Austrian Students Can "Phone a Friend" During Exams

In an attempt to boost test scores, some Austrian students will be able to "phone a friend" if they get stuck on a test question. The students will be able to call teachers, doctors, or other experts for help when they don't know an answer. Teacher Reinhard Peter came up with the idea while watching "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," and says, "They can call doctors, teachers and other people to ask their help. Many of them suddenly have exam anxiety as though they were sitting in the classroom taking the exam. They get nervous on the phone and feel that if they give the wrong answer they are not only failing themselves but the pupil who is calling them as well." Peter adds that all of his students have passed their exams since he allowed the calls, and he has no plans for installing a 50:50 policy.

Kudos to Austria.

[ikefox]

I hope this is the beginning of a trend. I like learning that mirrors real world situations. You can never underutilize your available resources, whether as a student or working for money in a career. This is an aspect of the world that is ignored in the classroom, historically speaking. The ability to phone someone you know for information is a good thing to teach.

Re:

[gamanimatron]

Please explain, with supporting references, why this might be a good thing and how it compares and contrasts with other innovations in modern education.

'Cause I'm interested but can't be bothered to figure it out myself.

Re:

[Secret Rabbit]

I really hope you're joking, because this is one of the most stupid things I've ever heard of. Testing is about WHAT THE STUDENT HAS LEARNED NOT WHO THEY ARE CALLING HAS LEARNED!!!

Re:

[iamhassi]

"Testing is about WHAT THE STUDENT HAS LEARNED NOT WHO THEY ARE CALLING HAS LEARNED!!!"

Agreed. I can see it now:

Student: Mom, what's 2+2?
Mom: Now timmy, we went over your math homework yesterday, I know you know the answer to that.
Student: Yeah but I forgot
Mom: Timmy, you're 19 years old, it's about time you learn basic math
Student: I can't mom, the teachers let me call whoever I want for help so I'll probably never learn

If anything I'd rather the teachers let them use Google. At least t

um, wtf?

[stuartdb]

Ok, as an IT student I have always thought how stupid exams are. In the work place if I am not sure on something I simply RTFM. But this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Calling an expert in an exam?

Isn't the point of an exam to test the knowledge of the person sitting it?

If studies have suggested that exams aren't appropriate, then use something else to test a students knowledge. I actually learn alot more by doing an assignment then I do cramming for an exam.

Switch exams for assignments, la

Re:

[Starlon]

Well, traditional colleges aren't there to prepare you for employment. They're there to teach you critical thinking skills, which many employers rightfully value. Although some courses and offices may be designed specifically to prepare you for employment -- such as a resume course, or your university's "career services" office.

Considering that, many institutes of learning and professors have broken away from the tradition. The traditional exam is feared by students, and many educators argue that they do

Could work

[Starlon]

I think it's too much trouble to be any benefit to the class (It could disturb others with everyone running to the front of the room to get permission, then make the actual call), but it's not unlike allowing a cheat sheet in an exam. You can get the cheat sheet answers from friends before class. Granted you have to predict the questions, but in any well organized course work, that is usually not a problem. I wouldn't be the professor to incorporate this with the big "surprise" question though. You know, th