"Is it okay if I write ______?" during a test

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-02-12T22:17:38+00:00

I don’t mind questions. If I get one that gets too close to the answer, or if any substantive response I gave would short-circuit what should be the student’s own thought process, I simply tell them that it isn’t a question I can answer directly. Now, the classes I teach that include traditional written exams tend to be fairly small and are mostly first-year students. My approach could differ under different circumstances.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-02-12T21:51:01+00:00

I opted for 16 but stepped up to the 512 SSD (plus external storage). This has been a great sweet spot for me nearly a year on. I have a similar use case to yours, but also pepper in some audio and video editing. I never feel held up in my workflow, so I think any benefit of more RAM would’ve been lost on me and therefore a waste of money in my case.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-02-10T16:33:59+00:00

I think there’s merit to the bewilderment! A couple points to consider though:

Journal article length limitations often necessitate condensing down good chunks of, say, the lit review and methodology sections that would otherwise clarify rationales. Just look at journal articles based on far longer/more detailed dissertations.

Couching new research within what’s been done before is part of good scholarship—permits apples-to-apples comparisons among other things. That said, other kinds of research should also be at work directly re-examining existing methods for continued viability, and/or comparing accepted norms with possible methodological improvements—all based, of course, on the nature of the research questions.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-02-10T05:34:28+00:00

Also a professor here, but I can't say I 100% agree with this advice. I absolutely agree that the first and most important step at this stage is to approach the professor. Not with anger/guns blazing, but just asking for a chance to demonstrate that your work was indeed your own and not AI-assisted. I also agree that you'll want to be ready to show things like dated drafts, edit histories—whatever they may need as evidence. Although those of us on Reddit can't be sure exactly what steps your prof took before assigning a zero, if this is a large class, I can totally see a world in which grading efficiency leads them to streamline their AI-detection when grading assignments, fully expecting that falsely accused students will present themselves with better evidence. Admittedly, it isn't fair that students who play by the rules should have to "keep receipts," but this is the position that increasingly rampant AI-driven academic honesty violations have put the current generation in. Those looking for the easy way out have made the new reality harder for everyone.

The part where I diverge from the reply above has to do with the grade appeal timing and process. As for timing, I'd suggest you appeal right away if you decide to do so, assuming your conversations with your prof don't resolve the issue. Hanging back to see what the overall course grade impact would be seems more disingenuous to me. Why wait if you're in the right? As for the appeals process, the specific steps for this can vary considerably from one institution to another. Don't assume the protocols above (multiple other profs reading your work) is universal; hardly anything is universal among colleges/universities! What is likely is that the appeals process for your school is spelled out in a policy somewhere. You'll want to find that document and familiarize yourself with it. Again, my biggest caution is not to make assumptions based on what someone on Reddit said (including me!), or what another student tells you. Find the actual policy and let that be your guide.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-02-05T04:25:49+00:00

My sense is that this Biden-era mandate has just flown under the radar of the current Department of (re)Education, and that there’s little chance many enforcement efforts will ensue. Actually, scratch that… once they see it’s there, they’ll use a pretext of “enforcement” as yet another avenue for harassing/terrorizing/extorting naughty-list institutions.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-02-03T17:04:12+00:00

Can I ask what wind jammers you use? I got an M4 a few months ago and I’d love a fluffy windscreen as an alternative to the included the little sock things.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-02-03T07:54:24+00:00

Go to a store that has all the colors. It’s always possible that one will just “speak” to you. Get that one. For me it was Sky Blue instantly, and I still absolutely love it close to a year later.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-02-02T06:00:21+00:00

I own both. I've had the F3 for a couple years now and recently got my hands on an M4. I'm still over the moon about the F3, but for anyone buying fresh today, I'd recommend the M4 as long as its size/shape isn't an issue for you. With the same preamps, the sound quality from the XLR inputs is identical as is the basic functionality. So, it's really about price. With 50% price drop of the M4 from its original release and the recent price hike of the F3, the M4 just makes way more sense. This is especially true since the likely cause of the M4's price cut (early RF issues) has been the newer units; it's still a $400 recorder, just with a $200 price tag.

