[fredr123]

The article from The Star asks what the difference is between an online study group and a bunch of students sitting around in the library or some other study hall working on questions together. I think it's a valid question.

To me, the critical difference is between how easy it may be to participate in an online group versus actually sitting in a dank basement study hall with paint peeling off the asbestos-stuffed walls. If I may draw a parallel with the music industry, piracy didn't seem to be of concern to record labels so long as it involved people making mixed tapes for their friends. As soon as digital technology came along that made duplication easier and much more convenient, the industry went up in arms.

If it wasn't for study groups, tutorials, etc. there are a few classes I would have had difficulty passing. Not only passing, I suppose, but learning the material (which, I would argue, is more important than getting a good grade). At the end of the day, incidents like this really only affects your grade on assignments. I would assume that the university standard proctored final exam was employed at the end of the term and Facebook will do you little good there.

tkflames: Forcing people to work completely independently in school is great training for industry jobs. I know for a fact that I never collaborate with any of my colleagues in my office and I certainly wouldn't ask for help from anyone else in the industry.