increase in these, together with others where we're suspicious, but don't have a full understanding of the process. Now I know a bit more and it'll feed into an assignment re-design aimed to make it harder to use third party commissioned assessments.

Note: if it doesn't score a Distinction at Master's level I get a full refund. It's my module, so somehow I've a feeling it won't

 

[fossyant]

A couple of weeks ago I bought a 'commissioned' assignment from an essay writing company, with the assignment arriving today. That's been forwarded onto several colleagues to see whether it's passable / the grade they'd give / whether they notice. I'll own up later and provide cake as an apology.

The reason is we're seeing an increase in these, together with others where we're suspicious, but don't have a full understanding of the process. Now I know a bit more and it'll feed into an assignment re-design aimed to make it harder to use third party commissioned assessments.

Note: if it doesn't score a Distinction at Master's level I get a full refund. It's my module, so somehow I've a feeling it won't

Wow, that's madness. We're seeing alot more at our Uni too, but wow !

 

[DCLane]

Wow, that's madness. We're seeing alot more at our Uni too, but wow !

A 4000 word report has cost me £100 and it's easily good enough to pass imo.

I'm increasingly busy with viva's and investigations for possible third-party commissioned work and the number has taken off over the past year. Anything that'll help us learn about how to detect commissioned work and design it out is useful as we're highly unlikely to be going back to in-person exams.

This can also help feed into deterrent activity which stops students from considering this route as an option rather than writing their own submission.

 

[Gwylan]

Hopefully the system will join up the dots if necessary.

It is really important that someone knows all the pieces of these possible cases

 

[Gwylan]

It has stoped raining.

Post this morning's security panic I am going cycling.

 

[fossyant]

The sewing machine (long arm quilter) seems to be behaving and the thread snapping has stopped. I can get on with work without the swearing !

 

[Andy in Germany]

A 4000 word report has cost me £100 and it's easily good enough to pass imo.

I'm increasingly busy with viva's and investigations for possible third-party commissioned work and the number has taken off over the past year. Anything that'll help us learn about how to detect commissioned work and design it out is useful as we're highly unlikely to be going back to in-person exams.

This can also help feed into deterrent activity which stops students from considering this route as an option rather than writing their own submission.

I don't see the point of this: okay you may get past the exam, but the cost and planning mean you may as well do it yourself, and even if you graduate, sooner or later you will be found out in the real world.

 

[DCLane]

@Andy in Germany - the student is either working, has not done any/enough study, has run out of time or doesn't have the English language writing skills. Usually a combination of these.

And yes, ideally they would be found out at some point but only if they're using the subject studied.

It's increasing with online companies happy to make money out of students who are desperate to pass at any cost. We've methods of identifying possible suspect contract writing (Turnitin / Turnitin Authorship / Turnitin AI are those I use amongst others) but it all takes time - time that we're getting less of. There's a temptation to just pass it at a bare pass / fail the work rather than put the significant effort in needed to investigate and follow through.

Attach yourself to any university Instagram / Facebook / similar and you're deluged with offers of assignments being written for you.

 

[mybike]

If you are ever tempted to click on the adverts to order them, here's a tip:

Imagine what beans taste like if they are half rotted with bacteria.

Got that idea in your head? Good. Now you don't need to order them.

I read somewhere that some people just eat it out of habit.

 

[mybike]

Leave it where it lands after cutting: it'll dry and blow away or rot and feed the rest of the grass.

Or the dog will bring it into the house on it's feet & I'll get moaned at.

 

[biggs682]

It's rained here for a short while

 

[biggs682]

Working day completed
Brown garden waste and green recycling bins kerbside.
Stressful evening ahead that will include a trip along the A45 in both directions

 

[Gwylan]

Despite the cultural invasion we have experienced, I remembered the real point is cycling
So, despite this morning's diversions I did that
A whole new route around the lanes. Turned into a 40 km adventure. A right turn instead of a left one caused that.
But, it was cold offset by the sunshine.
Cup of tea and a bit of cake next.
Then a hose down for the bike.

 

[DCLane]

I'm in trouble with SWMBO for buying too many bikes. So much so that four are on sale and she looked at my recently rebuilt finger that I blended with a "buy any more and I'll be blending something more delicate" comment.

So why do I have a bid on a bike?

And is there anyone on the East side of York that could collect for me?

 

[PeteXXX]

I wish I'd have worn my woolly hat when I took the dog for our walkies!! It was decidedly chilly ❄️