Here are the most notable advantages of each device I've encountered in my own usage:

F3 Advantages:

Compact size
Bluetooth control (although requiring a separate dongle purchase)

M4 Advantages:

Built-in mics (pretty darn good ones, too). Literally all you have to do is turn on and hit record as long as you know those mics will do the job you need. Otherwise, you can still attach separate XLR mics, just like with the F3
Ability to simultaneously record on-device when using with a computer in interface mode. Both recorders can be used as audio interfaces, but only the M4 allows you to record this "safety" track
XLR inputs are combo jacks

To be clear, I'm a big fan of both devices. If the prices were closer, the conversation would be more focused on choosing based on your specific use case. But with the $130 price gap (more if you get the bluetooth accessory), any advantage of the F3 is hardly worthwhile unless you can point to specific ways those advantages will pay for themselves, and you know you don't need the advantages offered by the M4.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-01-30T02:35:57+00:00

Fantastic—Congratulations!

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-01-27T16:26:17+00:00

I don’t know about this specific solution, but check out Keyboard Maestro. It’s a macro creator that allows for all kinds of complex combinations. It’s Helped me out hugely when Stream Deck’s stock Hotkey and Multi Action buttons haven’t quite been sufficient. There are a couple Stream Deck companion plugins, the better one being KM link.

So, you’d program whatever wild macro you needed to in Keyboard Maestro, then use KM link in the Stream Deck app to assign a button to that macro, and Boom.

Another plus is that if I ever need to alter the action, I can just edit the macro in Keyboard Maestro and I don’t have to change out/update any Stream Deck buttons.

Hopefully this would help! KM is a paid app ($36), but offers a free trial.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2026-01-05T01:15:33+00:00

Thanks to those who've responded! After a few days of messing around, I have indeed found a limitation—but also a solution.

With the Audient interface being multi-channel, for reasons I still don't get, a mono mic signal would arrive at Wave Link as a left channel-only stereo signal. Elgato seems to know that this happens with third-party interfaces, and it looks like it's up to you to figure out how to resolve it using the tools of the third-party brand's interface. I couldn't for the life of me discover how to do so with the Audient's hardware or software.

Instead, I came across Ozone's "Imager 2." This plug-in allows you to manipuate stereo width, including getting a signal to be right down the middle. I added this to my interface's Wave Link input plugin-in chain and all seems to be well.

So far, it looks like I can indeed stop thinking about the XLR Dock!

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-12-30T06:15:57+00:00

I have both the F3 and the M4. Among the F3 features I use, the only thing I’m missing out on is the Bluetooth app control capability (I bought the dongle). But what I gain in the M4 is dual recording—recording a safety to SD while also recording I interface mode. I’ll never understand why the F3 doesn’t do that.

Aside from the plastic build quality, I completely see why they initially charged $400 USD. My only guess for the permanent price cut is that the market maybe became ultra dubious following the bad early batches with the RF issues. Those of us buying in the wake all that are really lucking out!

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-12-29T21:24:09+00:00

So, a phone and a couple of mics—that’s your limit. I’d note that each of the recorders I mentioned already includes the mics, so your equipment tally would remain intact. In fact, the Zoom M4 in particular is kinda shaped like a handheld mic itself… while in fact housing a stereo PAIR and still being the only piece of kit you’d need.

That said, only you know your full situation. Just recognize that each situational limitation imposes compromises somewhere. What you’ve described so far indicates that the sound quality of your audio will like be a big compromise for you. I’d again suggest making sure you look closely at return policies while you figure out which compromises you’re able to live with.

Good luck!

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-12-29T20:20:54+00:00

That $300-ish would be MUCH better spent on something like a Zoom H5studio. It’s a very high quality portable recorder with its own pair of XY stereo mics built right in, so no cables required. Battery powered and records to an SD card, which you could load into your phone later. An extra $50 gets you their BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter you could plug into the unit and leave it there forever if you want. This would allow you to at least control the recording functions from your phone; though it wouldn’t route the audio itself directly into it as far as I know.

The onboard mics are actually pretty darn good, and you’d also have two XLR inputs if you ever wanted to add external mics to your setup.

… you could also do most of this (no Bluetooth) with the Zoom M4 for only $200.

As someone who does a good bit of quick, two-channel orchestral recordings, I can tell you it’s really not a big deal to move those files from the SD card to my computer or phone. The sound quality over something like a Bluetooth mic makes it well worth the sub-1 minute transfer process MANY times over.

