I believe this is a good tool format disscussion. Helping assist instructors in using the tools in streamlining the exams. We use a test bank the offers the instructors many different ways to create tests. Therefore this will decrease the amount of time to grade them using a scan tron.
Sounds like a great plan Thomas! At first, you might feel a little stressed as you learn the Blackboard process. But this system is designed to save you time and you'll quickly begin to benefit.
I have yet to master posting tests on Blackboard for computer grading and this is what I will do this next quarter to save time and reduce stress.
Based on the module, I think I'm doing pretty well! I do need to organize my materials better, and standardize my separate grading systems for the different classes that I teach. Doing it right the first time is a good lesson for me. I need to nail down each class and streamline my materials for making copies, ordering product, and assigning homework. These things would be much easier for me if I could teach fewer classes more often!
Dr. Melissa:
In teaching online I add comments to guide the student in posting more succinct discussion board posts. I also read the articles in their links recommended and provide a brief comment to guide them in their search for documents that support the questions in the task. I have found that student posts are more focused and less wordy. This saves me time in grading.
Wanda
Leveraging these tools is a great way to streamline the grading process Beth. I'm glad to hear you already have a good system in place.
Based on what I have learned in this module, I will not change anything as I use exams and homework which are produced by the software from the textbook company. They provide keys and it sure has made my job as an instructor easier.
That's a great plan Kate. You will be amazed at how much time you can save by just looking for the underlined portions of the text. And this method can also help your students focus on fully answering your questions.
As a writing and humanities instructor, I have volumes of papers to grade. I think I will take the suggestion made in the module and have students underline what they think are their important points and limit the amount they can underline.
I continue to use long answer, discussion/explaination questions. They ARE more time consuming to grade, but it gives me a better understanding of what my students are learning. Just remember to have the final projects turned in several days before the end of the quarter to allow grading time before final grades have to be in.
Jon,
When I was being trained to teach while I was earning my Master's degree, the comp director indicated that we should avoid having students grade each other's work. He indicated that the students who didn't do very well on the test or assignment would probably become embarrassed and would negatively impact the student's participation and attitude. One argument could be made that the students would then try harder to do better, but I think in many instances if the student did the best he or she could, the student could become very discouraged.
I teach composition, so my exams and assignments are all essay. What I will do differently is design a rubric for the exams and assignments, so that I will be more uniform in how I grade them. Some parts of the essay, however, will need to be graded subjectively, and I don't know how I can grade those parts any differently.
Does anyone have any suggestions about streamlining the grading on the subjective parts of an essay?
I have already designed a grading rubric, which is quite comprehensive, for the research project. I need to work on my rubric to streamline it. Right now, it is four pages long.
In the course, a suggestion was made to have the students underline key points within the essay; I think that suggestion is an excellent one and one that I will incorporate in my next exam essay.
:)
Colleen
I teach online courses so we already utilize a grade book of sorts and classroom management. I think that if I take the time to organize myself at the beginning of the session, it will help to improve my ability to grade more quickly. We have standardized tasks (as far as exams and homework) that I am not able to alter.
I try to utilize the electronic/online assignment forum. Maybe a call in to some publishers to gather additional resources.
I love the transparency sheet method Lois. That really speeds the grading process and allows you to delegate grading to anyone who can match things up. Thanks for sharing. What a great idea!
I currently use:
•True and False questions- I copy my answer sheet (with the correct answers darkly shaded) on to a transparency sheet (commonly used for overheads). I then place the transparency answer sheet over the student’s answers sheet. I then can tell at a glance if the student’s answer is wrong.
•Fill in the blank questions- I have a column of potential answers numbered on the left hand column and use the transparency to grade their answer sheet.
I will use the suggested format:
When I assign homework I will review the homework in class with the students grading each other’s homework. I think this method will encourage the student to complete their assignment. This method should also generate more discussion. Lois
I currently use accounting problems as homework assignments in my accounting classes. I typically look at their "bottom line" first to see if the answer is correct, then I go back and review procedure (quickly for correct answers and more in-depth for incorrect answers). I like the suggestion of having students write their answers to short answer items beside the question instead of underneath. I can see how that could improve my grading time, and I think I am going to employ that technique for my next set of exams.
I never thought about using a table format for short answer, multiple choice, and true/false tests. I now see how using this format makes grading easier and faster.
I actually feel that I have a handle on my exams within several of my classes. I struggle with time management with grading required discussion board though? Students within one of my courses are required to write several discussion for a grade. How can I better utilize these tips within something of that nature?
Rachel
I really like your labeling exercise idea Andrea! What a great approach - if only you could use it.
