I Must Get My Grades In
Sometimes I have a class that ends on a Thursday night. While grades are not officially due until Monday at noon, it is preferred that grades are in by Friday afternoon so Monday morning reports can be run.
Under these circumstances, whenever I have given a test that includes a written component, I work frantically to "power read" and grade the essays. Then, I am upset with myself for not giving a Scantron test.
Any ideas how to include and grade a written assignment under sever time constraints?
Hi Steven, Wow that is quite a challenge! I also swear by rubrics, especially for essay assignments. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I've found this method works best for me as well. I have a general education course that I teach, where both the midterm and final HAVE to be term papers. Said class has an average enrollment of 20-30 students, and, for the final, I have a maximum of 24 hours to submit grades. The ONLY way I'm able to accomplish this is through a detailed rubric.
Under those time restraints, I would hae the written component as a test and leave the final exam as a scantron. Not too much time....btw Do we work for the same institution? : )
It is difficult when a course ends on Thursday. But I found that the testing and grading is what takes the most of the time. When do we get the time to do all of this?
Hi Linda - That is a great idea Linda! It allows all of the class to see how they can improve their writing skills by seeing how other students may have handled the assignment. Susan
I teach a writing class, with papers needing to be submitted weekly. It's easy to get behind, but unfair to students expected to better their work weekly.
As I can't always write detailed, complete reviews of each paper, I have begun to discuss each paper in class as I return them to students. Breaking a legal research paper into its components (issue and factual statements, applicable legal rule, analysis and conclusion), I can call on certain students who really did well on individual sections to either read their sections out loud to the class or describe how they went about writing that portion. The technique is new in my class, but early results are promising.
I normally grae my assignments during class when I have test going.I would give them busy work while i'm grading on test days. I try to set aside a certain time each day to do grades so that I won't get behind. This has been very helpful for me.
Using the rubrics is a great way to get a eaiser idea if the student covered what material you wanted on the paper. Plus it is a great tool for them. Sometimes I let them grade eachothers using the rubrics. Gives different feedback.
Hi Lawrence - Thanks for your post to the forum. I feel your pain!! I make sure to include a detailed rubric for writing students that is given to students in advance. I find that it makes grading writing assignments easier - either the student did XYZ or did not. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
