Hi Karen:
Electronic gradebooks are great for instructors that have access to them. What they limit is the personal touch. To some degree, perhaps that is the point, the ability to post grades seamlessly for the student to examine at their convenience.
But progress in a course can be improved with frequent and personal discussion with a student. Offering advice, suggestions for improvement allows 1-on-1 feed back and improves the communication with students. Although comments can be made electronically, the personal touch helps convey care and interest in seeing the student achieve their best.
A combination of both may be the best approach. In many courses, trust and respect for the teachers abilities to teach students is greatly improved when personal assistance is shared in abundance.
Regards, Barry
All students, but especially those in career colleges, want to know how they are doing. Students want to know that they are doing well and that their hard work is getting them somewhere. My institution uses an electronic gradebook which enables students to check their grades at any time. It also allows e-mail communication between students and instructors which is very useful should a question arise. It is also useful for reminding students of upcoming tests or quizzes. Additionally, all assignments are also posted so if a student is absent, they can still complete some of the assignments on time. I love using this electronic gradebook because of all the "extras" it has.
Karen
Hi Brandon:
Of course sharing course status is beneficial. I think more frequent and personal contact works the best for me. Frequent updates allow me to guage progress, and leave enough time for correction to have an impact on the students grade. It also reinforces trust and respect for each other.
Regards, Barry
Hi Georgie:
For me, frequent and personal discussions regarding student performance provide the best method for me to share suggestions and advice, and still have time for any correction to have an impact on the students grade. This usually helps build trust and respect between the student and teacher as well.
Regards, Barry
Hi Manuel:
For me, frequent and personal discussions with students help develop a rapport, build trust, and provide an opportunity to offer advice and suggestions to achieve better student outcomes.
Regards, Barry
Because grades are primarily a way to measure a students’ progress and understanding of the course material it's important that they know their grade throughout the course. So students can learn how to organize their time and prioritizes their personal life to include school.
I feel this is one of the most important things I do. It helps the students either stay on track or get themselves up to speed. I discuss grades at midterm in a written, formal way, and give them guidance for how to improve, if that is needed. Also, no student can tell me that they "didn't know" they were failing or getting poor grades at the end of the term.
They also need feedback as to their progress in the course. They will continue to make the same mistakes without it.
It shows the student the areas were they need to improve the most .And lets the instructor see problematic areas wich need more attention.Also it keeps the student informed on how they are doing.
Keeping a student informed throughout the course allow them stay focused on their work and status in the class. This also keeps them motivated.
It allows the student to know where they stand in the class, the areas they need to improve on and where extra credit can be assigned to help the student have a better understanding of the information that should have been obtained.
This way students know where they stand. This is one of the great things about online courses because students can go in and see the assignments that have been graded, get immediate feedback and know their scores. They can then contact me if there are questions or discrepancies. Some students are great at keeping track of their status on assignments and tests/quizzes. Some students let it slip and don't pay attention until later in the course. It's always interesting to see both types.
Hi Barbara:
I believe frequent and personal status updates are important and help foster trust and also provide an opportunity to give on-course correction if needed while there is still time for advice or suggestions for improvement to make a difference.
Regards, Barry
Hi Barbara:
I agree that all assignments should be clearly outlined with expectations for grading stated at the beginning of a course. Giving students a resource to revieew as an example can be helpful in meeting the teachers expectations.
Critical thinking assignments result in more remembered and significant learning and sometimes pose a grater challenge for grading. Rubrics can help, and encouraging students along the way is helpful in getting more original thoght into the students work.
Regards, Barry
so they can focus on how the are doing.
If assignments are created to allow students to fairly apply what they have learned, that is half the battle. I have seen projects that go way beyond what has been taught; and then students are encouraged to try. This is setting them up for failure.
The design of projects and assignments must involve challenge and critical thinking. When students succeed in this type of arena, they are "amazed" at what they know.
I have found that students are move involved in difficult projects because they appreciate the challenge to succeed; success in that sense is more appreciated.
If assignments are created to allow students to fairly apply what they have learned, that is half the battle. I have seen projects that go way beyond what has been taught; and then students are encouraged to try. This is setting them up for failure.
The design of projects and assignments must involve challenge and critical thinking. When students succeed in this type of arena, they are "amazed" at what they know.
I have found that students are move involved in difficult projects because they appreciate the challenge to succeed; success in that sense is more appreciated.
It is important to keep students informed of their status in the course at all times because they need to know.
You can't wait until final week to inform them that they have not met their competencies. More importantly, if we do not know where our weaknesses are, we are doomed to failure. Seeing where mistakes may have been made is a proactive stance to take.
As an instructor, I appreciate and invite critique so that I know how I am doing - good, bad or indifferent.
Day-to-day assessment is important for students. Obviously, they are in school for a reason: to succeed. As an instructor, I try to do everything humanly possible to see that they realize their goal.
SO THEY KNOW THEIR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. AND SO YOU CAN HELP THEM IMPROVE WHERE NECCESSARY
It is important for students to know what they have missed and what grade will they get ..i generally have a midterm one - one meeting with student to show the grades and tell them where they stand. this way i get a feedback from the student on whether they understand the class or if they need additional lecture time.
Also i let them know each week if they missed any assignment -
Informing students of their status in the course help the student keep up with learning activites and keep up with attention of what is taking place in the course. It also makes the student aware that the instructor realizes were they are in the learning and activities for the class.
