At Caltech, we had an honor system. Proctoring of exams was not allowed. Most exams were take home, even though they had strict time limits (normally 3 hours). Once you opened the test, you had 3 hours to finish it, but since you were in your dorm room it was entirely and deliberately left up to your integrity.
Tests were typically open book and open note.
Some other characteristics:
1. Professors were not allowed to take attendance or base any part of the grade on attendance.
2. Homework was graded, but that grade had no influence on the course grade. Students were encouraged to use any resource, collaberation, etc., to understand and do the homework correctly.
3. Grades were based on exam scores. Policy was that if you could pass the exams, you got credit for the course even if you never showed up for class.
In essence, the university treated us like adults. They provided an opportunity to get a first class education, and if you didn't take full advantage of that, that was your problem.
The students liked this state of affairs immensely, and if you did cheat (and thereby threaten the honor system) you would be ostracized. Peer pressure can be extremely effective. I don't know anyone who cheated.
For example, I know one student who, 1 hour into a 3 hour exam, fell asleep. He woke up a couple hours later, and finished the exam anyway. But he told the professor what had happened, and the professor was very sorry but he had to fail the student. The student was not angry about this, he blamed himself and took responsibility.
"In essence, the university treated us like adults."
The funny thing is that most adults aren't "treated like adults" if your intention is to compare this with working conditions. There are very few jobs that don't care about attendance at all and only care if you get the project done right and on time. I'm not saying it should be this way but rather just that it is. It could be because most jobs don't employ everyone who is of the same high quality of character as you relate.
Tests were typically open book and open note.
Some other characteristics:
1. Professors were not allowed to take attendance or base any part of the grade on attendance.
2. Homework was graded, but that grade had no influence on the course grade. Students were encouraged to use any resource, collaberation, etc., to understand and do the homework correctly.
3. Grades were based on exam scores. Policy was that if you could pass the exams, you got credit for the course even if you never showed up for class.
In essence, the university treated us like adults. They provided an opportunity to get a first class education, and if you didn't take full advantage of that, that was your problem.
The students liked this state of affairs immensely, and if you did cheat (and thereby threaten the honor system) you would be ostracized. Peer pressure can be extremely effective. I don't know anyone who cheated.
For example, I know one student who, 1 hour into a 3 hour exam, fell asleep. He woke up a couple hours later, and finished the exam anyway. But he told the professor what had happened, and the professor was very sorry but he had to fail the student. The student was not angry about this, he blamed himself and took responsibility.