In the field of educational technology, there is a growing trend of apps that provide on-demand homework help to students. These apps not only offer assistance but also provide answers to homework questions. The debate around whether this is considered cheating or not is ongoing. However, the focus should be on how teachers can adapt to this new reality and utilize these apps to enhance learning.
Let’s take a closer look at seven apps that can do your homework for you and what they have to say about cheating.
PhotoMath
Price: Free
Availability: iOS, Android app coming in early 2015
PhotoMath is an innovative app that allows users to take pictures of typed equations and provides step-by-step solutions. While some may argue that this app promotes cheating, the creators emphasize that their intention is to help students learn. The app has received positive reviews from educators, although it remains quite controversial.
iHomework
iHomework is a comprehensive app designed to help students organize their assignments. Whether you’re a high school student or a college student, iHomework can assist you in keeping track of all your work. It allows you to sort assignments by due date, week, month, or course. The integration of data from Questia enables you to link your reading material to your assignments, making it easier to access the necessary information.
Google Apps for Education
Google Apps for Education provides a suite of browser-based apps that are safe for school use. This collection includes popular tools such as Gmail, Hangouts, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Drive, along with Classroom, a digital hub for organizing assignments and facilitating collaboration. The offline functionality of these apps makes them ideal for students looking to work distraction-free. Additionally, it works on any device, saving students the need for expensive hardware.
HwPic
Price: Free, but some homework services require payment
Availability: iOS and Android
HwPic is a tutoring service that allows students to take pictures of their homework and receive step-by-step solutions from tutors within minutes. The app faced rejection from Apple’s App Store initially due to concerns about promoting cheating. However, the founders successfully argued that the app should not be punished for misuse. HwPic explicitly prohibits cheating in its terms and conditions, although completely eliminating cheating is unrealistic.
Wolfram Alpha
Price: $2.99
Availability: iOS and Android
Wolfram Alpha is a powerful app that targets older students studying high-level math. Unlike PhotoMath, it does not support photo recognition. Instead, it provides step-by-step solutions to complex topics like vector calculus and differential equations. The app encourages students to engage in computer-based math, as it enhances conceptual understanding and drives students to explore further concepts.
Homework Helper
Price: Free
Availability: iOS and Android
Homework Helper, developed by Chinese search company Baidu, allows students to crowdsource help or answers to their homework questions. Users can post their questions on online forums, and those who answer correctly can earn e-coins, which can be used to purchase electronics. While this app has gained popularity with millions of downloads, some argue that it takes away from critical thinking. It is essential to strike a balance between using the app for assistance and developing problem-solving skills.
Slader
Price: Free, but some homework services require payment
Availability: iOS
Slader is a crowdsourcing app that enables high school and college students to post and answer math and science questions. While students can post original homework for help, there are already many answers available for questions in popular textbooks. This app has faced criticism, with allegations of students using it to cheat on their math homework. However, Slader believes that it challenges traditional ideas about math education and provides real-time help for students.
These apps offer a range of features and benefits to students in need of homework assistance. While concerns about cheating exist, the focus should be on how teachers can adapt their teaching methods to incorporate these apps and leverage the benefits they offer.
FAQs
Q: Are these apps considered cheating?
A: The use of these apps has sparked debate about whether it is considered cheating. However, it’s important to note that the intention behind these apps is to assist students in their learning process. It ultimately depends on how the apps are utilized.
Q: Can these apps replace traditional teaching methods?
A: These apps should not be seen as a replacement for traditional teaching methods. They are tools that can supplement and enhance the learning experience. Teachers can adapt their teaching strategies to incorporate these apps and utilize them as resources in the classroom.
Conclusion
Incorporating technology into education has its advantages and challenges. These apps provide students with convenient access to homework help and solutions. While concerns about cheating exist, it is crucial to focus on how these apps can be used to enhance learning and support students’ academic progress. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential for educators to adapt and embrace these tools to create an engaging and effective learning environment.