By keeping students informed of their status in the course there are no surprises at the end of the course.
Greetings Barry,
I relate to my student's desire for feedback and to gauge progress via test and evaluation results. Immediate feedback keeps the interest of the student and allows me, as an instructor to address concerns and gaps in the learning process.
Michael,
Yep, we don't want surprises. And there's really no reason that a student should not know whart expectatations and achievements have occurred in a class at any given moment. Sharing graded information quicly is a courtesy all students deserve. From that information, they can plan, and we can add our advice and support. A teacher never givers a grade, the student earns it. But we should do all we can to inform them where they stand.
Barry Westling
Fonda,
I like rubrics too. Grading needs to assure we are measuring learning, not just giving points in categories. However those categories are derived, a good rubric can give the best hope for objectivity in the grading process.
Barry Westling
Deward,
You're right. I don't think we should minimize the force our words of encouragement and support have when shared sincerely and in a caring way. So, frequent and early on grade updates along with kind words can help convey the teacher cares about the students success.
Barry Westling
I believe it is very important to make sure your students understand the grading system. It is also important that each student knows where they stand within a course. If you keep the students informed there will be no suprises at the end of the course.
I think the rubic is good,it gvies the students a fair chance to gauge their on grade. Also, they are assured that all Instuctors are grading in the same methodology.
I shows that you care and are interested in their success in the course. It is also a bonding for a teacher-learner relationship.
Matthew,
I often write "frequent and regular", refering to communicating course status, grades, etc. with students. This is viewed by some as time consuming, and by others as unnecessary (students should be held accountable). While I understand these sentiments, like a journey, students need feedback to know how and when they will arrive at their destination. Also, personalized discussion helps build trust and respect.
Barry Westling
I think that the students like to be aware of their progress on a regular basis. In the class I teach the students have a "tracking sheet" so as they turn in assignments they are marked on the sheet by me. The students are explained the gradeing on day 1 and keep the tracking sheet throughout the course so they can keep track of their grade/progress. At the end of the course I collect the sheets in order to "double check" my gradebook, because we all know how easy it is to make mistakes.
James,
For me, I try to be "frequent and regular" in my efforts to keep students informed. You're right about informing more while there's time for the student to make corrections and see improvement in their final grade. Also, time to encorage, support, give advice, or sometimes, just listen. These ways helps build relationships, trust, and respect.
Barry Westling
Annie,
Absoutely. Control, and the knowledge to act on that information shared by their instructor is key to the student achieveing higher degrees of performance.
Barry Westling
Its important to keep the students informed of how they are understanding the content as well as letting them know if more effort of perhaps tutoring is needed. The worse thing to do is keep the student in the dark about their grades until the end of the term. At this point it is too late for any method of correction.
I think the student has more control of thier grade if they know were they are at with there grade. They can notice their weaknesses and strenghts are.
Kimberly,
I really like rubrics, least among the reasons is their objectivity that's useful for both teacher and student. Knowing how, why, and to what degree an assignment will be graded shares the expectatation of the teacher along with providing a great template for the student who chooses to align with the instructors purpose in the assignment.
Barry Westling
Grading rubrics can be used as the basis for student evaluations of faculty performance and for faculty assessment of educational outcomes in their courses. Students who understand the meaning of their grades are better able to evaluate how well specific faculty choices about assessment have enabled them to achieve the course goals and objectives. This teaches students to evaluate the process determined by the faculty at the outset of the course and to provide constructive feedback about successes as well as what might be improved.
Geri,
Like a journey, students need feedback on where they're at to get them successfuly to the end.
Barry Westling
It is important for the students to be aware of the grade at all times. The instructor can also suggestion ways to improve on their studey habits.
Yoon Sik,
I too like to give feedback quickly. I think this helps instill trust and respect between the instructor and student as well.
Barry Westling
An immediate feedback is an essential part of learning; as a result, my feedback is almost instantaneous.
Dr. Kim
