EGB
By keeping the Electronic grade Book current, I am able to quick reference students' progress and advise them of any trouble areas.
I print a progress report after each test. This not only gives the student their test score, but also brings them up to date on the other aspects of their progress.
Eric,
Yes, the EGB can provide information, but is really limited in terms of personalized connection with the student, such as coaching, giving advice, offering suggestions -- these are ways to improve the students performance, and also help build mutual trust and respect.
Barry Westling
I also found its a good tool to coach the students in there weak areas and guide them to better understanding of the material.
Jviveros,
Good. That personal touch individualizes the student/teacher relationship, and helps build trust that the instructor cares about the success of their students.
Barry Westling
Electronic grade books are great I keep it up every day and I give progress reports after every test and advisement forms if needed, I also talk to them about their in class and lab work.
Don,
What I like is that even though grades are instantly available and current up to the moment, you are still meeting with students. As wonderful as the EGB is, it potentially omits that important component of the instructor interaction, where sharing advice, suggestions, and giving support and encouragement can instill the trust and respect for one another, along with the common goals of working towards the highest student achievement possible.
Barry Westling
Using an electronic grade book has so many advantages. The school that I teach at grades the students in three categories which are class, lab and professionalism. The student must have a 70% in all three individual categories to pass the class. The instructor is responsible for tracking these grades along with tracking attendance for each individual student. The electronic grade book will allow us to print individual progress reports for each student at any time which shows all grades and attendance along with missed assignments, points needed to pass, points available and future assignments and tests that have yet to be completed in the course. I will usually print two progress reports. One for me that I have the student sign showing that we discussed their grades and one for the student that they can keep. This helps cover the instructor if the student complains that he never saw his grades.
Darrell,
Conformance to classroom standards is often a common challenge for instructors who what to maintain the best learning environment, and hold students accountable for their behavior. Interestingly, some instructors fail (or choose) not to put emphasis on this category, yet in the work setting, professional behavior and compliance with work rules contribute more to employer dissatisfaction than do the technical aspects of a job.
Barry Westling
I also keep my EGB updated daily to provide answers that my students may have. At the beginning of each module, I instruct and provide the formula's so that each student will have the ability to track their own progress. Do they? Most do not but that's ok, I have provided them with the information.
I keep each student up to date on their grades 3 times during the 3 week module.
Questions are usually not brought up until after the student has received their grade sheet. Then we step aside and I pull up my EGB for that module and I show them their information. Sometimes they are surprised when they see the information mostly concerning Professionalism, it is then that they realize that taking all those smoke breaks and cell phone calls/texts really affect their Professionalism.
Jerome,
Great. Instant access is a good benefit for students, and in way, teaches being accountable to get information for themselves. I still like to connect with students to share my opinion about their status and what they can do to improve.
Barry Westling
I enter test scores, lab grades and attendance records as they are completed, which gives students daily access to their progress.
Robert,
Terrific. I think that's the best use of electronic grade books. Students want to know their grades, but to the instructor, it's great to examine trends and trouble spots, hopefully, early on. Also, converting to Excel can further organize data for better analysis.
Barry Westling