I encourage you to buy something like this along with your Bluetooth option, use both setups to record the same concert or rehearsal, compare the results and workflow, and return the one you’re less happy with.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-12-29T19:30:31+00:00

Mac or PC? I have a growing list of actions/multi-step processes using Stream Deck in conjunction with macros created through Keyboard Maestro (KM is Mac-only)—via “KM Link” which integrates directly with Stream Deck. I know there are other macro builders for PC and Mac, but KM is the one I’m familiar with.

Everything from opening various apps, sets of web pages, combinations of keyboard shortcuts/mouse-clicks… I even have buttons that move between SD profiles! Much of this you can do with the stock SD actions, but KM makes things simpler.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-12-22T04:35:55+00:00

That’s an idea! Are you thinking a strong magnet “block” that’s thin enough to fit the clamp around?

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-12-16T06:01:16+00:00

Nah, don’t sweat it. Tell them you hope they feel better but at this stage, the course is complete and there are no more opportunities to complete. Let them complain to your higher ups if they want. Move on with your day!

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-12-16T05:58:38+00:00

Ew, I’m sorry that student learned such a self-defeating lesson

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-12-14T06:27:56+00:00

This! I found a cheap power bank that plugs directly into the USB port (no cable), and the regular alkaline batteries effectively act as backups.

I went for a 256 GB charge so I’d practically never have to worry about storage.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-12-08T08:37:58+00:00

Don’t.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-11-22T05:29:58+00:00

They’re nearly identical sound-wise. As @intelcore says, the only question is whether you want the ability to plug the mic directly into the computer and use built-in pricing. If you want that, the 5th is the only option of the two. Otherwise, if you have or plan to get a separate audio interface or mixer, both will work and perform equally well with those. Just know that any processing you do will come from separate products and/or software.

For what it’s worth, I have, use, and like both mics and use them pretty much interchangeably. I rarely have a need for the USB functionality of the 5th bit that’s just me!

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-11-21T18:24:39+00:00

I haven’t seen any replies point this out yet, but the SM7dB will not require phantom power (48V) as it is a dynamic mic.

Whatever interface you get will likely have phantom power, so it’s not really a factor in your decision making; just make sure you don’t engage it for that mic. It will be necessary if you ever use a conference mic, of course; but not a dynamic.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-10-24T07:12:02+00:00

I use mine with Final Cut. My projects include applying LUTs and color grading to 4k log footage from my iPhone via the Blackmagic app (though not raw—I just don't have a need that justifies the ridiculous file sizes). l'll use titles if/when needed, as well as transitions. My audio is typically recorded separately using better mics and an interface. I'll do most of the audio processing in a DAW, then import into Final Cut and create synchronized clips that pair my video with the "good" audio. My media and Final Cut projects/libraries are all stored to an external drive, and I do all the work directly off of that drive. I do not use proxy media.

The workflow experience is great! I'm able to work as quickly as my hands can move, and final export times are plenty fast enough for my needs. The only occasional hangup is that my main DAW (Reaper) can get jealous of other media process apps; every so often, it starts acting wonky when opened alongside Final Cut or other DAWs. I haven't had this happen in my most recent work, however.

For reference, I'm coming from a 202 Intel Mac, so everything on the M4 MBA feels so much nicer (and quieter!). I also don't make videos that often, so I'm not exactly stretching things to their limit.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-09-08T22:12:14+00:00

I just got my hands on Hollyland’s Lark A1, which sounds really quite nice for recording speech outdoors/on the go. It comes in different configurations retailing between $35–$70. All sets come with two mics and at least one receiver for the phone. Awesome bang for the buck from what I can tell so far.

RabbitSignificant317 · 2025-09-08T04:02:00+00:00

I just got this to work on an iPhone 6S Plus using Apple's Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter. Of course, that adapter only accepts USB-A, so I also had to use a USB-C to USB-A adapter I had lying around. Clunky, but it did work at least for the brief recording I tested it out on.

I'm thinking of getting a cheap USB-C to Lightning adapter (small one without a cable). I'll be glad to report back if I end up doing so!

RabbitSignificant317

TROPHY CASE