Jeffrey, This is a great method and I do recommend you give it a try. It's great for grading but also for the students because it helps them focus on the most important portions of their answers.
Dr. Melissa Read
I will try to make all exams multiply choice when possible to help with grading and look for homework assigments that also provide multiply choice answers. Using scantron sheets makes it a lot easier to grade.
Andrew, Leveraging a scantron will be a huge time saver. It make take a little time investment to get into the swing of things and learn how to use the scantron machine. Once you've got a good system in place you'll be golden.
Dr. Melissa Read
William, That sounds like a great approach. Simply converting your quizzes to an online format can save you a tremendous amount of time. Once you are comfortable with doing this, you might also consider moving exams and even homework assignments to this format. For online exams, you can still administer them in the school environment by using a computer lab.
Dr. Melissa Read
I will incorporate more multiple choice test questions and have students grade their homework themselves as a class.
I would definitely use the short answer questions and when possible the underlining of important facts in essay type questions in order to overcome the "burden" of home work grading.
I have seen the errors of my current way of making test and quizzes, I will try scantron when possible it would be a great time saver.
I am going to make on line quizes for my students. This will free up my time in the grading process. This second part will help me in the up coming term.
At the college where I teach, the syllabus, test format, and grading using scan tron sheets is preset by our college president.
It currently takes the time to run the scan trons through the machine and grade them by hand if someone fails (to verify that a computer error in reading the scan tron did not occur).
I will be trying to convert more of my exams and homework to computerized systems. As of now, about 20% of my assignments and exams are computerized, and that portion definitely helps out with time management. By increasing the computerized assignments to 50% or so, I'll be able to grade more efficiently.
i do feel that the way the other instructors and my self prepare and grade our tests fall under the catgory of efficent but i will take specific time to myself for grading
I will use the method of allowing students to grade others papers. Students dont like this much because they dont want others to see their grade but this is more streamline.
Joy, So glad to hear you found a grading tool that works great for you. Yes, I agree with your points on feedback. One of the greatest things about these tools is the way they give both students and teachers real-time results. Both parties can act on the information and drive changes that improve performance.
Dr. Melissa Read
One of the courses I teach is a beginning math class. We have an online program that automatically grades homework. I like it because students can see their scores immediately and know which concepts they need to review. I can also easily see which concepts the class is struggling with. But most importantly, it is a HUGE time saver for me! I was reluctant to use it at first (no one likes change), but now that I am familiar with it, I don't know where I'd be without it!
Jaime, Yes, sharing with fellow instructors is a wonderful practice. Not only do you spread the benefits of templates, tools and systems you've put into place, you also often get a lot of the same materials back from them. These can be great to learn from.
Dr. Melissa Read
I try to make my tests fairly easy to grade for myself by using true and false and matching. I have them saved so I can alter if i need to but its easy for me to grab and go. Sharing with other instructors is a good way to make more time as well
Jesse, Yes, highlighting and underlining can be a wonderful technique to both speed grading and focus your students on the most important portions of their answers. It's a win win!
Dr. Melissa Read
The course I am teaching always had an A and B test the confusion when going over the test was a big stress. I learned that an A test is ok and now all the tests are one type, if I feel that a student is cheating then I have the option to give a B test.
I have been using multiple choice and scantrons for tests for a while. However, I can definitely use the highlighting of main points for the students when homework assignments include short-answer questions.
Anna Marie, Yes this is true -- to an extent. Sometimes multitasking makes sense and speeds our process. Other times, it limits our ability to do any one task well. It's important to carefully assess the difference.
Dr. Melissa Read
