“And don’t forget to look at the answer key tonight before our big test tomorrow,” says the math teacher. Oh, many students will be looking at the answer key, alright — just not to check their answers, but to copy them down. Realistically, only math teachers post answer keys, but generally, they do more harm than good. 

There are some alternatives to posting the answer key. One of which is just posting the direct answers to the questions. There is an extremely low chance that a student gets the answer right but the steps wrong, because each step logically leads to the next. By writing the answer and not the steps on the answer key, it’s hard for students who didn’t do the work to trace it back.

Additionally, many math teachers go over the answer key before the test. The in-class copy can be the copy with the steps. Typically, this is when math teachers ask students if they have any questions and where they made an error. Shockingly, no one ever has any questions until the tests are on their desks, but eliminating answer keys could provide for more interactive class discussions and higher test averages per class. Addressing confusion before tests leads to overall higher test scores. 

If students care enough to check their work, then they can check the answer key before the test with the teacher to address any confusion. If all students do that, then I would say that’s the only scenario in which the answer key should be posted, but many times that’s nowhere near the case.

By not posting the answer key on Google Classroom, math teachers are encouraging student voice, endorsing higher test scores, and promoting class participation. Evidently, answer keys lead to students feverishly writing down the answer without thinking once. Removing them would lead to better student performance and overall class participation.