> Really? You've NEVER made an error on an exam? EVERY question was
> perfect?

A.  I don't think anyone here is claiming never to have made a mistake.  The
point is, when you make a mistake, you take your lumps.
B.  Calm down.  This is getting too heated I fear.

> The example given of the Mars probe doesn't count. Humans make mistakes.
> No matter HOW brutal a teacher is, humans will ALWAYS make mistakes.

And no teacher is ever as brutal as the real world.  Of course that example
"counts"!  The assumption that the number somehow has more inherent
value than the units is a flaw in thinking which must be corrected.

> Mistakes happen. To think that by punishing them with a sledge hammer
> will eliminate them is IMHO unrealistic.

True, but back to the original example, the bright student given a "C" for
writing down the wrong units:  If that prof took MORE points than that
question is normally worth for that, then no, that's not right.  However, if
that question was one of four on an exam, and thus worth 25 points, and
the prof took all 25 points for putting the wrong units down, that's
perfectly reasonable.

Look, if the proper answer is 25 kWh and I write 25 kW, I'm wrong, as
surely as if I'd written 25 mph or yellow or Marie Antoinette.  In fact,
I'd argue that it's more important that the proper UNITS pop out at the
end than that the proper number does.  Proper units shows diligence
and understanding of base concepts.  Proper maths shows good
calculator skills.

Mike H.
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist