I tend to take this view on Chegg with regards to cheating. If one is using the solutions on chegg to a text book for homework to learn the material, then I don't see it as directly cheating. The key word I used was "to learn." For example, say I am stuck on a problem. I have looked through my notes and book to no avail as they don't help with hints on the approach. Also, I am unable to ask my professor about the problem in time that the problem is due. Then, I go to chegg to get some help on this problem that I am stuck on,again, after exhausting all other resources. By looking at the solution, I am able to make a connection, or see the approach needed. Then, I solve the problem and get it correct. Here, I acknowledge that I would not have gotten the problem 100% correct without chegg. This is where I draw the line on cheating by using chegg.
By using chegg, I was able to understand the problem fundamentally. So much so, that if a student, or even the professor approached me about this same problem, I could explain every aspect of the solution with a solid understanding ( the problem is math.). This I don't consider cheating by using chegg. I used the site a a learning tool to help me figure it out, as I have learned how to do the problem and can even explain it to others afterward.
Conversely, if I would have copied down the solution from chegg, and didn't really understand it, and could not explain anything about the solution to the problem, then this I consider cheating.
Recently, I have debated with myself on rather using chegg is cheating. For now, this is where I draw the line. As long as I am using the site a learning tool for understanding and not as an easy way out, I don't think it is cheating.
As an aside: I tend to take on the philosophy in life that, one has to use outside resources to figure some things out sometimes in life. There will not always be someone to explain things to you about a particular subject. So the better I am at being resourceful, the better off I will be in life after college. Doctors are always looking things up to help patients with health problems. Are they cheating too?
I recognize that others would still consider my current approach as cheating. There is so much grey area here. Please, I would appreciate some feed back about my post. Is what I outlined still cheating to you?
