The lab instructor divided the class into pairs of students and assigned each pair a workbench where they were to perform the lab exercises. In the opinion of the lab instructor, working in pairs was not only more efficient but was also more enlightening than working alone. Three students working together, however, did not give each student the opportunity to gain the skills portended by the lab objectives.

Bill and Jim were assigned as lab partners, but after the first week Jim dropped the class. Bill had become well acquainted with Jon and Sallie who had been assigned to the adjacent bench. All three felt comfortable working together and they soon became a threesome. Typically, one partner would connect and operate the equipment, the second would record the data, and Bill would watch. Jon and Sallie tried to get Bill to take turns running the equipment, recording the data and observing. But Bill insisted on just observing. When an assignment was completed, the team would call the instructor who asked a few questions, had them perform some of the targeted skills, and initialed their reports. Bill would always offer his report to be initialed as though he had participated fully in the work.

Questions:

Was Bill taking advantage of Jon's and Sallie's expertise?

Is that the same as cheating?

Should Bill receive the same grade as Jon and Sallie?

Is Bill as fully prepared for the workplace as Jon and Sallie?