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The original was posted on /r/AmItheAsshole by /u/Kamehameha119 on 2023-09-14 20:01:32.
I am doing a favor for a friend and filling in as a Computer Science teacher when he’s on extended leave.
His syllabus states that online homework assignments must be submitted with the proper filename format. It’s quite simple: The name of the assignment, plus the last four digits of their Student ID number. The name that they are supposed to use is given in the instructions. So, for an assignment where they had to write a simple program to add two numbers it might be something like addition_0732.py. If something isn’t submitted with the right filename format, then it technically doesn’t count until it’s re-submitted properly.
I didn’t create this policy. My buddy did, and the principal of the school approved the syllabus.
Problem is that they can’t follow these simple instructions. Half the time they don’t know how to upload a file, or they forgot their Student ID number (despite carrying an ID with them). Often they take screenshots of code, take pics of their screen, submit code in Word documents, and so on. All of this despite being shown nearly every class how to do it.
I’ve told them that I won’t be accepting anything that is not in the proper file format, or anything that doesn’t have the proper filename format. The main reason for this is that I cannot run their program if it’s a screenshot. I automate a large part of the grading, so it’s also harder if things don’t have the proper title.
So far, half the class has zeros for the a few assignments because they didn’t follow directions.
The principal has asked me to be more lenient but I’m holding my ground. I say they’re high schoolers and they’re old enough to figure stuff out.
AITA?
It seems that 99% of these AITA posts are answered by “you’re technically correct, but an asshole in the way you’re doing it”
If I’m in engineering class and assigned to make a miniature bridge and instead I hand in a photo of a wooden bridge, have I done the work assigned?
If you are assigned to make a program that does a function then you should make a program that does that function, not send a photo of the code that would do that as a screen shot from your phone. If I were a teacher I would assume they didn’t even type it, just copy and pasted it from someone else.